Oxford United failed to capitalise on their impressive win over Sheffield United with defeat at home against QPR.
The U’s found themselves two goals down by the break largely in part to uncharacteristic defensive errors but did reduce the deficit in the second-half. However, QPR restored their two-goal lead in stoppage time with Oxford pushing for an equaliser.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Oxford United Lose Against QPR
Injury Blows
Gary Rowett named an unchanged side from the recent home wins over Watford and Sheffield United.
However, they were dealt a blow inside 15 minutes when Ciaron Brown was forced off with injury, with Joe Bennett replacing the Northern Ireland international.
After the restart, it was the other full-back to go off injured with Hidde ter Avest being forced out with a head injury.
However, his replacement in Stan Mills reduced the deficit just moments after his introduction with a delicate header.
Uncharacteristic Defensive Mistakes and Sloppy Start
The first goal was a blow on two fronts – firstly, conceding after just seven minutes was far from ideal in what was dubbed as a “must-win” by many fans, but also how it went in, with a soft header from a corner fumbled in by Jamie Cumming.
The second was also embarrassing, with a cross into the box causing confusion between the goalkeeper and Ole Romeny, who may have got the final touch himself.
It summed up Oxford’s first half – sloppy, unorganised and poor. Fortunately the second half was much better but it was too little, too late.
Three Points From Two Games – Not the Way We Expected
After a win over Sheffield United last time out, this was seen as a bonus opportunity to add further points, but the U’s were unable to capitalise.
Many fans expected nothing against the Blades and would have thought the three points would have come against the R’s. That said, those points are in the bag but just not in the way we expected.
