Oxford United ended the week with defeat against promotion rivals, Plymouth Argyle. Elsewhere, some of the U’s players featured on international duty, the club released their finances for the previous year and a Premier League club have been linked with a move for an Oxford defender.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Defeat Against Promotion Rival, Defender Linked With Tottenham and Club Losses
Smyth Features Against France U21s
Oxford midfielder Oisin Smyth played 45 minutes as Northern Ireland U21s lost in a friendly match against France.
The 21-year-old started the game but was one of several changes at the break with the hosts 1-0 down, before going on to lose the match 5-0.
Oxford United Midfielder Named in FourFourTwo Magazine’s Top 50 EFL Players
On Tuesday, Oxford midfielder Cameron Brannagan was named among the top 50 players in the English Football League.
The 25-year-old, who has already scored a career-high 13 goals this season, came in at 47 on the list, which is comprised of players from the Championship to League Two.
He was the lowest-ranked player from League One, which includes the likes of Wigan Athletic duo James McClean and Will Keane, with MK Dons midfielder Scott Twine the highest from the division in 11th.
Former Oxford defender Rob Dickie came in at number ten while Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic claimed the number one spot.
Club Announces Loss of £3.8 Million
On Wednesday, Oxford United announced the club had suffered a loss of £3.8 million over the last 12 months.
The figures included a season played almost entirely behind closed doors as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, matchday income from gate receipts, retail and hospitality was drastically reduced, with fans streaming the games on iFollow.
In a statement, the club said: “The club are grateful to fans who have returned in record numbers this season, and to our shareholders in funding our losses during an unprecedented and very difficult year.”
The previous accounts showed a profit of £1.5 million helped largely by the sales of Gavin Whyte, Shandon Baptiste and Tariqe Fosu.
The club also sold Dickie to Queens Park Rangers, with reports suggesting the transfer was around the £2 million mark. However, the club’s turnover fell from £6.6 million to £5.96 million, while the expenditure grew from £9.95 million to £10.87 million.
Elsewhere, the Oxford Mail revealed the club paid £171,934 in agents’ fees between February 2021 and January 2022.
The figure is down from £298,576 in the previous 12 months, with the club behind eight other sides in the division.
Academy Retained and Released List Announced
Oxford later revealed which academy players would remain at the club, with five youngsters being released.
Clinton Nosakhare, Adam Smith and Ben Watt, all of whom featured in the Football League Trophy, were among the group of players to depart the club. Youth team captain Mac Masters and Elijah Cole have also been released.
Meanwhile, promising youngster Tyler Goodrham will stay with the club for an additional 12 months. The 18-year-old has impressed while on loan at Hayes & Yeading United and Slough Town respectively.
Goalkeeper Eddie Brearey and defender James Golding will also remain with the club, who are still to make decisions on Will Owens and Josh Anifowose.
McNally Targeted by Tottenham
According to Football Insider, U’s defender Luke McNally has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur.
The report claims that Spurs have been monitoring the 22-year-old but with a rival club tabling a £2 million offer, they have now upped their interest.
McNally joined the U’s from St Patrick’s Athletic in January 2021 and has gone on to become an important player for the club.
In recent years, Oxford have been known to sign young players and sell them on for a significant fee, and McNally appears to be the next player to make the move.
Oxford United Lose Against Promotion Rivals
Oxford dropped out of the playoffs with defeat at promotion rivals Plymouth Argyle. The U’s were awarded a penalty in the first half but the officials wrongly awarded an offside in the build-up.
The Pilgrims netted after the break with their only shot on target. Results elsewhere meant the U’s dropped to seventh ahead of a trip to Morecambe on Tuesday night.
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