In-form Oxford United hope prolonged break won’t halt their momentum

By the time Oxford United kick off their home match against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, it will have been three weeks since they last kicked a ball in anger in League One.

Karl Robinson’s side extended their winning run to four matches with a thumping 5-1 win at Burton in their first game of the New Year, but Doncaster’s FA Cup commitments and a Covid-19 outbreak at Shrewsbury saw their next two home games postponed before a water-logged pitch at Northampton last weekend meant the Yellows were once again denied the chance to make up ground on the play-off spots.

Oxford currently sit 14th in the third tier thanks to an underwhelming start to the season, but they are now only eight points shy of sixth-placed Charlton with three games in hand on the Addicks, thanks to their strong run in December.

Despite being unable to continue their fine league form, the Yellows did progress to the quarter-finals of the Papa John’s Trophy with a 1-0 over Cambridge at the Kassam Stadium just over a week ago.

That game saw influential midfielder Cameron Brannagan make his first start since the beginning of October as he returns to fitness following a long-term eye infection. Whilst Robinson will no doubt be delighted that one of the stars of his side’s run to the play-off final last season is back in action, quite how he will find a place for him in the Oxford midfield is another matter. Alex Gorrin, Liam Kelly and particularly Marcus McGuane have all played exceptionally well in recent weeks.

“We are in a really good place. People will be frustrated not to play or even be in the squad, but that should be a positive too because you know you have to play well just to get in the matchday squad.

“You never want those who miss out to be happy with it: you want them to think you have made the wrong decision and to be determined to show me I got it wrong. That’s another good thing. But as much as they can be frustrated with me, we know they won’t be frustrated with their teammates because they support one another and it is all about winning games as a group.

“The most important thing is the badge. You only have to look at Sam Long and Jack Stevens: they were in and out of the team but they trained well, they respected their positions and have now become two of our best players this season.”

– Oxford United manager Karl Robinson

The lack of games hasn’t been the manager’s only concern though, as Oxford have struggled to add players to their squad during the January transfer window. Robinson made it clear he was keen to bring players in at the start of the window, but the only business done so far has been the departure of utility man Sean Clare on loan to Burton.

Despite the lack of incomings, the Yellows still have a number of options to choose from on Saturday with only club captain John Mousinho absent due to injury.

Whilst Saturday’s hosts have been frustrated by their lack of games, visitors Bristol Rovers may well be wishing they had been given some time off.

They have lost their last four games in a row since a win over Blackpool on the first weekend of the New Year, leading to exits from both the FA Cup and the Papa John’s Trophy.

The most frustrating of those defeats came last time out at Crewe, as they fought from two goals down to level the game early in the second half before conceding again just moments after drawing level.

Manager Paul Tisdale is the type for whom hope springs eternal though, and his fairly strong start to life at the Memorial Stadium means the Gas are a point clear of the relegation zone in 19th place, despite their poor form.

“I’m sure we’re gonna be absolutely fine. I’ve been here now for two months and the team is beginning to play with some of the fluency I would expect and would want to see.

“Tuesday night at Crewe gave me great heart; the energy, and the bravery of the team to play football in certain areas and be forward-thinking.

“I am trying to put my own stamp on things of course, that’s what I’ve got to try and do, but I’m by no means there yet. I’m still trying to find the best way to get the best out of the players we have at Bristol Rovers currently.”

– Bristol Rovers manager Paul Tisdale

A significant issue all season has been replacing the goals of Johnson Clarke-Harris after he departed for Peterborough in the summer transfer window. His replacement Brandon Hanlon is Rovers’ top-scorer after finding the net on six occasions, but he has scored just once since his side’s win at Wimbledon at the start of December, and Tisdale has confirmed it is an area of the squad he is looking to strengthen if possible.

This week he did complete the signing of full-back George Williams from MK Dons and the new recruit is available to make his debut at the Kassam. His arrival should mean captain Max Ehmer can revert to has natural role in the centre of defence after filling in at right-back in recent weeks.

Further good news for Tisdale has been the return to training of attacking midfielders Erhan Oztumer and Sam Nicholson after both missed the best part of a month through injury, both will be given every chance to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday.

These two sides were scheduled to meet at the Memorial Stadium before Christmas, but a Covid outbreak among Rovers’ squad meant they game had to be postponed. They did, however, meet in the group stage of the Papa John’s Trophy, with Oxford prevailing on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Kassam.

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