Oxford United began the 2025/26 Championship campaign with a narrow defeat at home against Portsmouth.
The visitors scored the only goal of the game just seven minutes before the break to give John Mousinho’s side all three points.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Read More: Team News, Form and Prediction as Oxford United Welcome Portsmouth
Oxford United Lose Against Portsmouth
Line-Up and Formation
It was hard to predict the starting line-up for the opening game of the season but Gary Rowett may have surprised a few with his selection.
Naturally, Jamie Cumming began in goal behind a back four of Brodie Spencer at right back, Elliott Moore and Michael Helik were the central defenders and Greg Leigh began on the left.
Brian De Keersmaecker was missing with a knock so Will Vaulks partnered Cameron Brannagan in the middle with Tyler Goodrham and Stan Mills the wide men.
Then Rowett opted for two up top with Mark Harris playing alongside recent signing, Will Lankshear.
However, knocks and unforeseen circumstances meant that the second half changes altered the formation and fluidity as the U’s struggled in the second 45.
Debutant Players
As mentioned, Spencer and Lankshear began from the off and it was a positive display from the duo. Spencer put in arguably a man of the match display on the right and even switched to the middle when Moore went off injured in the second half, while Lankshear used his presence well in attack, and even had a goal ruled out for offside.
Despite being signed last summer, there was also a debut for left-back, Jack Currie, who many fans expected to start over Leigh. He replaced the Jamaican with just over 20 minutes remaining and looked pretty good, even forcing the Pompey goalkeeper into a save on 89 minutes.
45 Game to Go
While it’s frustrating to lose the opening game of the season, it’s important to remember that there is still a long way to go.
Oxford matched Portsmouth for the most part in what was a physical fixture, and not helped by the referee stopping play far too often.
There will be better games and there will be worse games but for now, it’s one down and 45 to go.
