Championship 21/03/2026 - Build up: Southampton v Oxford United

[Northstandboy]

St Mary's Stadium
Saturday 21st Mar 2026 @ 1500

 

[Belgium Yellow]

Just realised I went to the last match we played against them down there. Was the 1996 league cup 3-2 defeat. Can't believe it has been that long, they were still at The Dell then.

 

[MJB]

Just realised I went to the last match we played against them down there. Was the 1996 league cup 3-2 defeat. Can't believe it has been that long, they were still at The Dell then.

Bobby Ford scored a peach of a goal in that game.

 

[sideshowrob]

Great player - Bobby Ford!

 

[Essexyellows]

This has got a repeat of Leicester (A) written all over it.
Sold out away end.
Not played them away for decades.
First visit to a new ground.
I`ll be there.
1-2 away win.

Its written in the stars.....

 

[Under The Cuckoo Lane]

Great location for stadium near the Marina. Could be a great day out.

 

[BicesterU]

Not a lot, there is the Hindu temple on Radcliffe road, is about £15 cash but id suggest getting there at least 2 hours before KO to get a spot. Also there are a few places that you can park along empress road. My personal suggestion would be to park at west quay shopping centre and have a 30 mins stroll to the ground

You sound ITK on this - are their road closures in place around the ground on match days? How close could someone get dropped off?

 

[stu_tay]

You sound ITK on this - are their road closures in place around the ground on match days? How close could someone get dropped off?

Close friends who are season ticket holders so have been to a few games over the years. The immediate roads around the ground are closed. As far as I'm aware there are temporary road closure on the A3042 but not sure how long that is for, I'd guess 30 mins before and after KO. If you got dropped off on Radcliffe road, driver could turn around go out the way they came in and you have a 10 min walk to the ground.

 

[Boris]

Southampton just taken the lead against Norwich. If they win they'll be in the play-off positions after Wrexham lost last night. No injuries or red cards yet

 

[Symp59]

Yes they look dangerous going forward but they faff about with it in and around there own box almost arrogantly .Good team though might be a tough Saturday

 

[Sarge]

Yes they look dangerous going forward but they faff about with it in and around there own box almost arrogantly .Good team though might be a tough Saturday

I5ll be a hard game, but we'll beat them Saturday

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

I'd usually be loathe to make too many changes at the back, but I wonder if we might see Makosso back in?

He did very well (and was arguably our best player) in similar environments at both Coventry and Middlesbrough.

Just feels like we might need more composure on the ball now that we're back up against a top side that will do a lot more than just lump it in the box?

 

[Oxford84]

Close friends who are season ticket holders so have been to a few games over the years. The immediate roads around the ground are closed. As far as I'm aware there are temporary road closure on the A3042 but not sure how long that is for, I'd guess 30 mins before and after KO. If you got dropped off on Radcliffe road, driver could turn around go out the way they came in and you have a 10 min walk to the ground.

How about parking on chapel road?

 

[Oxford84]

Away record at Southampton W 0 D 1 L 7.

 

[Symp59]

Well Norwich were so unlucky what a good team ,but Southampton are also decent but I hope that's worn them out abit

 

[Boris]

Saints win 1-0

 

[sideshowrob]

10 minutes added time played (although the it was seven minutes, extended by Southampton players falling down like little girls).

 

[mickbrownsconscience]

Just realised I went to the last match we played against them down there. Was the 1996 league cup 3-2 defeat. Can't believe it has been that long, they were still at The Dell then.

I was there. Went with my old Dad and his geriatric best mate who was a big Saints fan and got us front seats in the main stand. It was a cracking game and the Saints fans around us were very complimentary of us.
And Bobby Ford's goal is still one of the best I've ever seen by an OUFC player.

 

[stu_tay]

How about parking on chapel road?

