Player News Best Team of the Kassam Era

[Mintyshoe]

Team of the Kassam era:



Just for fun - don’t get insulted if your favourite player isn’t listed! It’s football ability based, and the level/consistency the players went on to achieve. EG undoubted legends like Constable were standout players at a time when the club played at a much lower level, so there should be a heavier representation from more recent players given our upward trajectory…although the Appleton L2 team really was an outlier. Let me know if I’ve missed anyone obvious, and how you think this team would do in the current Championship when they were all at their prime…

Honourable mentions and caveats:

- Joey Beauchamp: technically played at the Kassam but in my mind was a Manor era legend.

- Edit: GK Prime Eastwood*

- A few CBs: Rob Dickie, Elliott Moore…and then Curtis Nelson, Luke McNally, Rob Atkinson, Ben Nelson. There’s an argument to shift Brown to LB. Edit: Jake The Beanstalk Wright*

- Full Backs: Jonjoe Kenny, Hidde ter Avest, Greg Leigh, Sam Long. LB seems to be the standout problem area, but I thought Ricardinho was quality in a poor side. Edit: Josh Ruffels* and Chris Cadden*

- Midfielders: Ryan Ledson, Shandon Baptiste, Dean Whitehead, Will Vaulks, Ruben Rodrigues. Edit: Chris Maguire*

- Wingers: Marvin Johnson, Callum O’Dowda (neither really played LB for us), Chris Hackett, Tyler Goodhram, Placheta and Dembele. Edit: Tarique Fosu* and Jordan Graham*

- Strikers: Mark Harris, Matty Taylor, Constable (as above). Edit: Jamie Brooks*

- Loans with insufficient impact: Toni Martinez, Emiliano Martínez, Jordan Rhodes, Ashley Barnes, Wes Burns, Carlton Morris…clearly some of these would make the team! It’s probably telling that Baldock was the only loan player to really feel like an Oxford United legend of the Kassam era - what a player we were fortunate enough to call our own for a time.

- Swansong: Dave Kitson, Michael Duberry


At the Kassam:

BEST PLAYER FOR US: Cameron Brannagan

BEST PLAYER TO HAVE PLAYED FOR US: John Lundstram

BEST PLAYER TO WEAR THE SHIRT: Emiliano Martinez

 

[n1]

BEANO???

 

[Mintyshoe]

BEANO???

Read the post!

 

[RgYellows]

I didn’t see any Oxford player take the p**s out of the opposition like Jordan Graham until Josh Murphy welcomed Peterborough.

 

[NorthWestOx]

Maguire???
Gets in, in place of Rothwell for me, with Cam switching back.

Emiliano Martinez never actually played at the ka$$am.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

Prime Eastwood over Cumming, for me.

 

[Mintyshoe]

Maguire???
Gets in, in place of Rothwell for me, with Cam switching back.

Emiliano Martinez never actually played at the ka$$am.

Maguire deserves a mention, but for me Rothwell has gone on to have a better career and play at a higher level.

As for Emi, 1 appearance in 2011-12! Not at the Kassam but during that era.

 

[dickwalton1964]

Left back would be Marvin Johnson ahead of Ruffels and then Richardinho. Rob Dickie was immense for us, I'd find a place for him.

 

[BrockBuster]

Wouldn't have Helik over Moore even with his recent goalscoring exploits. One player missed from consideration was Chris Cadden, who looked like a Rolls Royce at RB in the 20 or so games he played a few seasons back.

 

[Mintyshoe]

Left back would be Marvin Johnson ahead of Ruffels and then Richardinho. Rob Dickie was immense for us, I'd find a place for him.

Good shout on Ruffels - you’re probably right re Johnson but feels like a bit of a cheat as he was predominantly a LW for us.

 

[McXal]

Feels harsh Jake Wright wasn’t even mentioned. Stalwart, outstanding performer in two promotion campaigns (including the club-saving Conference 2010 playoff win). Was harshly moved on then went on to achieve more after leaving us.

