Championship 14/03/2026 - Build-Up: Oxford United v Charlton Athletic

[Morris Oxford]

Not idea if the following is relevant to the Charlton match or not.

As I was sat in the car park before our game against Blackburn I was listening to the radio and the prematch report said that Charlton had made five for changes for their match away at Middlesbrough from the the team which had started the previous match at home to Birmingham.

It struck me at the time it was quite a lot of changes, I don’t know if they were tactical changes or forced through injury, but either way Charlton won both games 1-0 against two decent sides, no mean feat.

Delving a bit deeper it appears that they replaced their back 3 and the front 2, so my observation is without knowing anything about Charlton is that they appear to have a good squad with some depth, and the manager is not afraid to rotate and make changes.

Reckon this will be a tougher game than the previous three.

I’d love a win but I think it might be a score draw.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

If I can be pedantic for a moment, the goal yesterday was in front of the East Stand. Granted it was a long way in front of it, but in front all the same.

Also behind it, if you travel far enough.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Not idea if the following is relevant to the Charlton match or not.

As I was sat in the car park before our game against Blackburn I was listening to the radio and the prematch report said that Charlton had made five for changes for their match away at Middlesbrough from the the team which had started the previous match at home to Birmingham.

It struck me at the time it was quite a lot of changes, I don’t know if they were tactical changes or forced through injury, but either way Charlton won both games 1-0 against two decent sides, no mean feat.

Delving a bit deeper it appears that they replaced their back 3 and the front 2, so my observation is without knowing anything about Charlton is that they appear to have a good squad with some depth, and the manager is not afraid to rotate and make changes.

Reckon this will be a tougher game than the previous three.

I’d love a win but I think it might be a score draw.

They have a good manager who is also a nutter, make of that what you will

 

[Matty Greens Left Boot]

A win would be absolutely immense considering they are on form and really put pressure on the other teams around us.

 

[tomoufc]

Would assume we'll make a couple of changes for this due to fatigue. I wonder who will come in.

McDonnell for Konak, Emakhu for Peart-Harris?

 

[Rach]

McDonnell for Konak, Emakhu for Peart-Harris?

I'd be in favour of McDonnell starting. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

I'd be in favour of McDonnell starting. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet.

You absolutely can not drop Konak. By all means, replace with McDonnell (not Vaulks) after 60 or 70 minutes - but we're talking about a 20 year old just starting to hit his stride here.

Not averse to making a change or two, but centre midfield isn't the place for it.

 

[Rach]

You absolutely can not drop Konak. By all means, replace with McDonnell (not Vaulks) after 60 or 70 minutes - but we're talking about a 20 year old just starting to hit his stride here.

Not averse to making a change or two, but centre midfield isn't the place for it.

McDonnell is a (just) 22 year old just starting to hit his stride though. I think they're both great, which is a fantastic "problem" to have.

 

[Peterdev]

A settled team would be good either way Konak starting and the front line maintained.
Mph is due a goal, and Lankshear easily the best forward at present. Tomorrow’s is the best chance to finally get out of the bottom three. Can’t believe three wins left us bottom two until that dramatic equalizer from Southampton

 

[EastSussexOx]

I would be tempted to rotate in defence, long has been a warrior and always gives 100% but has just come through 90 mins in physically demanding position and Spencer or Ter Avest would bring fresh energy. Would also probably bring in Makosso for Helik (though more torn on this one as can see benefits of a stable centre back pairing, but think Makosso is a slightly better player than Helik and would benefit from fresh legs and pace against a refreshed Charlton forward line). I would keep the centre mid as is but bring on McDonnel for Konak for fresh legs later in the game. Mills and Donley have to start.
Feel ambivalent re: Prelec vs Lanks and MPH vs one of Jin Woo Jeon or Emakhu on balance between keeping a winning team (also players were subbed so shouldn't be too knackered) vs having less knackered players providing extra freshness. Good to have options and ability to rotate without significantly weakening the team.

