2020 was one of mixed emotions for Oxford United but they’ll be looking to start the new year brightly. The U’s reached the League One play-off final in July after finishing the curtailed season in fourth. However, defeat in the Wembley showdown against Wycombe Wanderers ended what was a positive season both on and off the field.
The hangover from that defeat must have lingered into the new season. Karl Robinson’s side picked up just three league wins from their opening ten games, losing the other seven.
Oxford United Looking to Start New Year With a Positive Result
U’s Found Form During December
Although Oxford made a slow start to the season, December seemed to be a turning point for the U’s as they went six league games unbeaten.
Oxford managed draws against sixth-placed Ipswich Town, league leaders Hull City and in-form Blackpool before winning three games in succession against Northampton Town, AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle respectively.
During the run, the U’s conceded just three goals and kept four clean sheets, having failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since February.
Key Changes
Following their derby defeat against Swindon Town at the end of November, Robinson made several changes to his team, most notably dropping the experienced Simon Eastwood in goal and replacing him with Jack Stevens.
Stevens’ first game came against the Tractor Boys and he helped his side to their first clean sheet of the season. A 1-1 draw against Hull followed before three more clean sheets against Blackpool, Northampton and Wimbledon.
Another positive move was dropping summer signing Sean Clare. Although the former Heart of Midlothian man was brought in as a right-back, he clearly struggled to make the position his own and was caught out far too often. Sam Long replaced him, having played a key role in the centre and left of defence when the squad lost key players to injury, and hasn’t put a foot wrong since his introduction.
Upcoming Fixtures in the New Year
The U’s first game of the new year comes at bottom club, Burton Albion. The Brewers have conceded the highest amount of goals in the league with 45, and an in-form Oxford team could severely punish the leagues’ strugglers.
Robinson’s side were then due to face Doncaster Rovers, but that match has since been postponed due to an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the South Yorkshire side.
As a result, the U’s will have to wait two weeks before their next league game – a visit to Northampton – before three matches in a week against Bristol Rovers, Rochdale and Fleetwood Town respectively.
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