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Wickham? Bristow? Cundle? Filling the Gaps for Oxford this January



Oxford’s transfer priority will be focussed on a central midfielder if they lose Brannagan or Sykes, and we have outlined four potential options in a piece already.

If Oxford are able to get one of them, or a different midfielder, then attention will turn to strengthening other positions.

The problem in this regard is there is not really one particular position which needs strengthening.

Left Back is Oxford’s shortest position, with a heavy reliance on Steve Seddon staying fit, and a back up striker would be useful.  

The rest of the pitch appears pretty well stacked at the moment, especially if Browne, who is reportedly close to a move to United, was to arrive for a third spell at the Kassam.


Oxford's Squad Depth: The size of the lettering indicates the Minutes played in those positions. Red highlighting represents long-term injuries. 

This could be a window of opportunistic signings, so here are a few which Oxford don't necessarily need, but could target if they wanted to bolster their squad. 


Connor Wickham 

No Club 

ST

Age: 28 

Transfer Type: Permanent 

Connor Wickham has been released by Preston North End following the end of a disappointing short-term deal signed in the summer, and is now available on a free transfer.

The striker, who has also had spells at Crystal Palace and Sunderland in the Premier League, made only two appearances for the Lilly Whites, and suffered a major Hamstring injury which prevented him from establishing himself in Ryan Lowe’s team.

There would, then, be questions over how fit Connor Wickham will be going into a move this January, and United have certainly been in a position of signing an aging, injury prone striker before where it has not worked out perfectly (see Sam Winnall).

Wickham, though, comes with a high pedigree and, injuries aside, has a strong track record of scoring goals at the highest level.

He has scored 19 premier League goals in 6,464 minutes, a rate of a goal every 341 minutes. Whilst not revelatory goalscoring form, it is a very respectable return in the top division of English football, whilst Wickham also has 24 Championship goals.

Wickham offers more physicality up front, adding an extra dimension to United’s game when they need to break teams down.

Standing at six foot three inches, Wickham will be a major threat from open play and set pieces, where Oxford have been lacking so far this season. 

At 28-years-old, Wickham is not a spring chicken but, if he can stay fit and make an impact, he has the potential to make a real difference at Oxford for a few years at least, especially if Robinson’s side don’t get promoted.

A short-term deal which takes him through to the summer, with an option to extend it should the move be a success, would seem a suitable arrangement for a player who needs to prove he can still cut it, quickly. 


Tyrese Francois 

Fulham 

CDM/CM/CAM

Age: 21 

Transfer Type: Loan 

Tyrese Francois is a relatively unproven midfielder, and probably wouldn’t be ready to step directly into the shoes of Sykes or Brannagan if they were to leave.

The Australian born midfielder, though, could be an interesting loan move if Oxford wanted to find midfield back up at an affordable price.

Francois can play in central midfield, or further forward as a number 10, and is a technically gifted player capable of opening games up.

This ability to drive through opponents is similar to Marcus McGuane, and would ease the creative burden on Herbie Kane in United's midfield were Huddersfield or one of the many Championship clubs able to get their hands on Mark Sykes. 

Francois could fill in further back, too, where Oxford are particuarly short. 

He started Fulham’s first game of the season at home to Middlesbrough in defensive midfield, and came on for the final stages of their next match against Huddersfield there, too. 

Since then, injury and selection has seen him slide down the pecking order, and his contract is up this summer.

Given Fulham’s strong form since Francois has been out of action, they may be open to letting him leave on loan this January, and it is possible that Oxford could pursue a permanent deal in the summer if a new contract at Craven Cottage does not materialise. 


Demetri Mitchell 

Blackpool 

LB/LW 

Age: 25 

Transfer Type: Permanent/Loan 

This is a deal which is less likely to happen, particularly in a January transfer window, but Mitchell has played just 21% of the available minutes for Blackpool this season, and is the perfect fit for what Oxford need.

Mitchell is an attack minded left-back, who can fill in further up field if needed.

Whilst he has nominally been used as a wing back for Blackpool, he has the ability to play on the wing, which makes him the ideal candidate as United look for a left footed winger this window as well as full back cover.

Mitchell’s contract is up this summer, and with James Husband, Luke Garbutt and Reece James all playing at left-back ahead of him, Mitchell may be available earlier than the summer should Oxford make a suitable offer, which could involve Brannagan going in the other direction. 

