Generation Ox

Oxford finally opened their points tally this season putting four past Accrington Stanley in a result that sees them rise to the dizzy heights of twelfth. In truth, a 4-1 victory flatters the visitors who were pushed all the way by an unlucky Accrington side, who levelled the game in the 72 nd minute but found themselves both a man and goal down three minutes later in unusual circumstances. Although, this match might not just be a sign of Oxford’s changing fortunes but also a confirmation of a change in style from Karl Robinson. Last season Oxford built a reputation for being a possession-based team, keen on playing their way through sides with the fourth most passes per game in the division and the second least long balls per match.  Though the success of this tactic was clear, a poor start to the season - or perhaps signs teams were using the Wycombe play-off final model as a counter - appears to be convincing Robinson that United need to utilise a different method to get resu

Bad luck, injuries or complacency. Whatever it is, no points from two games marks a slow start to the season for Oxford United whose next test comes in the shape of a trip to Accrington - a stern test for a side yet to find their form.   Accrington started their league campaign with a 2-0 victory over fellow promotion favourites Peterborough.   They did though suffer a less positive result in their second match , a late goal meaning they left Burton empty handed. Oxford’s possession against Sunderland last Saturday was lower than any league total at home last season, but a game against Accrington should give them a good opportunity to get their passing game going. In Accrington’s first two matches they have averaged 37.5% possession, with an average of just 286 passes per game. Although, the majority (64%) of Oxford’s passes came against Lincoln and in their game against Sunderland they matched Accrington’s average of 286 passes, there was only one league match last season wh

If there’s one thing we know about League One it's that there is absolutely no way of predicting it. Impossible to second guess. Don’t even try to workout how any game is going to end.  Although, maybe there are some exceptions.  Four out of the last five meetings between these two teams have ended 1-1. The last three competitive matches at the Kassam have ended 1-1. Sunderland have recorded the most draws of any side in League One over the last two seasons. And how did they start the new season? 1-1.    Though Sunderland will be extremely disappointed to come away with only a point from this match as they peppered the Bristol Rovers goal, an early goal proved to be too much to turn around.  Sunderland had 25 shots in the game - including a massive 18 of them from inside the box. This was six more than anyone else in the league in the opening set of fixtures.   The man who eventually put one of these in the net was former U’s hero Chris Maguire who will be expected to start again o

Here we go again. Alarm bells starting to ring. All the excitement and expectations of a dream season quickly descended into another nightmarish Barnsley away day.    At the ground where Oxford hit six last year, they stumbled to a less embarrassing, but no less painful, 2-0 defeat. They mustered just nine shots all game and a red card to league debutant Rob Atkinson compounded United’s misery in a performance which has some people worrying. But before fans write off the season, history suggests that, surprisingly, it makes absolutely no difference whether you win or lose on the opening day.  Over the last ten years, Oxford have won three, lost three and drawn four. In fact it seems these solid points are the best option. Last season’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland nearly proved to be the start of a promotion season and a 1-1 against Crawley in 2015 was the beginning of one as Oxford gained automatic promotion from League Two.   When Oxford have drawn on the opening day in the last deca

 How much will Oxford's opening day line-up tell of season to come  Saturday 12 th September is the date that all Oxford fans have been looking forward to since the harrowing Wembley defeat to Wycombe. It is the day their promotion charge starts again.   The fixture could also provide some clarity over Robinson’s squad. Clare or Long? Sykes or McGuane? Atkinson or Mousinho? Whoever starts,  will the opening game of the season really tell us how Robinson means to go on?  If we look back to the opening league game of the last campaign against Sunderland, we get some of the answers.                                                                                                               Blue: Player started the first game of the season                                                                                                   Red:   Player didn't start the first game of the season