 

[Foley]

It sounds as if there is at least one knock.
Currie was struggling after his block near the end and I wonder if he could be struggling?
Not sure that I would make any changes other than enforced ones ( unless sports science suggests something else)
Definitely start with Konak alongside Cam unless one is injured

 

[Littlemore Local]

Unchanged. "False wingback" cheat code.

Bloomfield has said a couple of knocks in the squad. We've got pretty good cover in most areas. The hardest to replace for me would probably be Brannagan and Donley. Would like to see some minutes for Shemmy and Jinwoo who I hope will both contribute to the run in.

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

McDonnell is a (just) 22 year old just starting to hit his stride though. I think they're both great, which is a fantastic "problem" to have.

For me, Konak is a far better all-round player than McDonnell, particularly his passing.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

These last few games we've looked noticeably fitter and sharper than at any point this season. Stark contrast to WBA, Blackburn and Pompey who, to my eyes, all showing obvious signs of fatigue. Especially Pompey. I'd say keeping the side settled is top priority unless the sports science says otherwise. Hopefully that includes Konak who has transformed us and makes us so much harder to play against

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

Charlton’s win at Middlesbrough was the epitome of smash and grab. They were absolutely battered.

We should approach every game as a challenge, that’s for sure, but this is eminently winnable and I think some as reading too much into that Charlton win. I was speaking to a Charlton fan the other day and his feeling is that they are limited on quality, albeit they have good cover for plenty of situations in their squad.

2-1 us. Lankshear and Emakhu.

 

[Rach]

For me, Konak is a far better all-round player than McDonnell, particularly his passing.

For me, McDonnell is more willing to commit to a tackle. They are both great.

 

[SteMerritt]

One thing worth noting, Charlton are one of the top teams for keeping clean sheets this season. We may have to be patient, getting a win certainly isn't going to be easy.

 

[Bretch Hill]

I remember the last Charlton game hoping to remember this one as well but in a more positive light.

 

[Barbadosyellow]

All our home defeats this season, apart from Portsmouth, have been against the teams which are currently mid table. I guess it's just a coincidence and doesn't have any significance for tomorrow. Otherwise we'd better classify Charlton as in the relegation zone.

 

[JayOx88]

Giving Long a breather for Spencer would make sense, and I can see the merits in giving Peart-Harris and/or Lankshear a rest. Otherwise, injuries aside, we need to keep the momentum of our last three games going. Mills, Donley and Konak have to start - tiredness is a much easier excuse when you're in a bad patch, but these are young players who are really hitting form now and we have to utilise our new-found confidence in such a big game.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

 

[m]

I'm pretty sure that the Charlton supporters, unlike the Blackburn supporters, won't turn up already beaten.

How much of a factor this is, is obviously debatable.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

See a few changes for this one. Charlton likely to make a lot of changes.

Spencer, McDonnell & Emakhu in for Long, Konak & MPH.

 

[tonyw]

Have to say, I think any talk about giving Konak a rest is absolutely nuts! The lad is 20 years old and has started a grand total of four games this season - he's not going to be physically worn down yet. He's a more refined player than McDonnell and has been utterly crucial to this winning streak. His workrate and willingness, on and off the ball, has freed Cam up and enabled him to find his best form of the season. I'm running Konak out there each and every game until I see any signs of a downtick in form.

Same goes for Lankshear, Mills, Cam & Donley - all in their best form of the season, so unless they have a knock, they should be out there again. We've got a week off before Southampton, and then two weeks off (for many of the squad) after that. Now is not the time to be giving our best players a break.

I also wouldn't change the CB pairing, even though I really rate Makosso, because Helik and Brown have been mostly rock solid this past three games and they clearly understand eachother well (the Preston goal the only thing they've really gotten wrong).


The only changes I would make - unless there are indeed knocks that require a rest - would be Woo for MPH (who hasn't been bad, but things just haven't been coming off for him, so I think an injection of fresh energy might be helpful) and maybe Spencer in at one of the fullback positions (not that Long and Currie haven't been great, but I'd like to get that extra bit of athleticism out there).

