This time last season Matt Bloomfield took over a struggling Luton side few thought would go down and ended up in League One, so is he really the man to haul Oxford back from five points adrift to Championship safety? We asked U’s fan Adam England…
How’s the season been for Oxford so far?
It’s been a disappointing season so far, particularly given the expectations of progress under Gary Rowett. There was quiet optimism that Oxford might even outperform predictions and push towards mid-table, but that hasn’t materialised. While the summer signings undoubtedly improved the squad on paper, Rowett struggled to turn that added quality into consistent performances or results. Early home defeats to Portsmouth and an away loss at Hull set the tone, and that inconsistency became a recurring theme — every promising result was followed by a poor display. Ultimately, that lack of momentum is why Oxford find themselves where they are in the table.
Oxford in the league so far…
Oxford 0-1 Portsmouth Segecic 38
Hull 3-2 Oxford Helhardt 2, Crook1s 20, McBurnie 90 – Lankshear 9, Brannagan 26
Birmingham 1-0 Oxford Seung-Ho 40
Oxford 2-2 Coventry Lankshear 18, Brannagan 75 – Wright 12, Torp 37
Oxford 2-2 Leicester Lankshear 9, Soumare og 44 – Ayew 13, Pereira 55
Bristol City 1-3 Oxford Mehmeti 53 – Prelec 19, Placheta 45, Leigh 90
Oxford 0-1 Sheff Utd O’Hare 65
QPR 0-0 Oxford
Watford 2-1 Oxford Ngakia 45, 45 – Alleyne og 3
Oxford 1-0 Derby Mills 24
Wrexham 1-0 Oxford Broadhead 14
Sheff Wed 1-2 Oxford Fusire 53 – Lankshear 12, Brannagan 36
Oxford 2-2 Millwall Brannagan 45, Placheta 90 – Ballo 11, Cooper 66
Oxford 0-3 Stoke Baker 10, 48, Nzonzi 32
West Brom 2-1 Oxford leigh og 56, Heggebo 70 – Lankshear 54
Oxford 1-1 Boro Harris 28 – Whittaker 54
Norwich 1-1 Oxford Makama 29 – Krastev 90
Oxford 2-1 Ipswich Harris 24, Placheta 77 – Davis 53
Swansea 2-0 Oxford Stamenic 40, Tymon 45
Blackburn 1-1 OxfordCantwell pen 78 – Brown 45
Oxford 1-2 Preston De Keersmaecker 53 – Storey 26, Jebbison 49
Charlton 1-0 Oxford Kelman 78
Oxford 2-1 Southampton Goodrham 23, Mills 89 – Harwood-Bellis 29
Oxford 0-1 Swansea Vipotnik 13
Ipswich 2-1 Oxford Philogene 17, Akpom 40 – Lankshear 34
Oxford 0-0 Bristol City
We had you staying up, just, in our season preview, mainly because Gary Rowett would get you there, he's now been sacked - why?
Gary Rowett was let go largely due to the team’s inability to gain momentum in the first half of the season. Although Oxford rarely suffered heavy defeats, they frequently found themselves on the wrong side of narrow losses, failing to convert close matches into positive results. Additionally, there was a significant disagreement between Rowett and the board regarding the January transfer strategy. Rowett preferred to invest the budget in experienced Championship players who could deliver immediate impact, while the board favoured younger talents with future resale value. This fundamental conflict couldn’t be resolved in time for the transfer window, and ultimately, the board’s vision prevailed – as you can see by our incomings so far. That led to a mutual and amicable parting of ways, with both sides seemingly content. Rowett was the right manager for the previous season, and hopefully, Matt Bloomfield will be the right fit to move the club forward.
January transfer business done so far and still to come?
