On Saturday, Oxford United played their final game at the Kassam Stadium this season. Goals from Marcus Browne and James Henry looked to have the U’s on course for victory over Doncaster Rovers, but Nico Jones’ own goal midway through the second half earned a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
What did we learn about Karl Robinson’s side from this game?
Things We Learnt From Oxford United’s Draw Against Doncaster Rovers
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Since a 1-0 defeat at Gillingham early in March, Oxford are unbeaten in nine league games. They’ve picked up 21 points in ten games, something bettered only by promotion-chasing Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic, whilst automatic promotion hopefuls Barnsley have picked up the same number of points.
Key players returning from injuries have been key during this spell. Obviously, all squads suffer injuries across a season, but Oxford have not been blessed with a large squad.
That said, the players that have come in have excelled and helped this side push forward.
This showed on Saturday with Rob Hall returning, albeit only for ten minutes. Simon Eastwood in goal has been key, and the likes of Josh Ruffels, Cameron Brannagan and Sam Long have all been putting in solid shifts, as they did against Doncaster.
Nico Jones
A youth graduate, Nico Jones made his debut at Shrewsbury Town on Easter Monday.
On Saturday, the 17-year-old made his full debut at the Kassam. Despite conceding an unfortunate own goal which gifted a below-par Doncaster a point, the young centre-back showed maturity in his role.
Partnered alongside Curtis Nelson, the pair were solid. It looks like Nelson may be off in the summer, but if Jones manages to keep his head down and put in some decent performances, the youngster could feature more for Karl Robinson’s side next season.
Cameron Brannagan
In his first full professional season, Cameron Brannagan has rarely put a foot wrong.
The former Liverpool youngster joined last season but didn’t feature too often. This season, the 22-year-old has put in a series of consistent performances. At the start of the campaign, he often played in a deeper role. During this time, results were poor for the U’s, but since he’s moved further up the field, results and creativity in chances have become apparent. Once again, this showed in this performance against Rovers.
Karl Robinson
Like Brannagan, Oxford boss Robinson has improved as the season has gone on.
Tactically, he’s had to change throughout the season to compensate for injuries and suspensions, and most of the time it has paid off.
It was the case, not just against Doncaster, but in both Easter fixtures too. Oxford suffered dismissals in both games, but he made the right changes at the right time.
Saturday wasn’t so much about the changes, but the tactics and football he plays. He knows how to play ugly and get results and, when just ten or so games ago his side were facing relegation, it now looks like the U’s will finish closer to the play-offs than the drop.
Goals
Oxford have struggled for goals this season. Many fans were concerned about the lack of an out and out striker after the injury to Jon Obika.
Failed loan signings in Sam Smith and Jonte Smith sum that up. The U’s top scorer is James Henry, an attacking midfielder but, what’s helped this season, as we saw on Saturday, is that the whole team can chip in with goals. Winger Gavin Whyte netted a hat-trick on Monday, defender Curtis Nelson has notched in four, whilst reformed left-back and fan favourite Ruffels has added to his tally with late goals. Jerome Sinclair should have added to his four but had a second-half goal wrongly ruled out for offside.
Henry added another to his collection on Saturday, as did winger Marcus Browne, who’s on loan from West Ham United.
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