We caught up with Liam Rice from The Oxford Mail to get the latest on Oxford United ahead of their crucial Wembley showdown this weekend.
What’s the mood like in the Oxford camp?
We visited the training ground on Monday and spoke with Ciaron Brown and Sam Long. The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed. The players had a few days off after their second-leg victory over Peterborough. Although they are treating it like any other game, they understand the significance of the occasion.
How did the 5-0 defeat at Bolton in March affect the squad?
Before the 5-0 loss, Oxford seemed poised to challenge for a top-six spot. That defeat raised doubts about their ability to compete against stronger teams. However, it turned out to be a pivotal moment for the team. The manager used it as an opportunity to move away from Liam Manning’s system and implement his own style and principles. This change transformed the team, leading to impressive results, including two 4-0 wins and a 5-0 victory against Peterborough. The Bolton game was a significant turning point, allowing the manager to reshape the team in his image.
How impressed were you with the display against Peterborough in the semi-final?
It probably wasn’t an ‘Oxford’ performance. The first leg was always going to be a bit cagey, a lot of these games are (we saw that in the Championship last weekend). United went in front through a well worked set piece and then maybe dropped into ‘defensive mode’ a little earlier than Des Buckingham would have liked. But in effect, Peterborough didn’t really carve out a big chance and they got through it.
The second leg was a different game because they took the lead. Cameron Brannagan got the penalty and then it was a 45-minute onslaught, but it was something we haven’t really seen from Oxford this season. It was backs-against-the-wall, gutsy and gritty. They had to do the other side of the game and maybe a bit of gamesmanship, which we have not seen too much of.
It was almost the perfect defensive display and the only couple of occasions where the ball got through, Jamie Cumming made some terrific saves. They didn’t necessarily play ‘the Des Buckingham way’ in the second half but when you get to this point, you have got to find a way to win.
How do you think they will approach the final?
That is the million-dollar question! They will have to show signs of what they did against Peterborough. There will be times when Bolton are on top and in the ascendancy, I think anyone would predict that. But they have shown they can defend their box well and that is a promising sign for them. Realistically, they will want to play their own stuff and I think they will try to make use of the Wembley pitch.
Ultimately, Oxford’s way is getting the ball out wide to Owen Dale and specifically Josh Murphy, and letting the two wingers run havoc really. Then with the supporting cast – Mark Harris through the middle and two Number 10s in midfield really – that is how the system works out. I think the Wembley pitch will be massive for both teams. For Bolton, the wing-backs are key with how high and wide they are. I see the game being won out wide, to be honest.
How important is Cameron Brannagan?
He is brilliant. It is a new role for him at the moment because he is used to playing with a midfield partner. For the past 18 months or so, that has been Marcus McGuane but the system that Des Buckingham wants to play means you have one number six, and that is Brannagan. He sits in front of the back four like a ‘quarterback’ and sends out those long diagonals, the ‘Hollywood’ passes. He can also play short and play to feet.
He is a bit more disciplined because he has to protect the back four a little bit, but I think the key thing is the full-backs are a little bit more conservative. It does allow Brannagan the opportunity to get forward as and when, and his penalty record is insane. It is also the corners, the free kicks, the leadership, passing range and his shooting from outside the box. He is Mr Oxford United!
GET MORE NEWS HERE