Overview
Oxford travel to Leicester for a third away game in a row, in an encounter between two recently relegated sides, both hoping to compete at the right end of the League One table.
For the U's, it's a chance to bounce back from a first league defeat under Aaron Ramsey, with a 3-1 loss at Huddersfield on Tuesday night leaving us with four points from three games. This will undoubtedly be another tough test against a side packed with quality at this level, who are the bookies' favourites to win the League One title this season. It is another chance for us to show how competitive we can be this season, amidst a lot of unknowns on the pitch.
For Leicester, it has been a slow start to life under manager Russell Martin, but they did pick up their first win of the season in midweek, beating Plymouth 2-0. With lots of off-field issues at Leicester, there is and has been an awful lot of toxicity amongst the fans which has spilled into frustration with their team and new manager. I highly doubt one win will have eradicated this, meaning similarly to when we played them last season, an early goal for us could reignite this frustration.
The Foxes have one of the strongest squads on paper in this league, but they don't come without their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, meaning there is certainly a possibility of a result for Oxford in this game.
Predicted line-up
Using the 'team selector' feature in the away match thread on the forum, I have selected this line-up.
With Tuesday seemingly coming too soon for Jamie Cumming, the extra few days rest will hopefully be enough to see our number 1 return to the starting eleven. Whilst Eastwood has certainly impressed, there is clear disparity between the two when both fit, at least in Aaron Ramsey's mind.
At right back, Kioso comes back in after Spencer's rocky game in midweek and on the merit of PK's performance the week before at Stevenage.
Jack Currie obviously keeps his place at left back: with the recent departures, I believe he is now our best player and certainly biggest asset.
In the centre of defence, it is imperative that Helik comes back into the side. He is one of the best defenders in this division and keeping him on the bench makes no logical sense. Sam Long's performance on Tuesday makes this change easier to make.
I've gone for a flat midfield three of Brannagan, McDonnell and Andrews. McDonnell has to start in a game where we will concede the majority of possession and we look much more defensively solid with him on the pitch. Kai Andrews therefore comes in, in place of Goodrham, due to the latter's inability to affect games in the opening weeks and the fact that playing a 'number 10' in this kind of game doesn't make much sense tactically.
Luka Lynch comes straight in on the right wing, due to the fact we don't have a natural option on that side. Mo Missanga unlucky not to keep his place, but as was mentioned on Wasn't at the Game, it is really important not to overplay youngsters when they are first coming through, and two high intensity games in four days may be a bit too much to ask, particularly to start both.
Given we haven't heard about the severity of Aidomo Emakhu's 'knock', it's hard to know whether he will be fit or not, but I've gone on the assumption that he isn't, as if he is I would start him over Dembele.
Perhaps most interstingly, I've stuck with Mark Harris up top over the in-form Gatlin O'Donkor. This is due to Harris' pressing ability and work rate off the ball in a game where the opposition are going to dominate possession, especially in their own defensive third, requiring a presser of Harris' ability. There is also an argument that O'Donkor is more effective off the bench, although this can only properly be argued when we have seen him from the start, because it's hard to argue agaist his record at the start of this season.
The opposition
Whilst Leicester have a very thin squad, there is clear fire-power throughout their side, particularly in the attacking areas.
I've picked out the two wingers as two of their key players, with Wes Burns being a well known player at this level, but one that I was very surprised to see Leicester pull off in this league. Similarly on the left wing, Tommy Watson was widely expected to get another Championship loan this season, making the acquisition of him in League One a very shrewd one.
The other key player is young midfielder Louis Page, who had interest from Manchester United this summer and is a player who will aim to get on the ball and control the game at just 18 years of age.
Under Russell Martin, I expect Leicester to have a large share of the possession, mainly in unthreatening areas but will look to slowly move us out of shape and quickly penetrate us if so, using their skilful, direct wingers.
Amongst all that, they are certainly there for the taking at the back and will concede chances if we can take them, as we did here in January.
Rounding off
With the transfer window slamming shut this week, I think we can be reasonably pleased with the implementation of Dusan Bogdanovic and Ed Waldron's 'focus on retention'.
Although two high profile players have left the club in Stan Mills and Brian de Keersmaecker, these are clearly decisions made that benefit the club and the squad of players who want to play and fight for this club, and decisions that have been made following consultation with manager and players, making it unfair to blame either of those two higher-ups for the departures.
It is good to see the back of two players who have seemingly behaved incredibly disrespectfully to the club who in both cases gave these two their first opportunity at professional level in this country. Hopefully as fans and as a group of players we can all move forward and focus on getting behind the lads who are fully focused on fighting for the badge week in, week out!
Apologies for the lack of content for the mid-week game, and going forward mid-week games will prove tricky to get posts out for but I will try where possible.
Many thanks for reading, and as always, let me know your thoughts!