Also a giant colossus of a man

 

[holdsteady]

Feels harsh Jake Wright wasn’t even mentioned. Stalwart, outstanding performer in two promotion campaigns (including the club-saving Conference 2010 playoff win). Was harshly moved on then went on to achieve more after leaving us.

Also a giant colossus of a man

Some would say he was the worlds smallest giant, others would say he was the worlds tallest midget, most of us just look on confused and wonder how tall he actually is?

 

[Mintyshoe]

Feels harsh Jake Wright wasn’t even mentioned. Stalwart, outstanding performer in two promotion campaigns (including the club-saving Conference 2010 playoff win). Was harshly moved on then went on to achieve more after leaving us.

Also a giant colossus of a man

He falls more under the Constable umbrella of great at a lower level, although you’re right, he did have a season or two at Sheffield United.

If this were an “Impact/Legends” team you’d have to mention more of that squad - Constable, Potter, Wright etc.

 

[Common Villager]

I think best player in their prime/best career vs how they performed during their time here is a very different conversation. As you allude to, the likes of Kitson and Duberry would be in the team based on their prime, as would David Connolly, Mike Williamson, Rufus Brevett and I'm sure a few others who had decent careers in the PL.

I was a big fan of Rothwell, but it never really seemed to click for him here. I think successive managers struggled to work out how to get the most out of him. I also liked Ricardinho, but I think he was more of a cult figure than standout performer (IMO Bennett or Leigh would get in the team in front of him).

Centre back you could take your pick from about 6 or 7 options. We've done well in that regard over the years. That said, 6'6" Jake Wright should at least feature on the 'honourable mentions' list. Got to be a very small list of players who've been promoted twice with us during the Kassam era (Sam Long possibly the only other, although not sure he actually made a League appearance during the 15/16 promotion season).

EDIT - posted before seeing McXal's post!

 

[DenbighYellow]

I would have Nelson x2, Dickie, Wright, McNally, Moore and maybe even Atkinson above Helik thus far.

If I was being a pedant I'd also have Brannagan deeper and Rothwell in the 10. Think Brannagan is a much better player deeper facing the play and spraying his passes.

Alex Mowatt is another one who was average for us but has since become one of the most consistent midfielders in the Championship over the last 6/7 seasons.

 

[Didcotox]

Good topic.
GK - Cumming
RB - Baldock
LB - Leigh
CB - Dickie
CB - Helik
CM - Brannagan
CM - Lundstram
RW - Fosu
LW - Murphy
CAM - Maguire
ST - Roofe

 

[Mintyshoe]

Good topic.
GK - Cumming
RB - Baldock
LB - Leigh
CB - Dickie
CB - Helik
CM - Brannagan
CM - Lundstram
RW - Fosu
LW - Murphy
CAM - Maguire
ST - Roofe

Fosu! He was superb for us, can’t believe he only played 25 games. Will add to honourable mentions.

Consensus seems to be Ruffels/Leigh at LB which is fair - certainly adds goals!

 

[Mintyshoe]

My thoughts on a few others:

@RgYellows mentioned Jordan Graham - I remember him looking absolutely unplayable (Leyton Orient away anyone?). It’s a shame his career has been plagued by injuries else he could have gone on to great things. Similar story for Rob Hall, Marcus Browne and to a lesser extent Nathan Holland.

Chris Maguire - technically one of the best, but my memory is mainly frustration that he didn’t apply it as much as he could have. He lacked the physical and some of the mental attributes needed to step up to the Premier League but was undoubtedly one of the top Kassam era players. Just beaten out by Rothwell/Henry imo.

 

[Jster]

I'd rate Maguire well ahead of Rothwell in their respective times at Oxford. Maguire was an absolute talisman in that first season back in League 1.

