Generation Ox

Tuesday was the first free midweek Oxford have had since mid-October. Finally, a chance to take a break. Not a chance. What unfolded whilst Oxford fans were nervously peering at their phones on the sofas was one of the most dramatic days in this EFL season. Intermingled between a 3-3 draw, 2-2 draw and 5-2 victory were four results which had a huge bearing on Oxford’s season. Lincoln and Blackpool all but cemented their top six status with wins, but the real drama happened elsewhere. Accrington squandered a 2-0 lead against Portsmouth, before Marquis scored a bicycle kick winner in the 91 st minute, only for him to complete his hattrick but at the wrong end, as his own goal drew Accrington level in the 95 th minute. Charlton also grabbed what they thought was a late winner against Crewe, only for their opponents to drew level for a second time with Owen Doyle’s 96 th minute equaliser. Oxford were in it, out of it, and then right back in it again in an evening full of...

Oxford eventually beat Plymouth to keep their playoff dream alive on Saturday, but it wasn’t without a scare early in the second half. The visitors dominated the 20-minute period after the interval, and deservedly got themselves back into the game via Nial Ennis’s 65 th minute equaliser. The goal brought Oxford back to life, and they quickly restored their lead through Taylor who would later make it comfortable with his second of the game and 17 th of the season, sending Oxford to 5 th in the table. The blip at the start of the second half, though, is more than that. Just four days earlier, Oxford had an even stronger chance to cement their position in the playoffs against relegation threatened AFC Wimbledon. With other results benefiting Oxford, they held a 1-0 lead at the hour mark before a remarkable capitulation following James Henry’s instinctive red card which saw the game turned on its head in the space of two minutes. The result was an opportunity missed and, tho...

Three victories in a row have propelled Oxford into the playoffs for the first time this season. Their victory over Gillingham has simultaneously taken out one competitor, and it now looks like only those in 10th and above still harvest any chance of making the top six. The question now becomes: Can Oxford maintain their position? We have looked at the form and fixtures of Oxford and their playoff rivals to see who is best positioned to finish in the top six. Key Below is a little example of how the information will be set up, and what key terminology means. Team (current league position) PPG from last Six Matches (Ranking in League One) – points per game from the last six matches PPG from last Ten Matches (Ranking in League One) – points per game from last ten matches PPG of Remaining Opposition – Remaining opposition’s points per game, adjusted for home and away fixtures. Fixture difficult difference – The difference in adjusted PPG of all the fixtures a team h...

Oxford did not dismantle Shrewsbury in the way they had Crewe four days earlier, but it was another impressive performance which reinforced the horrible feeling that Oxford could still creep into the playoffs. It has so often been the hope that kills you this season. Yet, for Oxford right now, it appears to be the hope that drives them on. Having been seemingly out of the playoff chase following defeats to Sunderland and Accrington, the pressure was off. Oxford played with freedom, energy and positivity. They played with hope not expectation. Robinson’s men still feel like outsiders for the playoffs, despite technically sitting only one place outside them.  Though their recent willingness to try beating a man, or play forward passes and drive in behind teams is certainly something they should look to carry into their remaining games and beyond. Every outfield player to play at least fifteen minutes for Oxford attempted at least one dribble against Shrewsbury, amounting ...

Robinson once again referenced Oxford's lack of power in midfield following their defeat to Accrington, a display which all but condemns his side to a sixth straight season in League One next year.  It has been obvious that United lack drive through the middle and the absence of McGuane has been a key part of that. Yet, with the likes of Lee, Henry and an improving Mark Sykes, Oxford don't lack creativity in the middle third.  Robinson has started an attacking trio in midfield for his last three games, and - despite success against Lincoln - that has also failed to bring much more out of his side.  Are the midfield, then, truly to blame for Oxford's poor run of form, or are there more factors to Oxford's season faltering.  We have looked through two sets of data - that from Oxford's 16 game run where they lost just once in matchweeks 17-35, and the 14 game since - to analyse what has changed for Oxford. Less possession  Oxford have struggled to dictate play in ...

Marcus McGuane first sustained what looked like an innocuous thigh injury back in January, an injury which eventually ruled him out for the season. Flat performances against Blackpool and Northampton have dearly lacked drive from midfield, and the defeat to Accrington could also be partly attributed to this. Brannagan is still struggling to impact games as he did last season, Gorrin doesn’t have the incisive passing necessary to break teams down , and both Sykes and Lee drift out of games too much to carry United’s creative burden. Robinson will be hopeful of getting McGuane back next season, but news of his extended absence this year has come at a bad time for Oxford. His absence is being felt particularly in recent performances, though in reality, they have needed him all season.      Dribbling, pace and power: What McGuane brings to the team From his underlying numbers, it is clear that McGuane is far more progressive than his midfield partners. He averages...

Oxford’s defeat to Blackpool was a tame affair. An improved second half performance was never going to be enough to turn over the 2-0 deficit needlessly conceded in the previous 45. Taking nothing away from Blackpool – whose press was reminiscent of United’s victory over Doncaster four days earlier – but Oxford didn’t do much to suggest they could ably play through the lines, particularly in the first half. Without the incisive passing that comes with a more progressive deep lying midfielder, Oxford simply couldn’t break through the Blackpool press. It begs a question which has been asked at a few points over the last two years; are Oxford better without Gorrin? The question was amplified given the impact of Gorrin's counterpart in Dougall of Blackpool. The bleached hair holding midfielder is impossible to miss and, along with scoring the opening goal, frequently found himself involved in Blackpool attacks. Playing in a double pivot gave him more of a licensce than Go...