Oxford began the month with a third straight league loss. Barnsley ran out 2-1 winners at Grenoble Road and led the game 2-0, before a late header from Elliott Moore reduced the deficit.
A fourth straight defeat followed as the U’s lost 1-0 at home against Shrewsbury. Once again, Oxford saw several early attempts blocked and saved and they conceded another second-half goal.
Oxford ended their losing streak but only managed to pick up a point against MK Dons. The U’s fell behind to another effort from outside the box but Lewis Bate netted his first Oxford goal with a terrific strike.
Despite picking up a point at MK, their winless run continued with a 3-1 loss at home to Plymouth. Cameron Brannagan levelled after a Pilgrim opener, with the table-toppers netting twice in the second half to secure all three points.
While results have been poor for the senior side, the academy teams have been producing moments of magic. Following a derby double over Swindon for the U19s and U16s, the U18s made it through to the quarter-final of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in their history with a 3-0 win over Leeds, setting up a trip to Manchester City.
There was then some contract news with Sam Long penning a new three-year deal with the club. The 28-year-old, who came through the academy, made his 200th appearance at MK Dons earlier in the month.
Slavi Spasov then made a return on loan to Banbury United, with James Golding returning to Oxford from his loan spell with the Puritans.
On the field, the club’s poor run continued with a 1-0 defeat at strugglers, Cambridge. Karl Robinson changed shape and personnel for the game but it failed to pay off.
Of the field, the U’s then lost head of recruitment, Mark Thomas, as he joined Derby County. Thomas had overseen the arrivals of several key players in his nine years at the club, including Kemar Roofe, Rob Atkinson and Luke McNally, all of which sold for seven-figure fees.
The misery continued as the U’s then lost at home against another out-of-form side with Bristol Rovers winning 3-0 at Grenoble Road.
The board then acted as the club and Robinson parted ways. The former manager had been at the club just short of five years but this dismal run had resulted in the decision.
Read More: Karl Robinson: Bitter End to Positive Managerial Role at Oxford United
Former U’s coach Des Buckingham then became a contender to take the role. He has achieved some good things as part of the City group in both Asia and New Zealand. Former U’s boss Michael Appleton was the bookie’s early favourite.
