Frustration seems to be the buzzword surrounding Oxford United over the last seven days with more injury concerns and defeat against a promotion rival.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Injury News and Defeat at Peterborough
Double Injury Blow
At the start of the week, Oxford were awaiting a scan result to see the full damage on Marcus Browne after he left the pitch injured in the U’s FA Cup win over Grimsby.
The winger, who had been out since August, managed just 12 second half minutes before being replaced.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Des Buckingham said: “It’s terrible bad luck for Marcus and for us.
“He was feeling good and even in the short spell on the pitch he played a part in our goal but then he felt something tighten up on the other leg to where the first injury was and as the fans saw he was distraught when he came off.
“He will go for a scan today (Monday) but he’ll certainly be out until the new year. Kyle Edwards went for a scan last week and is looking at similar. If that’s confirmed then that’s frustrating for all of us.
“At the same time you can’t just blame bad luck and move on hoping it doesn’t happen again. We are blessed with a very knowledgeable and very honest staff and we will meet this afternoon as a group to look at a few things.
“We will then work with Marcus and with Kyle and make sure that we help get them back to where they want to be; out on the pitch, running at defenders and playing their part in a successful season.”
Later in the week, the U’s head coach confirmed that they would not play this side of January, before adding that defender Stephan Negru would also be sidelined with a similar injury.
U’s Through in Football League Trophy
Oxford United edged through in the Football League Trophy with a 1-0 win over Forest Green.
Buckingham made several changes to the team that beat Grimsby in the FA Cup last time out but it was a half time substitute in Josh Murphy that made the difference, with his tenacious running resulting in a finish for Tyler Goodrham.
Forest Green had chances but the U’s held on to progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Football League Trophy Draw
Oxford United were then drawn away at either Portsmouth or AFC Wimbledon in the last 16 of the Football League Trophy.
The U’s have to wait until the two teams meet on December 19 to find out who they travel to with round of 16 ties set to take place in the week commencing January 8.
Defeat Against the Posh
Oxford stumbled to a heavy 3-0 defeat on the road at promotion rivals, Peterborough.
The Posh led 2-0 by the break with the U’s unable to cope with the hosts’ counter-attacking style of football. They added a third late on with goalkeeper James Beadle keeping the scoreline respectable.
The result sees the U’s drop to sixth in League One, six points behind leaders Portsmouth.
