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

[MG]

Our performance at the Valley earlier this season left me feeling we were doomed. But what little hope I felt was generated by Charlton’s equally abysmal performance with, of course, the important exception of their taking the only chance that came their way. How they have turned around since then is a bit of a mystery to me. But having seen highlights from their unlikely win at Boro, I think tomorrow we have a good chance of winning. Given the other fixtures, I’m also confident we can finally clamber out of the zone. As such I see the fixture as potentially our most significant of the season from a psychological perspective.

 

[Wallop]

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.

I still see Jin Woo as a luxury and something of an unknown so this isn't the right time imho for a start. If we're 1-0 down with 20 to go then I can see a case for it.

MPH does a lot of breaking up opposition build-up play that may go unnoticed, he also wins a lot of free kicks, is good in the air (outlet for Cumming) and very rarely loses the ball. Oh and then there's the long throws.

 

[Joey]

I still see Jin Woo as a luxury and something of an unknown so this isn't the right time imho for a start. If we're 1-0 down with 20 to go then I can see a case for it.

MPH does a lot of breaking up opposition build-up play that may go unnoticed, he also wins a lot of free kicks, is good in the air (outlet for Cumming) and very rarely loses the ball. Oh and then there's the long throws.

I've been impressed with him when I've seen him and he looks like he's happy to have a pop which would be handy against a team liekly to sit deep and try and frustrate. I recognise what MPH brings too and I'm a fan of his, he looks a proper Championship footballer, but I think we might be a bit more direct with Jin Woo. Admittedly I had forgotten that MPH is in charge of chucking the ball in which is pretty important.

 

[RgYellows]

Re MPH, I’ve not seen any credit for the fact that it was his header Donley scored from.

 

[TobyDavis34]

Re MPH, I’ve not seen any credit for the fact that it was his header Donley scored from.

…that he probably should have scored from in the first place.

I’m an MPH fan but he has had a couple of quieter games. Should have had two on Wednesday tbh.

 

[NorthWestOx]

All this talk of Charlton sitting deep, whilst that may be true of their other Championship games, I think they'll come and attack us.
I hope they do, it should make for a good game, and hopefully 3 more points.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

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

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

MPH looks like he needs a rest. The strength and conditioning guys could be the key to victory here.

Long may our winning run continue, I don't want to see their manager's histrionics on our pitch at full time.

 

[BicesterU]

Konak plays for me if he's fit and rested.

I can see the argument for Makosso over Helik and Makosso offers more on the ball, and we're likely to see more of it tomorrow than we usually do. But it'd be harsh on Helik.

Spencer for Long is another maybe for me, and for similar reasons as Makosso/Helik.

But all that said, if they're all fit and all well-rested, I'd be happy with going unchanged. .

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Konak plays for me if he's fit and rested.

I can see the argument for Makosso over Helik and Makosso offers more on the ball, and we're likely to see more of it tomorrow than we usually do. But it'd be harsh on Helik.

Spencer for Long is another maybe for me, and for similar reasons as Makosso/Helik.

But all that said, if they're all fit and all well-rested, I'd be happy with going unchanged. .

Charlton basically wrote off the Boro game and made lots of changes targetting points against us! They're starting XI will be more rested than ours.

 

[RgYellows]

Charlton basically wrote off the Boro game and made lots of changes targetting points against us! They're starting XI will be more rested than ours.

Sure, if they want to drop the back line that kept a clean sheet at Boro (and scored the winner). Those players would love that.

 

[38yearsofpain]

I still see Jin Woo as a luxury and something of an unknown so this isn't the right time imho for a start. If we're 1-0 down with 20 to go then I can see a case for it.

MPH does a lot of breaking up opposition build-up play that may go unnoticed, he also wins a lot of free kicks, is good in the air (outlet for Cumming) and very rarely loses the ball. Oh and then there's the long throws.