Oxford travel to Leicester for a third away game in a row, in an encounter between two recently relegated sides, both hoping to compete at the right end of the League One table.
For the U's, it's a chance to bounce back from a first league defeat under Aaron Ramsey, with a 3-1 loss at Huddersfield on Tuesday night leaving us with four points from three games. This will undoubtedly be another tough test against a side packed with quality at this level, who are the bookies' favourites to win the League One title this season. It is another chance for us to show how competitive we can be this season, amidst a lot of unknowns on the pitch.
For Leicester, it has been a slow start to life under manager Russell Martin, but they did pick up their first win of the season in midweek, beating Plymouth 2-0. With lots of off-field issues at Leicester, there is and has been an awful lot of toxicity amongst the fans which has spilled into frustration with their team and new manager. I highly doubt one win will have eradicated this, meaning similarly to when we played them last season, an early goal for us could reignite this frustration.
The Foxes have one of the strongest squads on paper in this league, but they don't come without their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, meaning there is certainly a possibility of a result for Oxford in this game.
Predicted line-up
Using the 'team selector' feature in the away match thread on the forum, I have selected this line-up.
With Tuesday seemingly coming too soon for Jamie Cumming, the extra few days rest will hopefully be enough to see our number 1 return to the starting eleven. Whilst Eastwood has certainly impressed, there is clear disparity between the two when both fit, at least in Aaron Ramsey's mind.
At right back, Kioso comes back in after Spencer's rocky game in midweek and on the merit of PK's performance the week before at Stevenage.
Jack Currie obviously keeps his place at left back: with the recent departures, I believe he is now our best player and certainly biggest asset.
In the centre of defence, it is imperative that Helik comes back into the side. He is one of the best defenders in this division and keeping him on the bench makes no logical sense. Sam Long's performance on Tuesday makes this change easier to make.
I've gone for a flat midfield three of Brannagan, McDonnell and Andrews. McDonnell has to start in a game where we will concede the majority of possession and we look much more defensively solid with him on the pitch. Kai Andrews therefore comes in, in place of Goodrham, due to the latter's inability to affect games in the opening weeks and the fact that playing a 'number 10' in this kind of game doesn't make much sense tactically.
Luka Lynch comes straight in on the right wing, due to the fact we don't have a natural option on that side. Mo Missanga unlucky not to keep his place, but as was mentioned on Wasn't at the Game, it is really important not to overplay youngsters when they are first coming through, and two high intensity games in four days may be a bit too much to ask, particularly to start both.
Given we haven't heard about the severity of Aidomo Emakhu's 'knock', it's hard to know whether he will be fit or not, but I've gone on the assumption that he isn't, as if he is I would start him over Dembele.
Perhaps most interstingly, I've stuck with Mark Harris up top over the in-form Gatlin O'Donkor. This is due to Harris' pressing ability and work rate off the ball in a game where the opposition are going to dominate possession, especially in their own defensive third, requiring a presser of Harris' ability. There is also an argument that O'Donkor is more effective off the bench, although this can only properly be argued when we have seen him from the start, because it's hard to argue agaist his record at the start of this season.
The opposition
Whilst Leicester have a very thin squad, there is clear fire-power throughout their side, particularly in the attacking areas.
I've picked out the two wingers as two of their key players, with Wes Burns being a well known player at this level, but one that I was very surprised to see Leicester pull off in this league. Similarly on the left wing, Tommy Watson was widely expected to get another Championship loan this season, making the acquisition of him in League One a very shrewd one.
The other key player is young midfielder Louis Page, who had interest from Manchester United this summer and is a player who will aim to get on the ball and control the game at just 18 years of age.
Under Russell Martin, I expect Leicester to have a large share of the possession, mainly in unthreatening areas but will look to slowly move us out of shape and quickly penetrate us if so, using their skilful, direct wingers.
Amongst all that, they are certainly there for the taking at the back and will concede chances if we can take them, as we did here in January.
Rounding off
With the transfer window slamming shut this week, I think we can be reasonably pleased with the implementation of Dusan Bogdanovic and Ed Waldron's 'focus on retention'.
Although two high profile players have left the club in Stan Mills and Brian de Keersmaecker, these are clearly decisions made that benefit the club and the squad of players who want to play and fight for this club, and decisions that have been made following consultation with manager and players, making it unfair to blame either of those two higher-ups for the departures.
It is good to see the back of two players who have seemingly behaved incredibly disrespectfully to the club who in both cases gave these two their first opportunity at professional level in this country. Hopefully as fans and as a group of players we can all move forward and focus on getting behind the lads who are fully focused on fighting for the badge week in, week out!
Apologies for the lack of content for the mid-week game, and going forward mid-week games will prove tricky to get posts out for but I will try where possible.
Many thanks for reading, and as always, let me know your thoughts!