No idea in all honesty, I only know a little bit of the area and I can't recall knowing where chapel road is

 

[MG]

I recall seeing Mike Channon score against us at the Manor in an evening game which I think we lost 4-0.

 

[swolley]

I was there in 1996 and remember the Bobby Ford goal but not much more, other than huge CH scored the winner I think Cannot remember his name. Went on to play for wiltshire scummers.

 

[swolley]

Ruddock is the player I was,thinking of

 

[SamLongSlidingTackle]

Was reading some comments on their game and will be a tough game for us by the sounds but hopefully they’ll be knackered by the end and we can press.
Their goalie had a good game and they pressed for most of it. If we can go in 0-0 at half time I think we have a good chance.

 

[Reynolds97]

Any spare tickets please? Thanks

 

[Tomox]

Any spare tickets?

 

[JOHN BOY]

I'd usually be loathe to make too many changes at the back, but I wonder if we might see Makosso back in?

He did very well (and was arguably our best player) in similar environments at both Coventry and Middlesbrough.

Just feels like we might need more composure on the ball now that we're back up against a top side that will do a lot more than just lump it in the box?

Helik for me.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Cumming
Long Makosso Brown Currie
Brannagan Konak
Donley
Mills Lankshear MPH

My only change would be Makosso for Helik. Michał has played well in recent weeks, but in a game like this, I prefer Makosso for his ball playing ability. He's quicker, better 1v1 and can get us out of trouble if he has the space to drive forward. If we're pinned back with Helik in the back 4, he has a tendency to pump it forward. We need to be a bit smarter with how we progress the ball and get up the pitch.

I hope MPH is fit enough to start. Emakhu had a better second half against Charlton (which isn't saying much), but this isn't the game for him.

Konak has to start. I love Jamie McDonnell, but Konak offers us a bit more on the ball. I don't want to see us sitting back in a hope of a scraping a draw. I've seen enough in recent weeks to believe that on our day, we can beat anyone. We must be brave. This is the only way I can see us getting something out of Saturday..

1-1

 

[SamLongSlidingTackle]

Cumming
Long Makosso Brown Currie
Brannagan Konak
Donley
Mills Lankshear MPH

My only change would be Makosso for Helik. Michał has played well in recent weeks, but in a game like this, I prefer Makosso for his ball playing ability. He's quicker, better 1v1 and can get us out of trouble if he has the space to drive forward. If we're pinned back with Helik in the back 4, he has a tendency to pump it forward. We need to be a bit smarter with how we progress the ball and get up the pitch.

I hope MPH is fit enough to start. Emakhu had a better second half against Charlton (which isn't saying much), but this isn't the game for him.

Konak has to start. I love Jamie McDonnell, but Konak offers us a bit more on the ball. I don't want to see us sitting back in a hope of a scraping a draw. I've seen enough in recent weeks to believe that on our day, we can beat anyone. We must be brave. This is the only way I can see us getting something out of Saturday..

1-1

If we can bring on Jin-Woo at 60 minutes I think that would work well.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

If we can bring on Jin-Woo at 60 minutes I think that would work well.

Jin-Woo for Mills and Shemmy for MPH. Those are the obvious changes to make, but I like that Bloomfield doesn't pre-plan his changes and makes substitutions based on the state of play. We'll have a strong bench and that alone, is very encouraging!

 

[chuckbert]

Saints win 1-0

Just watched the extended highlights and it looked like Norwich could quite easily have done them with a bit more luck. Given that we're the team below Norwich with the best form, I've convinced myself that we can do it.

 

[Belgium Yellow]

I was there. Went with my old Dad and his geriatric best mate who was a big Saints fan and got us front seats in the main stand. It was a cracking game and the Saints fans around us were very complimentary of us.
And Bobby Ford's goal is still one of the best I've ever seen by an OUFC player.

I lived there at the time so was easier to get a ticket in the main stand. I remember there were a few of us cheering when we scored, so it must have been you! Found a video of it although it has a few bad edits