Id be amased to see Jin Woo start. MPH, together with Donley Mills and Lankshear have started to press opposition defenders. That alone has meant we have become more competitive and combative. Jin Woo in his brief apperances seems unable to currently match the intensity required in that role.
We have won 3 on the bounce but always have less than 40% possession that means ability without the ball is as important as what players do with it. Im sure we will be unchanged unless injury or sports science says otherwise.

 

[Mad Dog]

All this talk of resting players is madness, MADNESS I tell you!!

We've just won three games back to back for the first time in god knows how long, we're on the verge of getting out of the relegation zone, and we have real momentum for the first time this season, and people want to make changes?!?

The players are young, professional athletes, they'll be fine, and will no doubt be chomping at the bit to play again ASAP!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and for once, it ain't broke!

 

[tonyw]

Konak plays for me if he's fit and rested.

I can see the argument for Makosso over Helik and Makosso offers more on the ball, and we're likely to see more of it tomorrow than we usually do. But it'd be harsh on Helik.

Spencer for Long is another maybe for me, and for similar reasons as Makosso/Helik.

But all that said, if they're all fit and all well-rested, I'd be happy with going unchanged. .

Only two teams have scored fewer open play goals than Charlton this season - Wednesday and ourselves. But they are very proficient at set pieces.

So if their main point of attack is likely to be pumping balls into the box......no way we want to bench our Polish monster; when he's on form (as he is now) he gets his head on everything!

Maybe we might consider Makosso coming in for Southampton (who score a ton of open play goals and are likely to have 75% possession and try and pass and move their way around us), but not for Charlton.

 

[Jster]

I would change absolutely nothing that isn't forced by injury/sports science.

 

[Swaby39]

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.

Agree.

I’d argue there couldn’t be a worse time to remove Helik when a) he’s playing so well and b) our opponent will play one or both of Leaburn and Dykes and we all know the ball isn’t going through midfield from Charlton! Neither have pace but will certainly be physical. Leaving Makosso out is a sign of strength and we shouldn’t be putting him back in just because.

It’s hard to drop anybody. I was worried on Wednesday when we went unchanged but that XI seems to be recovering well between games. You just wonder when it’ll be one too many.

I agree that if you were to take someone out, Long might be the one and I’d say MPH the other. But even with them, we’d lose something defensively in Sam and it’s a question of whether we can make the in-possession gain of Ter Avest count for something. I think I’d actually go for Spencer in that scenario who should be well rested by now and the most balanced of our right sided options.

And with MPH you’d lose the long throw and physicality. Jin-Woo might brighten things up where MPH has been a bit sub-par but you daren’t lose an outlet in transition, so it is tricky.

There is a part of me that wonders whether Lankshear for Prelec should be looked at. Charlton will be physical and probably play deep and I don’t know that Lankshear is the type to find opportunity in that. Refs hate him for a start.

I think he will go unchanged knowing that wholesale changes could be needed earlier in the game than he’d like, and I’d understand it if he did that when we’re going for 4 straight wins.

 

[Swaby39]

All this talk of Charlton sitting deep, whilst that may be true of their other Championship games, I think they'll come and attack us.
I hope they do, it should make for a good game, and hopefully 3 more points.

Why when a draw is perfectly good for them in this game? I don’t see them throwing the kitchen sink at this at all. Jones will know maintaining the gap is huge for them and beating us would be a bonus. I think they’ll see if they can grab something early on to hold on to but if they can’t within, say, 15-20 mins, they will drop further and further back. First half an hour is absolutely critical tomorrow imo. We absolutely cannot let them go in front.

 

[Stanford yellow]

Shemmy for MPH on 70 minutes?

 

[38yearsofpain]

Why when a draw is perfectly good for them in this game? I don’t see them throwing the kitchen sink at this at all. Jones will know maintaining the gap is huge for them and beating us would be a bonus. I think they’ll see if they can grab something early on to hold on to but if they can’t within, say, 15-20 mins, they will drop further and further back. First half an hour is absolutely critical tomorrow imo. We absolutely cannot let them go in front.

Charlton dont throw the kitchen sink at anything, even a kitchen!. They make themselves very difficult to beat and look to score from set pieces. You could reasonbly argue we will be playing ourselves. It is not likely to be a festival of intricate football.

