This week has been one of positivity for Oxford United, but there have been elements of frustration also.
The club’s search for a site for a potential new stadium may have hit a stumbling block but chairman Grant Ferguson has confirmed there is an alternative plan.
On the pitch, one midfielder has been made available for loan before another picked up a knee injury. The U’s have also made their first signing of the January transfer window.
Karl Robinson’s side then picked up a point at Hillsborough in a goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Stadium Update, New Addition and League One Draw
“Stratfield Brake hasn’t gone away as an option.”#oufc board members addressed plans for a new stadium at last night’s fans’ forumhttps://t.co/knugzH2EDR pic.twitter.com/hEbG0tdSpu
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 13, 2022
Stadium Update From Oxford Chairman
Oxford United remain hopeful in their search for a new stadium, members of the board have said.
Speaking at a live fans forum in the city, chairman Grant Ferguson and chief strategy officer Niall McWilliams were asked questions regarding Stratfield Brake and a proposed second site, known as ‘The Triangle.’
The county council’s cabinet could decide on January 24, about whether to enter formal negotiations regarding leasing council-owned land at The Triangle to the club for the development of a new stadium.
Ferguson said: “We’re still working through what the options are.
“Stratfield Brake is having to be refocussed and that allows a fantastic opportunity.
“The challenges with Stratfield Brake as a whole were a lot.
“Stratfield Brake hasn’t gone away as an option.
“We will get it right, and that’s by consulting as many people as possible, including the people in this room.”
The new chairman added: “We’re very keen to find as many ways as possible to engage with fans, this is one way to do that.”
McWilliams said: “You’ve (the fans) been patient and brilliant for so long. We just need a little bit of time to get the detail for you and when we do get that, we will give it to you.
“Stratfield Brake hasn’t gone off the table. The triangular piece of land, there’s no sub-leases and is owned by the county council.
“We know there’s a great deal of support in the local area.
“To me, it’s pretty clear there’ll be a decision on the 24th.
“This isn’t just about the football, this is about providing international quality sporting facilities.
“When we look at The Triangle or wherever we go, we’ll be looking at opening the doors to the community.
“We’ll look at the Women’s team to play at our stadium because they’re unbelievable.”
Club Looking to Secure Loan Move for Fringe Player
U’s midfielder Oisin Smyth has been on trial with a League Two club ahead of a potential loan move in January.
Questions were asked about the 22-year-olds lack of game time at the fans forum on Monday night, with Robinson previously confirming he was due to join a National League side in October before picking up a hamstring injury.
The U’s boss compared Smyth to Mark Sykes, another midfielder who arrived from Northern Ireland.
“Oisin has been signed as an 18-month project, a little bit like Sykesy was,” Robinson told the Oxford Mail.
“We got a little bit of criticism for him being in and out, and in the wilderness.
“By the end of it, the process worked.
“Oisin is still not where you’d expect with Lewis Bate, Cameron Brannagan, Marcus McGuane and people like James Henry – where he sits right now is behind that group.
“Oisin is still in a development phase, he’s been on trial with a League Two club this week because nobody knows of him.
“He’s gone to a League Two club to see if they want him in January, and ideally that would be the perfect plan for him – to go to League Two for the rest of the season.”
“The reality is that with his first knee, we know how hard this one’s going to be.”
Karl Robinson is reluctant to put a timeframe on a knee injury suffered by Alex Gorrin #oufc https://t.co/TipuxQruwL pic.twitter.com/iytQPCmbOV
— Oxford Mail OUFC (@OxfordMailOUFC) December 15, 2022
Oxford United Midfielder Ruled Out With Knee Injury
With one midfielder looking likely to leave, another is set for another spell on the sidelines after Alex Gorrin picked up a knee injury in training.
The Spaniard missed large parts of last season with an ACL injury and will miss much of the action this season, also.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Robinson said: “We are all gutted and Alex is absolutely devastated.
“He worked so hard to get back from the last one and to then pick up a similar injury in training is cruel.
“The positives are that he is a very fit lad and has that fantastic, positive outlook which will help him through this.”
First January Signing Completed
The U’s then confirmed the signing of 20-year-old defender, Stephan Negru from League of Ireland outfit Shelbourne.
The centre-back will join the U’s in January when the transfer window opens and follows several players to make the switch from Ireland.
Negru, who made his Shelbourne debut in October, told the club’s official website: “The whole club has been fantastic with me.
“I came over to take a look and join training and I was made to feel involved from the very first day.
“The manager has been excellent and obviously they have a reputation for helping players develop: Luke McNally is a great example of someone who plays in the same position as me.
“I know I have a lot to learn but that’s what I am here for and I can’t wait to get started.”
Robinson added: “He’s really exciting as a prospect. He is a defender who reads danger well and I know Craig Short has been really impressed.
“You look at Rob Dickie, Rob Atkinson and Luke McNally and we enjoy working with defenders and helping them develop.
“Stephan is definitely one for the future and we look forward to seeing his progress.”
Unbeaten Run Continues With Draw at Hillsborough
Oxford extended their unbeaten run to ten games but will feel disappointed about leaving Hillsborough with just a point after their goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
After an even first half, Oxford squandered several late chances with Henry missing from six yards before Josh Murphy saw a stoppage-time penalty saved.
The result keeps the U’s in the bottom half, just six points clear of the relegation places ahead of a trip to second-placed Ipswich Town on Boxing Day.
Former Oxford United Loanee Wins the World Cup
Former U’s loanee Emi Martinez has won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina after an enthralling final against France.
The 30-year-old was the hero in the penalty shootout, saving once, as the South Americans won 4-2 on spot kicks following a 3-3 draw.
Martinez joined the U’s on an emergency loan deal from Arsenal for the final game of the 2011/12 season, making his senior competitive debut. However, the then 19-year-old conceded three times as Oxford lost 3-0 at Port Vale in League Two, missing out on the playoffs as a result.
