Oxford United: The ‘Nearly’ Case

Oxford United’s 0-0 stalemate against Charlton Athletic proved one key thing – Oxford are close to being a top League One side, but aren’t quite there yet.

Whilst ‘cagey’ may not have been the right word to describe the first-half – both Oxford and Charlton were forward-thinking in play when they had the opportunity to be so – neither is ‘open’.

A stop-start first 45, the U’s had the better of the chances, with Dan Agyei causing Charlton centre-half Akin Famewo problems allowing firstly himself and then Josh Ruffels’ two similar opportunities on goal. Neither could capitalise from tight angles, however, both firing over.

Jake Forster-Caskey, making his 100th Addicks appearance, put himself about and was at the centre of action both defensively and offensively. He linked up well with Conor Washington and Liam Millar, with veteran midfielder Ben Watson hanging back playing the devil’s advocate in holding midfield.

Lee Bowyer would likely have been the happier of the two managers at half-time, and it was clear that Charlton hadn’t come to put eleven men behind the ball.

Whilst chances for the Addicks were sporadic, they were good in nature – Forster-Caskey fired high and wide from the corner of the six-yard box and then nodded a header only inches over the bar.

It was go big or go home for both teams after the break, with the game opening up in the second half.

Charlton remained a threat from the wings and on the counter-attack, with last-ditch tackles from Alex Gorrin and Elliott Moore preventing the likes of Washington and Millar through on goal. Oxford grew into the half and, by the hour mark, looked likely to go on and win it.

Anthony Forde’s thunderbolt from just inside the Charlton box smashed the post and rocketed back out before Charlton broke and Millar’s curler narrowly evaded Jack Stevens’ goal.

Jayden Stockley’s introduction for top-scorer Chuks Aneke was a welcome one, with the on-loan Preston striker keeping Oxford’s back four on their toes, especially from set plays and crosses. The Addicks were well structured and wouldn’t have necessarily deserved to lose, although neither would the U’s.

Hence, it was only fair that Ronnie Schwartz’s 93rd-minute penalty was incredibly saved by the Oxford goalkeeper Stevens. After referee Tom Nield pointed to the spot, Schwartz stepped up and his strike wasn’t a bad one at all. Rather, Stevens’ save was of the highest quality, tipping over the bar at full stretch.

Oxford are so close to being a top League One team, but they’re missing a vital cutting edge – namely in the shape of a number ten playmaker.

The U’s stalemate with Bowyer’s men was by no means a bore-draw. Karl Robinson can, and did, take a lot of positives from the performance, saying after the match that ‘we’re playing the big boys, and nobody has walked over us’.

The Oxford boss is right – the U’s defence has been consistently solid, battle hard and are willing to put themselves where the studs are flying.

In fact, the Yellows have kept three clean sheets in their last five games. Together with Stevens in goal, Oxford have a very good defensive base. Their attack is also very prolific on its day, but recently it’s run dry.

Why? Well, arguably, it’s because of Oxford’s midfield.

That may seem a strange statement to make. With Cameron Brannagan, Liam Kelly, Alex Gorrin, Mark Sykes, Marcus McGuane (when fit) and Jamie Hanson all able to play in the middle of the park, Oxford possess both brawn and brains in midfield.

When things aren’t quite coming off for you, as they aren’t for Robinson’s men at the moment, the connection between the front three and midfield three needs to be sharp.

The U’s are arguably missing the type of player that would ensure that – an out and out number ten – whether it’s due to the 4-3-3 formation they tend to use, or due to the personnel available.

Brannagan and Gorrin are both very good in the deep-lying playmaker and box-to-box midfield roles, and, on his day, Kelly provides the flair.

Yet, one too many times against Charlton, Oxford had to work around the edge of the box or play the long ball out wide as there wasn’t a spare man breaking free from the midfield often enough to link anchor man Gorrin with Agyei or Olamide Shodipo upfront.

As boss Robinson further explained when talking to BBC Oxford, ‘we’re having those moments in front of goal when things don’t go our way’.

It’s true – not scoring in three of your last five games is unlucky to an extent. Yet, you can’t help but wonder it’s because Oxford either doesn’t have or aren’t utilising a player that will add the cement to the bricks and provide the free-roaming outlet that could be able to restore that little bit of cohesion missing at the Kassam.

Robinson summarised this in his post-match press conference, explaining to the Oxford Mail that ‘it’s close, but it’s not close enough. But it will turn, I’ve got belief in my team’.

Talking to Prost International’s Sam Hudspith, the Oxford manager explained that ‘from our performance, you could say that [it’s two points dropped rather than a point gained]…but it shows you how far we’ve come when teams like Charlton see that as a positive point’.

And so Charlton should because Oxford are a good team. They’re ambitious, they’re tenacious and they’ve got good players. But, for the moment, Oxford are nearly there. Nearly, but not quite.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt