{"id":477295,"date":"2019-07-12T04:56:01","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T08:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonfootball.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=477295"},"modified":"2019-07-12T04:57:52","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T08:57:52","slug":"oxford-united-pre-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/07\/12\/oxford-united-pre-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford United Pre-Season in Good Order"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following Oxford United’s 5-0 hammering<\/a>\u00a0at Rangers, the U’s have bounced back in their local pre-season friendlies, winning all three games.<\/p>\n

Karl Robinson’s<\/a> side have faced Oxford City, Thame United and Brackley Town, winning all three and scoring goals on the way.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Going Well in Pre-Season<\/h2>\n

Oxford City 3-5 Oxford United<\/h3>\n

Pre-season isn’t necessarily about results, but performances and building fitness are crucial.<\/p>\n

The U’s were at city rivals, Oxford City<\/a>, on Tuesday night, eventually coming out victorious in an eight-goal thriller at Court Place Farm.<\/p>\n

Robinson fielded an inexperienced side and it showed as the U’s found themselves two goals down but James Henry<\/a> reduced the deficit before the break.<\/p>\n

The second half was a different story. Despite City regaining their two goal advantage, goals from Tariqe Fosu<\/a>, Gavin Whyte,<\/a> Kyran Lofthouse and Malachi Napa sealed the win for Robinson’s side.<\/p>\n

Thame United 0-2 Oxford United<\/h3>\n

The following evening, Oxford travelled to Thame. Again, Robinson’s side was relatively inexperienced but did feature two trialists.<\/p>\n

Defender Jon Guthrie<\/a>, released from Walsall following the club’s relegation to League Two, and Motherwell winger Elliott Frear<\/a>\u00a0were looking to impress.<\/p>\n

Guthrie came on as a second-half substitute at the City game, and his first-half appearance showed solidarity at the back. Meanwhile, left-winger Frear was also making an impact and had a goal ruled out for offside at Thame.<\/p>\n

Whyte, who scored a penalty in the win at City, netted again from twelve yards before Rob Hall<\/a> netted a cheeky effort following good work from Cameron Brannagan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brackley Town 1-2 Oxford United<\/h3>\n

The U’s third pre-season match in as many days ended the same as the previous two, with a win.<\/p>\n

This was a tighter affair, despite taking a two-goal lead. Robinson fielded a stronger side against the National League North outfit, and first-half goals from Fabio Lopes and James Henry put the visitors in control.<\/p>\n

Despite playing a relatively strong side, a Nico Jones own goal gifted the Saints a chance to get back into the game.<\/p>\n

What Can We Take From These Three Games?<\/h3>\n

Results in pre-season aren’t important, but following the defeat at Rangers, the U’s will be boosted by these results. However, there may be some cause for concern with the performances.<\/p>\n

In the three games, there is much evidence that the squad lacks depth. Also, Jamie Mackie is the club’s only natural striker, but he missed all three games through injury.<\/p>\n

There are also concerns at centre back following Curtis Nelson’s departure to Cardiff City<\/a>. Trialist Guthrie could fill the void given his League One experience, and the U’s have also been linked with Kilmarnock defender\u00a0Stuart Findlay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>