After their 2-0 defeat at Peterborough United, Karl Robinson’s Oxford United have made a slow start to the new season with four defeats and just one win from their opening five league games.
It’s not the first time, either. Now into his third full season at the club, the U’s have started slowly in each campaign, so should there be a cause for concern?
Based on Robinson’s first full season at the club, then the answer is yes. The U’s recorded just one win from their opening 12 league games, losing eight. By the time his side drew at Southend United and recorded just their second win of the season (a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle) the U’s then went seven games unbeaten. That run lifted the club out of the bottom four for the first time all season.
In fact, the U’s lost just once from 12 league games, but three successive defeats saw them drop back into the bottom four.
From the next five games, Robinson’s side managed just one win but picked up four draws. Back-to-back defeats followed before the U’s went nine games unbeaten – which included six wins – as they ended the season comfortably in mid-table.
As far as a first full season goes, it was nervy. However, last season couldn’t have been more different. Again, though, Robinson’s side struggled to start brightly. One win from the opening seven league games had a similar feeling about the season prior. One major difference was that they didn’t spend any of that time in the bottom four despite four defeats in five games.
But the U’s then went 11 leagues games unbeaten (18 in all competitions) before a 1-0 defeat at Robinson’s former club, MK Dons. It was a run which saw memorable cup wins over West Ham United along with a record-breaking away win at Lincoln City and a rare victory at Roots Hall against Southend United.
But the Dons defeat didn’t deter their run. Just two defeats from the next eight league games kept the U’s playoff hopes alive. Although there were two more defeats, Robinson’s side ended the, albeit prematurely cut, domestic campaign with five successive victories.
So, to this season. Of course, it’s frustrating when your team is struggling to pick up points, but Robinson still has the majority of last seasons squad at his disposal.
One major issue is the loss of Rob Dickie in defence. The U’s have struggled to find a partnership as a result of injuries and poor form, but in due course, it should come good.
Another area is scoring goals. Matty Taylor netted 17 goals in all competitions last season, while new signing Sam Winnall has plenty of goals at this level. The U’s are creating chances, plenty in fact, but are struggling to convert. Again, these issues should start to peter out as the season goes on.
Finally, a lot comes down to momentum. With the cup runs and successive wins last season, the team had a strong sequence and results just followed. You can’t help but feel that if either of the Crewe Alexandra matches went ahead this season, the U’s could have picked up some points and started a run.
Robinson welcomes his former club MK Dons on Tuesday before the first A420 derby of the season against Swindon Town. If the U’s pick up six points from those two home games, then suddenly there is a completely different feel about the start of the season.