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Unchanged. This is the best we have looked all season, so to make changes for the sake of rotation with an international break around the corner, feels a bit unnecessary to me. We have 90 minutes against Charlton to empty the tank and put everything into this fixture. We're a young team, full of energy and high on confidence. If we need to make subs sooner than usual, I'm okay with that. After a good January window, we now have the depth to do so..

That being said, after Bloomfields comments post-Blackburn, I can see us making a few changes:

Cumming
Spencer Makosso Brown Currie
Brannagan Konak
Donley
Mills Lankshear Jin Woo

2-0 Oxford: Lankshear and Brown

 

[The Voice Of Reason]

1. Go unChanged unless we have to.
2. Continue the unbeaten rum as it's not only. A point but also continues the confidence, and also the competition see we are still the form team

 

[TheDukeOfBanburyshire]

You absolutely can not drop Konak. By all means, replace with McDonnell (not Vaulks) after 60 or 70 minutes - but we're talking about a 20 year old just starting to hit his stride here.

Not averse to making a change or two, but centre midfield isn't the place for it.

100% this.

 

[JOHN BOY]

Unchanged. This is the best we have looked all season, so to make changes for the sake of rotation with an international break around the corner, feels a bit unnecessary to me. We have 90 minutes against Charlton to empty the tank and put everything into this fixture. We're a young team, full of energy and high on confidence. If we need to make subs sooner than usual, I'm okay with that. After a good January window, we now have the depth to do so..

That being said, after Bloomfields comments post-Blackburn, I can see us making a few changes:

Cumming
Spencer Makosso Brown Currie
Brannagan Konak
Donley
Mills Lankshear Jin Woo

2-0 Oxford: Lankshear and Brown

Helik is one I would definitely not change.

 

[Joey]

I'd try and make as few changes as possible but the sports science guys will surely have some say. Definitely wouldn't be dropping Konak, he's in good form and won't have any need for a rest yet. I like McDonnell but plenty of Mansfield fans have said he's limited on the ball and we've seen evidence of that already, a home game against a Charlton side who are likely to sit deep isn't the time to be reducing how effective we are in possession given we may see over 50% of it tomorrow. Konak looks as good at winning possession but a bit better in tight spaces and better range of passing, plus he's got a partnership going that's getting the best out of Brannagan. By the same token if ter Avest is fit I'd be tempted to play him as he gives us more on the ball.

Seen some comments about dropping Helik which I'd be dead against, there's a fair argument that he's been our best player since his return to the side. I get there being a horses for courses approach to some extent but it's a poor message if someone can lose their place after performing so well plus he looks to be back to providing a threat from set plays which is a huge plus. The other change I can think of that I wouldn't be adverse to is Jinoo coming in for MPH, who's lost a little fo the spark recently.

 

[Daviddidcotexile]

I'd try and make as few changes as possible but the sports science guys will surely have some say. Definitely wouldn't be dropping Konak, he's in good form and won't have any need for a rest yet. I like McDonnell but plenty of Mansfield fans have said he's limited on the ball and we've seen evidence of that already, a home game against a Charlton side who are likely to sit deep isn't the time to be reducing how effective we are in possession given we may see over 50% of it tomorrow. Konak looks as good at winning possession but a bit better in tight spaces and better range of passing, plus he's got a partnership going that's getting the best out of Brannagan. By the same token if ter Avest is fit I'd be tempted to play him as he gives us more on the ball.

Seen some comments about dropping Helik which I'd be dead against, there's a fair argument that he's been our best player since his return to the side. I get there being a horses for courses approach to some extent but it's a poor message if someone can lose their place after performing so well plus he looks to be back to providing a threat from set plays which is a huge plus. The other change I can think of that I wouldn't be adverse to is Jinoo coming in for MPH, who's lost a little fo the spark recently.

Mph does do the long throws !