Oxford United picked up just their second win of the season and their first at Grenoble Road with a 1-0 victory over Derby.
The U’s really should have added to the one goal scored by Stan Mills but the points were all that mattered.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Read More: Gary Rowett on ‘Pretty Solid’ Oxford United Performance Against Derby
Oxford United Win Against Derby
90 Minute Display
In recent home matches against Coventry and Leicester, Oxford played well but for just one half, and that’s been a problem for the U’s this season. However, against the Rams, Gary Rowett’s side looked the stronger team throughout the 90 minutes.
This was important given that two more games are coming up next week, so putting in a decent display will give the players confidence.
They were solid defensively (which we’ll get to), looked a constant threat in the final third (which we’ll also address) and used the width of the pitch to effect. Also, to do it consistently rather than in spells, will be pleasing for the head coach and supporters.
Plenty of Goalscoring Opportunities
To deny Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström the Man of the Match award would be a crime, as the Swede kept the visitors in the game despite never really being in it.
Oxford created several chances in the fixture and while they only scored one, the reason was down to the brilliant display from the opposing goalkeeper.
First, Mills was put through, but his effort was blocked before Brian De Keersmaecker saw two quickfire efforts from the edge of the box also tipped away.
He was unable to do anything about the goal from Mills. Nik Prelec and De Keersmaecker won the ball in their own box, launched a counterattack, and the latter fed Mills, who calmly slotted the ball home.
The goalkeeper was on his toes in first-half stoppage time, denying Michal Helik with a close-range volley, before stopping a tame effort from Prelec after the restart.
Cameron Brannagan also saw a long-range effort saved by Zetterström, but the U’s also squandered chances with Prelec, Will Vaulks and Brodie Spencer all missing the target.
But it didn’t matter as Oxford saw the game out to take a vital three points.
Clean Sheet
At the other end of the pitch, Oxford looked physical and determined to maintain just a second clean sheet of the season, and this came despite two changes from the back four against Watford.
Jack Currie came in for Greg Leigh while Ciaron Brown made his first appearance since April, replacing Sam Long.
But the partnership of Helik and Brown still looked solid, while Currie and Spencer both offered plenty in defence and attack.
Also, the introduction of Vaulks as the holding midfielder provided additional security to the back four, with De Keersmaecker also dropping on the rare occasions they were caught out.
Of course, they were helped by the lacklustre display from the Rams, who offered little during the game.
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
