{"id":611842,"date":"2022-04-10T13:44:51","date_gmt":"2022-04-10T17:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=611842"},"modified":"2022-04-10T13:44:51","modified_gmt":"2022-04-10T17:44:51","slug":"oxford-united-successive-defeats-leave-playoff-doubt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2022\/04\/10\/oxford-united-successive-defeats-leave-playoff-doubt\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Successive Defeats Leave Top Six Finish in Doubt\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oxford United<\/a> endured a miserable week on the field with two more defeats, resulting in Karl Robinson’s side dropping out of the playoff places.<\/p>\n

The U’s lost at strugglers Morecambe and promotion rivals Sunderland<\/a>, leaving them outside the top six by four points with just four games remaining.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Back to Back Defeats Leave Top Six Finish in Doubt<\/h2>\n

Defeat Against Strugglers Morecambe<\/h3>\n

Oxford’s promotion hopes took a huge blow on Tuesday night as the U’s lost 2-1 at strugglers Morecambe.<\/p>\n

Matty Taylor had given Oxford a deserved early lead but the hosts scored twice within eight first-half minutes to take the lead.<\/p>\n

The U’s registered 20 shots on goal and ended the match with over 70 per cent possession but were unable to find a way through. The result left Robinson’s side in eighth place, three points off a playoff spot ahead of the visit of Sunderland.<\/p>\n

Oxford United Duo Return for Sunderland Clash<\/h3>\n

Oxford United received an injury boost ahead of their game against the Black Cats as captain Elliott Moore and influential midfielder Cameron Brannagan both became available.<\/p>\n

The duo missed the recent defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Morecambe with illness and injury respectively.<\/p>\n

Brannagan has netted 13 goals this season and played more minutes than any other U’s player, while Moore was set for his first appearance since a 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra in February.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re massive players for us,\u201d Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe seven-day concussion protocol with Cameron has been cleared today, so he\u2019s back in training. Elliott Moore is back in training today.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have two big players back for the game and it gives me an opportunity to pick a team that can cope with certain aspects of the opposition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team that we\u2019re playing have got some wonderful, gifted players and we\u2019ll have to be at our best to get something out of the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Playoff Hopes in Doubt Following Third Successive Loss<\/h3>\n

Oxford headed into Saturday’s game against Sunderland in need of a win, having already dropped out of the top six.<\/p>\n

Despite a bright start, it was the Black Cats that took an early lead. However, the U’s levelled ten minutes before the break when Moore headed home a Billy Bodin free-kick.<\/p>\n

The U’s dominated the second half but failed to score. Luke McNally missed the target, Ciaron Brown was denied by a brilliant save and Bodin saw a free-kick hit the bar. Sunderland scored what proved to be the winner in the 89th minute and Oxford were unable to find a way back into the game, despite further chances in injury time.<\/p>\n

The result leaves Oxford four points behind Sunderland but the Black Cats have played one game fewer.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>