Oxford United head into the third international break of the season having picked up just one win from their last nine.
The U’s made a positive start to the Championship campaign but results and performances haven’t been at the same standard in recent weeks.
Mixed Results Ahead of Third International Break for Oxford United
Two Draws, One Win and Three Defeats
Oxford headed into the previous break having picked up their first points on the road of the season with draws at Luton and Portsmouth respectively. However, upon their return, Des Buckingham’s side have just one win from six.
The U’s took the field and picked up a credible draw at home against promotion hopefuls, West Brom, although the equaliser came deep into stoppage time to salvage a point.
From there, Oxford struggled at home against a Derby side that were without a win on the road, with that game also ending 1-1.
For the first time this season, Oxford were then outplayed at the Stadium of Light against league leaders, Sunderland. It was the first time so far that the U’s had lost by more than a one goal margin, with a 2-0 defeat on Wearside.
Buckingham’s side followed that up with arguably their worst performance of the campaign – a 2-1 loss at home to Swansea. The U’s were 2-0 down in the game but despite a late rally, saw their unbeaten home record come to an end.
Fortunately, they bounced back just days later with a 1-0 win over Hull. Again, the performance wasn’t great but Buckingham got the reaction that he had asked for following that Swans loss.
Finally, Oxford headed into the break having put on arguably their best away performance of the season so far at Watford, but were unfortunate to lose the game 1-0 at Vicarage Road.
Injuries
Buckingham has played down the current crop of injuries, refusing to use that as an excuse for the run of results and performances, but there is no doubt that his squad and selection has been impacted by it.
Losing Ben Nelson in defence has been a blow, although Sam Long has covered well, while Hidde ter Avest has not only started to get some minutes, but also netted the goal against Hull.
Cameron Brannagan remains sidelined and the midfield is still an area of the pitch that Oxford are being outclassed in, so his return will be important when they are back in action at the end of the month.
But it’s the wide areas that have caused the most complications. Siriki Dembele, Matt Phillips, Przemyslaw Placheta and Kyle Edwards have all been ruled out, meaning Buckingham has had to change his style of play and formation to adjust for the lack of wingers available.
The last two games have seen the use of wing backs, which has worked for the most part but the squad aren’t quite versed on the roles.
