Oxford United picked up maximum points this week as they continued their push for the playoffs. It is now just one defeat in their last 16 games in all competitions after their loss at Doncaster Rovers last weekend.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Maximum Points for the U’s
Three Points Picked up at Bristol Rovers
On Tuesday night, Oxford United recorded a league double over Bristol Rovers for the first time since the 1992/93 season with a 2-0 win.
The U’s won the home reverse by the same scoreline last month thanks to a brace from former Gas striker Matty Taylor. On Tuesday, it was deadline day signings Elliot Lee and Brandon Barker on the scoresheet.
The hosts started brightly but, as has been a problem all season, they weren’t clinical enough in front of goal. It proved costly as Oxford took the lead with a brilliant finish from Lee after a first time ball over the top from James Henry.
Sam Winnall hit the bar and Rovers squandered further opportunities before Barker added a second in second-half injury time with a fine finish from a tight angle.
The win moved the U’s up to ninth in League One and just three points off the playoffs ahead of a home game against strugglers Wigan Athletic.
Wigan Worries Continue as Oxford Take Maximum Points
The U’s were due to face Wigan on Saturday but the game was postponed due to a frozen pitch. As a result, the match was delayed 24 hours and played on Sunday instead.
And the drama didn’t stop there. After a goalless first half, the second half was delayed for over 40 minutes after one of the floodlights caught fire. The stadium was evacuated before the players eventually returned to the field.
Wigan took the lead through Callum Lang but a bullet header from Sam Winnall and an effort which was bundled home by captain Elliott Moore sealed the win for the U’s.
The victory lifts Oxford up to seventh in the table, just one point off the playoffs.
Oxford Duo Nominated for Monthly Awards While Manager Linked With Bournemouth Role
On Wednesday, Oxford United manager Karl Robinson and left-back Josh Ruffels were shortlisted for the League One Manager and Player of the Month for January.
Robinson led the U’s to five wins from five in January, with four coming in the league. During that run, Ruffels scored three and added two assists on top of keeping two cleans sheets.
However, the duo were beaten to the award by Hull City manager Grant McCann and Rochdale midfielder Matty Lund. Robinson and goalkeeper Jack Stevens missed out in December having been shortlisted then also.
On the same day, John Cross of The Mirror reported that Championship outfit Bournemouth had identified Robinson as a potential replacement for Jason Tindall.
However, the report suggested that the Oxford boss was some way down on the list with the Cherries interviewing Patrick Vieira and David Wagner, while John Terry and Frank Lampard were also in the running.
Injury Update
During the win over Bristol Rovers, Sam Long and Henry were both substituted off, while Lee ended the game with a tight calf.
During the week, Robinson confirmed that Long had a hamstring issue, while Henry only suffered a dead leg. Of the three, only Lee returned against the Latics.
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