Oxford United scraped a point on the road at relegation rivals Cardiff on Easter Monday.
The U’s fell behind ten minutes into the second half but a sensational strike from Cameron Brannagan rescued a point.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Oxford United Draw at Cardiff
Game Plan Didn’t Work
Oxford headed to the Welsh capital with a clear game plan. Gary Rowett set up his side to sit back and wait for the hosts to leave gaps but it never happened.
Cardiff outplayed Oxford, particularly in the first half, and the U’s were left frustrated with their display.
As a result, Rowett made a double change at the break and switched to a back three with Matt Phillips and Greg Leigh as wing-backs.
However, Cardiff opened the scoring just ten minutes later and the U’s didn’t really have a Plan B, with a defensive shape set up in order to maintain a clean sheet.
Offered Little Up Top
With that game plan in mind, it was evident that the U’s struggled in the final third as they looked opted for a defend-first strategy.
Tom Bradshaw was non-existent in the first half, as was the midfield duo of Brannagan and Will Vaulks, with Oxford unable to get hold of the ball or up the pitch.
The most likely avenue to get into the Cardiff half was down the wings but both Tyler Goodrham and Przemyslaw Placheta often cut inside to an overcrowded area and lost the ball.
The U’s had just one shot in the first half and ended the game with only two, but the second was a peach.
Moment of Magic From Brannagan
The game plan didn’t work and Oxford offered little in the final third so after falling behind, how were they going to get themselves back into the game? Cameron Brannagan.
Against Leeds, the U’s put in a decent display and the only way the visitors broke the deadlock was through a moment of magic – which is what the Oxford skipper produced in the Welsh capital.
Goodrham layed off a short free kick but Brannagan smashed it into the top corner from well over 30 yards to send the Yellow Army into delirium.
Maybe Oxford didn’t deserve a point but the goal itself was worthy of all three. Onto Sunderland.