Deteriorating negotiations with Blackpool over the Brannagan swap put this deal into doubt, but he would be the ideal fit for an attack minded full back to cover for Seddon.  

Mitchell’s 1.2 shots per game was the fifth most of any full back in League One last season, and he ranked in the same position for dribbles per 90.

His 1.4 key passes per game, meanwhile, ranked him in the top 16th percent of all League One full backs to have played at least 10 matches.

Mitchell is not much of a crosser, with just 0.4 accurate crosses per game putting him 52nd out of 80 full backs in England’s third tier, but his natural left footedness still gives United another option, and his ability to get to the by-line is impressive.

He has also played on the right for Blackpool, cutting in on his favoured left foot.


Ethan Bristow 

Reading 

LB 

Age: 20 

Transfer Type: Loan 

Bristow started this season with three consecutive starts, all at left midfield (wing back), but didn’t appear for the next 22 matches, due to a combination of injury and selection.

Following an unrelenting injury crisis at the Madejski, he has played 90 minutes in the last two matches, but those have been a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough and 7-0 loss to Fulham, and there may be the opportunity for Bristow to go out on loan this January, should Reading find sufficient back up elsewhere on the pitch.

Bristow is out of contract this summer, and going out on loan may give himself a chance to prove his worth at Reading, or even a higher club.

This would be an ambitious move, particularly with first team football not necessarily assured if he was to make the move down to League One, but he would certainly be the kind of player Oxford need this January.

In his limited minutes, Bristow has averaged 3 tackles per 90 (18th of all Championship full backs) but only 0.5 interceptions (110th).

Bristow, then, is a player who enjoys his individual duels, but does not often step out of defence to win the ball back, electing instead to keep to his man and win the ball one against one.

His 2.5 fouls per 90 (5th of all Championship full backs) indicates he is more than willing to engage in a physical battle with his winger, and suggests he is a difficult full back to get past.

Bristow doesn’t offer much going forward, but would be excellent back up for Seddon. 


Jermaine Defoe 

No Club 

ST 

Age: 39 

Transfer Type: Permanent 

A story which has emerged rapidly in recent days has been Oxford’s shock interest in Former Ranger’s striker Jermaine Defoe, who has been released by the Scottish Champions after only two appearances this season.

Whilst a transfer to former clubs Sunderland, Portsmouth or Charlton would appear more likely, talks were reportedly held with Oxford on Tuesday about a possible move and Defoe would be an interesting addition.

Defoe is almost certain to add goals, having scored 284 goals across an illustrious career, that has taken him to Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and then Premier League Sunderland.

Defoe is not a tall player, and would certainly be more of an advanced forward, latching onto balls played in behind, than a target man.

Since the 2009-10 season, Defoe has averaged just 0.1 aerial duels won per game, indicating his preference to get the ball into feet or played in behind.

He is quick to get his shots off, too, averaging 2.5 shots per 90 since 2009. For context, that would rank him in the top ten in the Premier League this season, whilst his career best 3.8 shots per 90 he averaged with Tottenham in the 2013-14 season would put him above Cristiano Ronaldo (3.5) and Harry Kane (3.3) this season, only trailing Mohammed Salah (4).

Whilst even Defoe would admit comparisons to Ronaldo and Kane are exaggerated, he is clearly an elite finisher who has the potential to make a real difference in League One.  

           

             Luke Cundle 

Wolverhampton Wanderers 

CDM/CM 

Age: 19 

Transfer Type: Loan

Luke Cundle has found himself on the bench in many of Wolves' Premier League matches this season, and even got a solitary minute in their 3-1 victory over Southampton on Sunday. 

Cundle is a central midfielder who has played much of his football this year as a holding midfielder in Premier League Two. 

In his nine matches, he has registered two goals, and has also captained the under-21's side in the Papa John's Trophy. 

Having impressed at youth level, Wolves may want to keep hold of him to further his development in a year which may offer some game time to youth given their relatively mid-table position. They may even feel a championship move is on the cards. 

Oxford could capitalise, though, if Wolves want to give Cundle extra game time, and he would fit right into United's midfield should they lose Brannagan or Sykes. 

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