FAN FARE | Loss to bitter rivals revitalised Oxford

After playing some champagne football and reaching the last eight of the Carabao Cup, Oxford United had to swallow the bitter pill of ending last season with League One play-final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers. 

Whether hungover or heartbroken, The U's made a very sluggish start to their 2020/21 campaign - losing seven of their opening 10 games in the third tier. 

In late November, things looked to have gone from bad to worse, as Oxford were turned over at home by local rivals Swindon Town. However, a result that could have dissipated any remaining confidence, in fact galvanised Karl Robinson's men - who are unbeaten ever since (13 games and counting) and have clocked up nine successive wins across all competitions, a club record. 

To discuss this amazing turnaround in form, we caught up with Joe from The Yellow Army...

PM: Wins were hard to come by at the beginning of the season, but now you're flying along on a run of nine straight wins - what's changed?

YA: The defeat at home to our bitter rivals Swindon was the turning point. In that game we bossed the first half and were in control. The second half was extremely poor and the management and players knew they had let the fans down. To their credit we have come back strong and while Swindon have only gone backwards since, we have only got stronger.

PM: Sorry to reopen old wounds, but how big a knock was losing last season's play-off final to Wycombe? On the playing side, how much have you missed Rob Dickie since he left in the summer?

YA: The defeat in the play off final combined with a short pre season  meant there was a hangover from Wembley that we struggled to get over. Things were not looking good earlier in the season but we have moved on from the Wycombe defeat and will hopefully be swapping places with them come the end of the season. 

Losing a player of Rob Dickie's ability was a blow and did take a while to sort out. But we have an excellent recruitment team at Oxford United and already had Rob Atkinson who was out on loan last season to gain experience. He has come in and been brilliant. Alongside Elliott Moore who has also been superb, they have formed a solid partnership and are an important part of our recent success.

PM. Have Karl Robinson's tactics changed this season? How is the football you're playing now compared to your best stuff last season? Any tweaks in formation/playing style?

YA: Robinson has brought a fluid playing style that we stick to. We are probably a little more flexible in our approach and pass forward a little quicker to last season. Although we were excellent going forward last season, this year has seen us play some quality football.

📈 Unbeaten in 2021 (top 4 tier teams; all comps):

💥 Man City (WWWWWWWWW*)
💥 Swansea (WWWWDW)
💥 Oxford (WWWWW)
💥 Bradford (DWW)
💥 Carlisle (WW)

* results so far this year. #MCFC #Swans #OUFC #bcafc #cufc pic.twitter.com/Ymqro2dfvq

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) February 2, 2021

PM: What have been The U's highlights and lowlights this season?

YA: Lowlight is an easy one, the hugely disappointing defeat against Swindon. Beating Bristol Rovers at home for the first time in nearly 10 years and beating Fleetwood for the first time ever might not seem like particular highlights, but when they came as part of a nine-match winning run, it all adds up to us being in a much stronger position so that is the highlight so far.

PM: Your defenders are the most productive in the EFL this season - how important have they been to turning your season around? And how impressive has Jack Stevens been since replacing Simon Eastwood in goal?

YA: As mentioned already, our centre backs have been brilliant. Our full backs have also been superb, and we feel particularly proud as both Josh Ruffels and Sam Long are local lads who had to be patient in becoming regulars. Alex Gorrin who sits just in front of the back four is vital for us and he makes a big difference.

Jack Stevens has been a standout player for us since he came in. He a modern day keeper, he likes coming out, is good at taking crosses and is a quality shot shot stopper. Jack came through our Academy so we feel proud to see him doing so well.

PM: Only Peterborough's Jonson Clarke-Harris has hit more League One goals than Matty Taylor since the latter joined The U's - how important is he to this Oxford side?

YA: Matty Taylor is a proper striker, that elusive 20 goal a season man. He is a nightmare to play against and knows where to be in the box. As an Oxford lad he is a real fans favourite and someone who can score out of nothing. A top striker.

PM: You're lurking with intent on the edge of the L1 play-off picture - what is a realistic objective for the remainder of the season given The U's superlative form of late?

YA: I don't think anyone is getting carried away. We are on a good run but nothing has been achieved yet. I think the play offs are now a realistic aim for us and this team is certainly more than capable of achieving anything at the moment. 

We have a team full of local lads and some really good players and the team spirit they have means as fans we have reasons to get excited. This is a team and club to be proud of. COYY.

9 wins in a row, a club record.☑️

Climbing the league table ☑️

EFL Trophy semi finalists ☑️

A show of intent in the transfer window ☑️

Oxford United are on a roll 💛💙 #OUFC pic.twitter.com/ZHiODtZrXf

— The Yellow Army (@YellowArmyOUFC) February 2, 2021