Oxford United returned from the international break with a second successive 2-2 home draw, this time against Leicester.
However, unlike in their previous fixture against Coventry where the U’s came from behind twice, Gary Rowett’s side took the lead on both occasions against the Foxes.
Here are three talking points from the game.
Read More: Team News, Form and Predicted Line-Up as Oxford United Welcome Leicester
Oxford United Draw Against Leicester
Decent Debuts
Following the deadline day deals of Elliott Moore leaving and Filip Krastev coming in, Ben Davies made his debut in defence in place of the former skipper while the latter also started on the left hand side of a front three.
On the attacker, he was quick and direct from the off and even forced one Leicester defender to commit to an early foul and booking, so his display was promising.
At the other end of the pitch, Davies looked relatively solid alongside the new vice captain, Michal Helik, in defence. He also ‘scored’ Oxford’s second goal, heading home from a corner via a massive deflection.
Red Card Turning Point
Having taken an early lead through Will Lankshear, Oxford would have been frustrated at conceded shortly after following a poor backpass from Cameron Brannagan.
Despite that, the U’s were arguably the better side in the opening exchanges and that looked to continue when Aaron Ramsey was sent off for a reckless tackle of Krastev after just 24 minutes.
Oxford were on top for a short spell but the man disadvantage didn’t necessarily hinder the visiting side, despite conceding a second goal just two minutes before the break.
But when the Foxes equalised just ten minutes into the second half, the put bodies in the middle of the park and nullified Oxford’s main threat from the opening 45 minutes.
In a strange way, Oxford were playing against ten men for too much of the game.
Flexible Formations
Rowett’s side started with a back four but changed throughout the second half meant he switched setup, too.
When Stan Mills and Nik Prelec came on for Krastev and Przemyslaw Placheta, Oxford set up with a back five with Mills and Jack Currie as the wing backs, while Prelec played just off Lankshear in attack.
It’s clear that this current squad has some versatility when it comes to the setup which can be crucial.
