In a season which promised so much, fans of Oxford United will be disappointed with how the campaign ended. Despite a strong start, the U’s missed out on a top-six finish and are set for another year in League One. Here is our Oxford United season review:
Oxford United Season Review: Karl Robinson’s Side Fall Short in Playoff Hopes
Summer Signings
After losing Josh Ruffels and Rob Atkinson to Huddersfield Town and Bristol City respectively, the U’s made quick strides in bringing in fresh faces.
Marcus McGuane, Ryan Williams and Billy Bodin all boosted the attack while Steve Seddon and Jordan Thorniley were brought in to replace the two departures.
The U’s also added former players Gavin Whyte and Nathan Holland before Herbie Kane arrived on loan from Barnsley.
Strong Start to the New Season
Unlike previous seasons, Oxford began the campaign strongly. The U’s lost just three times from the opening 11 league games, picking up five wins in the process.
Oxford’s away form was an issue as they failed to secure a win on the road in their opening four league games. That changed when James Henry struck a late winner at Hillsborough. However, their home form was solid, losing for the first time at Grenoble Road in October against then-league leaders Plymouth Argyle.
Following their loss against the Pilgrims, the U’s would go on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, establishing them in the top six.
Dip in Form and Out of the FA Cup
That run was ended by eventual winners Wigan Athletic, while Oxford also bowed out of the FA Cup with a dramatic defeat at Bristol Rovers. Back in the league, the U’s bounced back with four points from their next two league games but losses on the road at Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers saw Robinson’s side drop out of the top six.
However, late winners over Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth, along with a nine-goal thriller away at Gillingham, regained their playoff position before another back to back defeats.
But this squad didn’t give up. Five wins from their next six league games restored their promotion chances before the season-defining run.
Three Successive League Losses End Promotion Chances
Losses and Plymouth and Morecambe, along with a late defeat at home against Sunderland, saw the U’s drop out of the playoffs.
Oxford bounced back with successive wins but defeat at Rotherham United on the penultimate weekend ended their chances of reaching the playoffs for the third time in as many years.
The U’s ended the season as the division’s highest-scoring side but struggled defensively for the large parts of the campaign.
Matty Taylor chipped in with 20 league goals while Cameron Brannagan netted a career-high 14, which included four penalties in the 7-2 win over Gillingham.
Oxford United Season Review: U’s Looking to Bounce Back Next Season
Despite Sunderland securing promotion back to the Championship, the relegation of Derby County, Barnsley and Peterborough United add further difficult fixtures next season.
Oxford will be desperate to secure a third playoff finish in four seasons and they’ll be looking to strengthen in the summer transfer window.
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