‘Good teams win games’ and Oxford United are doing just that

A frozen pitch, postponed game, delayed kick off, floodlight fire and a half time stadium evacuation could have derailed what should have been a routine win for Oxford United, but it was worth the wait for U’s in the end.

When referee Brett Huxtable blew his whistle to mark half time at the Kassam, you’d have been forgiven for wishing, perhaps deep down, that Oxford’s fixture against struggling Wigan Athletic had been called off. The first half was a drab, dreary affair and the action on the pitch was reflected in the grey, dull skies that blanketed South Oxfordshire as the temperature dropped by the minute.

Wigan’s back five had defended resolutely for most of the first half. Oxford’s only real chance in the first 45 was a moving shot that Alex Gorrin rifled towards Jamie Jones’s goal – the Wigan ‘keeper did well to beat it away given the swerve and dip on the ball.

Both Oxford and Wigan pressed well in the first half, but struggled to settle into a groove and momentum was hard to come by, especially given Wigan’s rigid defensive set up. The away side’s main threat came on the counter attack, with full back Tendayi Darikwa and winger Thelo Aasgaard keeping Oxford’s defence on their toes. The pair managed to sneak in behind the back line perhaps one too many times for U’s boss Karl Robinson’s liking, but failed to make it count.

Oxford’s normally fiery attack was outplayed by none other than a smoking floodlight, which halted proceedings and forced a stadium evacuation.

Half time was extended by 45 minutes when the fire alarm sounded and the Kassam was evacuated to the theme tune of Oxfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service’s engine sirens. Hundreds of club staff, media officials and not to mention the countless doctors and nurses that were carrying out COVID-19 vaccinations in the stadium itself, were quickly rushed outside into the bitter chill of Valentine’s Day afternoon.

Once the fire was extinguished and floodlights repaired, both teams reappeared to warm up and subsequently kicked off the second half. The prolonged break seemed to pump a new streak of energy both teams, with Oxford steadily regaining the quick, attack-minded identity that is powering them towards the League One Play-Offs.

It was Wigan who struck first, however. Callum Lang’s sublime turn just inside the penalty area sent him through on goal, subsequently rifling a shot into the upper left of Jack Steven’s goal. Karl Robinson’s Oxford, however, are  not ones to lay down lightly. Oxford maintained a sense of professionalism after going a goal down, and continued to utilise Brandon Barker and Mark Sykes on either wing to try and force a way back into the game.

A header from Sam Winnall and a pinball tap in from captain Elliott Moore eventually saw the hosts through to full time with a valuable three points in the bag. But more than anything, Oxford’s victory over Wigan proved one thing: that the U’s will not go down without a fight.

Good teams win games even when they don’t play well. Oxford proved today that they have what it takes to challenge for promotion this season.

Since the U’s stylish turn around in form beginning just before Christmas, they’ve shown a real never say die attitude. Their eight game winning run was ended by Doncaster, but Oxford simply didn’t let it affect them, winning 2-0 away at Bristol Rovers three days later. There is a tenacious energy running through Oxford; a desire to win, to prove people wrong and to perhaps make amends for last season’s Play-Off heartbreak.

The victory over Wigan was a prime example of how focused Robinson’s side are. A postponement, delayed kick off and half time mania could have very easily thrown Oxford mentally – and for a period in the second half it did. But, even in adverse circumstances, Oxford kept their heads on, and focused on the football.

‘There was a sense of calmness in our performance, even when things weren’t great… that to me was the be all and end all’ – Karl Robinson talking to Prost International’s Sam Hudspith.

Oxford’s tactical style lends itself to being resolute at both ends of the pitch. A flat back four commanded by match winner Elliott Moore is generally very reliable, and anchor man Alex Gorrin fantastically compliments both the defensive and attacking units, allowing Liam Kelly and Cameron Brannagan to ‘do their thing’.

Attacking options are aplenty at the Kassam, with any combination of Matty Taylor, Sam Winnall, Brandon Barker, Elliot Lee, Anthony Ford, Dan Agyei, Rob Hall and Olamide Shodipo all holding the potential to cause problems.

Squad depth is another reason as to Oxford’s success in recent weeks. The U’s can afford to lose a few key players to injury whilst retaining the makeup of a competitive League One team. With their right side completely changed, incomers Anthony Forde (and then Jamie Hanson) and Mark Sykes looked comfortable playing with each other; the latter winning man of the match.

For Wigan, meanwhile, it’s another opportunity to move away from the relegation zone wasted.

Leam Richardson’s side fight – you can’t deny them that. And, in fairness, they have some technically gifted players in their side such as Lang, Darikwa, Funso Ojo and Aasgaard. But things are conspiring against Wigan on and off the pitch. The Latics didn’t necessarily deserve to lose, but neither did they deserve to win, and are caught in a downward spiral – one which they don’t appear to breaking out of.

Oxford’s love affair with the Play-Offs just got all the more serious this Valentine’s Day. For Wigan, a divorce from League One is looking more likely…

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