 

[Oxfordpete]

McDonnell for Konak, Emakhu for Peart-Harris?

Peart Harris does lots and lots of good work but his shooting is dire

 

[JOHN BOY]

All this talk of resting players is madness, MADNESS I tell you!!

We've just won three games back to back for the first time in god knows how long, we're on the verge of getting out of the relegation zone, and we have real momentum for the first time this season, and people want to make changes?!?

The players are young, professional athletes, they'll be fine, and will no doubt be chomping at the bit to play again ASAP!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and for once, it ain't broke!

Totally agree.

 

[forevayella]

I’ve been really impressed with Helik since he got back into the side. Back to being an aggressive b******d like when he first joined.

Bloomfield made a ballsy decision by dropping our most in form defender and putting him back in. It may have sent a message out that he means business and probably earned him more respect from the other players.

I hope to see Makosso get back in the side at some point but at the moment the defence is looking pretty solid.

 

[forevayella]

Shemmy for MPH on 70 minutes?

Shemmy for no one thanks

 

[Symp59]

Helik has been excellent, the defence will hopefully hold firmly tomorrow. We would love a win ,lets hope we go for the juggler before heading to Southampton time for MPH to having an unbelievable game show what he's about and score a worldey get a penalty put on MOTM performance and get 4 wins on the bounce. Do not lose

 

[90syeIlow]

All this talk of resting players is madness, MADNESS I tell you!!

We've just won three games back to back for the first time in god knows how long, we're on the verge of getting out of the relegation zone, and we have real momentum for the first time this season, and people want to make changes?!?

The players are young, professional athletes, they'll be fine, and will no doubt be chomping at the bit to play again ASAP!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and for once, it ain't broke!

It's not madness.

For the large majority of this season we have looked unfit and performed poorly when the same players have started back to back games which has been called out multiple times on here. I'm as happy as anyone to keep the same lineup, but if any player needs a rest such as MPH, then so be it.

 

[werthersoriginal]

It's not madness.

For the large majority of this season we have looked unfit and performed poorly when the same players have started back to back games which has been called out multiple times on here. I'm as happy as anyone to keep the same lineup, but if any player needs a rest such as MPH, then so be it.

Does MPH need a rest? I think that’s just what he’s like, I’ve never seen him run at any speed.

 

[38yearsofpain]

It's not madness.

For the large majority of this season we have looked unfit and performed poorly when the same players have started back to back games which has been called out multiple times on here. I'm as happy as anyone to keep the same lineup, but if any player needs a rest such as MPH, then so be it.

Totally agree but Donley and Konak have added huge energy to the middle of the park. They are young and hungry and havent played a huge amount of minutes. They have been the catalyst for the real improvement. Suddenly we are pressing, suddenly Cam Bran has time to do his thing, suddenly we are not getting overrun.
But equally as important everyone has bought into the latest formation that helps to make the team better than the sum of the parts.
Credit to Bloomfield and Dodds who have adapted and found something that appears to be working.

 

[Foley]

Charlton basically wrote off the Boro game and made lots of changes targetting points against us! They're starting XI will be more rested than ours.

They made 5 changes and often do for away games as opposed to home games.
Not sure they will be that rested as they all traveled to Middlesbrough on Wednesday

 

[Barbadosyellow]

Charlton dont throw the kitchen sink at anything, even a kitchen!

Can't stop myself laughing at this

 

[Barbadosyellow]

Shemmy for no one thanks

Have to agree. The team is looking much less accident prone without him.

 

[Morris Oxford]

My inclination is to make as few changes as possible unless dictated by fitness. Momentum and confidence is so important in sport especially professional sport, and we appear to have found some, so same again if possible please, with substitutions a bit earlier than usual if need be.

However should we lose the match I suspect Bloomfield will be criticised whether he has made changes or not, that I’m afraid is the nature of the beast, but then again he he has far more information than we do about players fitness and sports science.

Let’s hope go for it and are rewarded with a good win.