Oxford have been very active in the January transfer window so far. The club faced a clear strategic choice: invest in experienced Championship players, which was Gary Rowett’s preferred approach, or focus on younger talent with development and resale potential. The board have opted firmly for the latter, choosing to invest in the future while still aiming to retain Championship status. As a result, Oxford have brought in several exciting young players from both domestic and overseas markets, signalling a long-term vision rather than short-term fixes. I'm really excited to see how this is going to pan out... I'm positive.
Summer Ins >>> Brian De Keersmaecker, 25, CM, Heracles, Undisclosed >>> Brodie Spencer, 21, RB, Huddersfield, Undisclosed >>> Filip Krastev, 23, AM, Lommel, Loan >>> Will Lankshear, 20, CF, Spurs, Loan >>> Nic Prelec, 24, CF, Cagliari, Loan >>> Luke Harris, 20, AM, Fulham, Loan >>> Ben Davies, 30, CB, Rangers, Loan
Summer Outs >>> Josh McEachran, 32, CM, Bristol Rovers, Free >>> Idris El Mizouni, 24, CM, Orient, Undisclosed >>> Ruben Rodrigues, 28, AM, Vitoria, Undisclosed >>> Stuart Findlay, 29, CB, Hearts, Loan >>> Will Goodwin, 23, CF, Colchester, Loan >>> Jordan Thorniley, 28, CB, Northampton, Loan >>> Max Woltman, 21, CF, Released >>> >>> Elliott Moore, 28, CB, Released Joe Bennett, 35, LB, Released >>> Peter Kioso, 26, RB, Peterborough, Loan >>> Owen Dale, 26, RW, Plymouth, Loan >>> Stuart Findlay, 29, CB, Hearts, Loan >>> Marselino Ferdinan, 20, AM, Trencin, Loan >>> Stephan Negru, 23, CB, Bristol Rovers, Loan >>> James Golding, 21, CB, Crewe, Loan
Winter Ins >>> Jamie McDonnell, 21, DM, Forest, £1m >>> Myles Peart-Harris, 23, AM, Brentford, Undisclosed >>> Yunus Konak, 20, DM, Brentford, Loan >>> Jamie Donley, 20, AM, Spurs, Loan
Winter Outs >>> Louie Sibley, 24, CM, Bradford, Loan >>> Jacob Knightbridge, 21, GK, Totton, Loan
Where is the team strong and weak?
It’s still early days under Matt Bloomfield, but the first match against Bristol City revealed some encouraging signs, particularly defensively. Throughout the season, Oxford have struggled with conceding soft goals—goals that weren’t expected given the quality of centre-backs Helik and Brown. On the attacking side, the team has also faced challenges. The on-loan striker Lankshear from Spurs has been promising, scoring seven goals so far, he’s an "old fashioned" (in the very best way) centre-forward with a bright future. However, the team has struggled to provide him with consistent service. Ultimately, Lankshear’s goal-scoring form will be crucial for our survival in the league.
Will you stay up?
The U's are staying up! Opting for a new manager in Matt Bloomfield and investing in young talent is undoubtedly a gamble. However, Oxford United is a well-run club, and there’s reason to trust that the right decisions are being made. Ultimately, that sound management will need to translate into tangible results, and the club will need to start picking up points soon. Hopefully, those crucial first three points will come tonight... The comeback starts here.
Got to admire the positivity. Is there not a concern though that Matt Bloomfield took Luton down last year, who had far greater resources and proven players?
Yes... From what I remember it took him a few games to start getting a tune out of Luton last year and we need him to hit the ground running- being five points from safety. But I think positivity comes from having a choice... Realistically we're going down but if we can just hang on in there and not get cut adrift... We would only be a run of games away from an unlikely survival. So-for now - I'm staying positive.
Links >>> Sheff Wed Awayday – Patreon Podcast >>> Oxford official website >>> Oxford Mail — Local Press >>> Last Word on Sport —Blog >>> Vital Oxford — Blog >>> Yellows Forum — Message Board >>> The Fence End — Podcast >>> T’Manor — Podcast
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