 

[UTO]

GK Eastwood for his first couple of years after his return. Cumming very close behind.
DR Baldock. Easily
DL Leigh. Was never a big Ruffs fan.
DC Dickie & Crosby. Bloody loved Andy Crosby!

MC Lundstram and Brannagan. Both can do any midfield role!

LW Murphy or Johnson. Both proper out and out left wingers but neither did it for a long spell for the club.

RW Maguire. Class the year in league 1. Legend of shithousery. Let him cut inside for Baldock to overlap

CF Roofe. Class

 

[unification]

I don't quite get why there are so many mentions for Rothwell. He was more than reasonable for us but losing Lundstram and Ledson for when they eventually went up the ladder felt like a much bigger loss.

Dave Kitson deserves no honourable mentions either. A disinterested passenger who signed a two-year deal only to retire after one and expect to be paid up for it.

Anyway, taking in a cocktail of quality, application when in an Oxford shirt and contribution to the OUFC cause, I'd go with:

GK: Jamie Cumming
RB: George Baldock (who else?)
CB: Rob Dickie
CB: Elliott Moore
LB: Mateo Corbo (EDIT. Was Josh Ruffels)
CM: Ryan Ledson
CM: John Lundstram
CM: Cameron Brannagan
FW: Tariq Fosu
FW: Matty Taylor
FW: Kemar Roofe

Subs
GK: Eastwood (2016-19 exclusive)
CB: Ciaron Brown
CB: Luke McNally
CM: Shandon Baptiste
CM: Dean Whitehead
FW: Josh Murphy
FW: James Henry

Players not getting in on ability but I loved to watch regardless: Danny Hylton, James Constable, Dannie Bulman, Andy Crosby, Rob Atkinson, Mark Sykes, Gavin Whyte, Greg Leigh, Rob Hall, Chris Maguire, Jake Wright, Sam Long, Callum O'Dowda, Conor McAleny, Ben Nelson, Michal Helik, Jonjoe Kenny, Joe Skarz, Chey Dunkley, Ruben Rodrigues, Ricardinho, Peter Leven.

I could name more. It's good to reflect on the best players once in a while!

 

[Whingit]

Turley
Baldock Long Dickie Corbo
Maguire Brannigan Lundstram Hall
Roofe Beano

 

[Basham Wonderland]

A lot of fair weather fans here who simply don't remember how good Ricky Sappleton was for us.

Sometimes the brightest stars shine for the shortest time.

 

[SamLongSlidingTackle]

Turley

Finally, someone talking sense
I'd have Ryan Clarke

My fav quote:
"It was the first clean sheet in nine league games for United, and prompted visiting manager Martin Allen to liken the stopper to Joe Hart and Gordon Banks."

Oxford v Gills reaction

www.kentonline.co.uk

 

[Mintyshoe]

I don't quite get why there are so many mentions for Rothwell. He was more than reasonable for us but losing Lundstram and Ledson for when they eventually went up the ladder felt like a much bigger loss.

Dave Kitson deserves no honourable mentions either. A disinterested passenger who signed a two-year deal only to retire after one and expect to be paid up for it.

Anyway, taking in a cocktail of quality, application when in an Oxford shirt and contribution to the OUFC cause, I'd go with:

GK: Jamie Cumming
RB: George Baldock (who else?)
CB: Rob Dickie
CB: Elliott Moore
LB: Josh Ruffels
CM: Ryan Ledson
CM: John Lundstram
CM: Cameron Brannagan
FW: Tariq Fosu
FW: Matty Taylor
FW: Kemar Roofe

Subs
GK: Eastwood (2016-19 exclusive)
CB: Ciaron Brown
CB: Luke McNally
CM: Shandon Baptiste
CM: Dean Whitehead
FW: Josh Murphy
FW: James Henry

Players not getting in on ability but I loved to watch regardless: Danny Hylton, James Constable, Dannie Bulman, Andy Crosby, Rob Atkinson, Mark Sykes, Gavin Whyte, Greg Leigh, Rob Hall, Chris Maguire, Jake Wright, Sam Long, Callum O'Dowda, Conor McAleny, Ben Nelson, Michal Helik, Jonjoe Kenny, Joe Skarz, Chey Dunkley, Ruben Rodrigues, Ricardinho, Peter Leven.

