Oxford United have seen their unbeaten home record come to an end with a 2-1 defeat against Swansea.
The U’s conceded shortly before the break before the Swans added a second with ten minutes of the game remaining. Des Buckingham’s side did pull one back through Dane Scarlett, but it was too late.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Midfield Struggles Continue
Buckingham made three changes from the side that lost at Sunderland last time out, with two coming in the middle of the park.
This has been an area of the pitch they have struggled in recent weeks so the introduction of Josh McEachran and Louie Sibley for Will Vaulks and Idris El Mizouni made sense on paper.
However, both players toiled in the first half and were unable to get the team going, and while it was better after the restart and when the head coach made further changes, it still wasn’t enough.
Outclassed in Both Halves Despite Improvement After the Break
As touched on, Oxford were outplayed in the first half. They went into the break with just 32 per cent possession and Jamie Cumming was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers.
El Mizouni replaced Sibley at the break and did provide some much-needed energy and Oxford grew into the game. Unfortunately, the second goal all-but killed off the contest despite another late rally.
Missed Chances for Oxford United
Mark Harris has been guilty of missing some crucial chances in recent weeks and it was another afternoon to forget, this time against his hometown club.
The Welshman ballooned the ball over from two yards with the Swans just one goal up. Later on, Malcolm Ebiowei scuffed an effort wide, Dane Scarlett saw an attempt blocked before Greg Leigh headed narrowly wide in stoppage time, with what would have been a fortuitous equaliser.