I could name more. It's good to reflect on the best players once in a while!

I think the thing with Rothwell is that, although he may not have hit his prime with us, he’s gone on to have an exceptional career.

He was a key player for a Leeds United squad who were promoted with 100 points, has oozed class and has an exceptional dead ball delivery. He’s also played over 30 games in the Premier League.

Other options (and we’re choosing among the best of the best) such as Maguire arguably peaked before they signed here (at Sheffield Wednesday in the Champ) or haven’t quite hit the heights since (like Ledson who has had a steady career at Preston in comparison to Rothwell).

 

[mooro]

Sam Long has to be in the team of the era - given that he will have been at the club for pretty much every season we have played there

 

[Mintyshoe]

Sam Long has to be in the team of the era - given that he will have been at the club for pretty much every season we have played there

He deserves an honourable mention, but this is the best team…Is he better than Baldock, or any of the other 6/7 top CBs we’ve had in that time?

Long would probably deserve a place in the sentiment/impact team of the era (along with your Constable’s, Wright’s etc), and that’s no disrespect as he’s not far off the best ability-wise either.

 

[Eric Blair]

I didn’t see any Oxford player take the p**s out of the opposition like Jordan Graham until Josh Murphy welcomed Peterborough.

Oh I will remember that till the day I die. I actually felt sorry for that poor right back.

 

[Eric Blair]

Team of the Kassam era:

View attachment 27049

Just for fun - don’t get insulted if your favourite player isn’t listed! It’s football ability based, and the level/consistency the players went on to achieve. EG undoubted legends like Constable were standout players at a time when the club played at a much lower level, so there should be a heavier representation from more recent players given our upward trajectory…although the Appleton L2 team really was an outlier. Let me know if I’ve missed anyone obvious, and how you think this team would do in the current Championship when they were all at their prime…

Honourable mentions and caveats:

- Joey Beauchamp: technically played at the Kassam but in my mind was a Manor era legend.

- A few CBs: Rob Dickie, Elliott Moore…and then Curtis Nelson, Luke McNally, Rob Atkinson, Ben Nelson. There’s an argument to shift Brown to LB. Edit: Jake The Beanstalk Wright*

- Full Backs: Jonjoe Kenny, Hidde ter Avest, Greg Leigh, Sam Long. LB seems to be the standout problem area, but I thought Ricardinho was quality in a poor side. Edit: Josh Ruffels* and Chris Cadden*

- Midfielders: Ryan Ledson, Shandon Baptiste, Dean Whitehead, Will Vaulks, Ruben Rodrigues. Edit: Chris Maguire*

- Wingers: Marvin Johnson, Callum O’Dowda (neither really played LB for us), Chris Hackett, Tyler Goodhram, Placheta and Dembele. Edit: Tarique Fosu*

- Strikers: Mark Harris, Matty Taylor, Constable (as above)

- Loans with insufficient impact: Toni Martinez, Emiliano Martínez, Jordan Rhodes, Ashley Barnes, Wes Burns, Carlton Morris…clearly some of these would make the team! It’s probably telling that Baldock was the only loan player to really feel like an Oxford United legend of the Kassam era - what a player we were fortunate enough to call our own for a time.

- Swansong: Dave Kitson, Michael Duberry


At the Kassam:

BEST PLAYER FOR US: Cameron Brannagan

BEST PLAYER TO HAVE PLAYED FOR US: John Lundstram

BEST PLAYER TO WEAR THE SHIRT: Emiliano Martinez

Who'd be the manager of that era? Des? Despite Rowett's amazing achievements

 

[Whingit]

Ramon Diaz.