Oxford United began the month, and the new year, with a defeat at home to Exeter. Not for the first time this season, the U’s failed to take any of their several chances and were made to pay with a late strike from the visitors.
The January transfer rumours began early and like in the summer, the U’s were linked with St Mirren midfielder, Ethan Erhahon. However, the Scottish club had already accepted an offer from Forest Green at the time.
The U’s were then linked with Everton striker Tom Cannon on loan. However, Sheffield Wednesday were the early favourites to land the 20-year-old before the youngster penned a deal at Preston.
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Another striker then became linked with the club after reports claimed the U’s were keen on Sheffield United youngster, Will Osula. The 19-year-old had netted five goals in 21 appearances while on loan at Derby County.
Midfielder Oisin Smyth then left to join National League side Solihull Moors on loan until the end of the season. The 22-year-old has managed just two appearances since his arrival last January.
Tayo Edun was the next player to be linked with a move as Blackburn Rovers looked to offload the left-back on loan. However, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, MK Dons and Lincoln had also shown interest in the 24-year-old.
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Sticking with left-backs, the U’s then signed one when Hull City defender Brandon Fleming arrived on loan until the end of the season. The 23-year-old had featured for the Tigers in the Championship and became Oxford’s second January arrival.
Young duo James Golding and Will Owens then left the club on one-month loan deals. Golding returned to Andy Whing’s Banbury United following a successful loan spell last season while Owens has been recalled from his loan at North Leigh and joined Bedford Town.
With the arrival of Fleming, that led to the opening for a departure from the club for Steve Seddon. League One rivals Cambridge agreed a loan move for the 25-year-old.
Oxford’s FA Cup run came to an end in the third round with defeat at home against Arsenal. Despite the game being level at the break, the Premier League leaders showed their quality in the second half and ran out 3-0 winners.
Oxford United’s U18s made it through to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-1 win over Cardiff City. However, it was a poor start for the young U’s as they fell behind inside just three minutes and trailed at the break. Oxford levelled after the restart before a Gatlin O’Donkor brace sent the U’s to the fifth round for the first time in the club’s history.
Defender Ciaron Brown then came under scrutiny after picking up a booking against Arsenal, with the FA investigating spot-fixing allegations. A statement from the club read: “Oxford United can confirm that they have been made aware of a specific allegation of irregular betting around our Emirates FA Cup game against Arsenal on Monday evening. The club will cooperate fully with any investigation and while this is ongoing, we are unable to make any further comment.”
The U’s then picked up their third signing of the window with the addition of 18-year-old defender, Teddy Mfuni. The centre-back joined the club on an 18-month deal from Warrington Town.
Midfielder James Henry was the next to be linked with a move to League Two basement boys, Gillingham. The 33-year-old, who penned a new deal at the start of the season, had turned out 24 times for the club this season when the news broke.
With Henry linked with a move away, reports then claimed the U’s were looking at Chelsea midfielder, Xavier Simons. The 19-year-old was on loan at Hull but managed just two appearances.
Back to matters on the pitch and Oxford came from behind to win at Fleetwood. The U’s could have been three or four goals down by the break if it wasn’t for Simon Eastwood in goal but he was unable to do anything about the opener. However, second-half goals from Kyle Joseph and Ciaron Brown sealed the win.
It was another Chelsea youngster next to be linked with striker Mason Burstow on Oxford’s radar. The former Charlton forward has been performing well in the Premier League 2.
Oxford defender John Mousinho was then linked with a move to Portsmouth – but as their new head coach. The 36-year-old has been part of Karl Robinson’s backroom staff and had previously said he would like to go into management. The appointment was confirmed the following day.
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It wouldn’t have been an Oxford United transfer window without news of a player from Northern Ireland. The U’s, along with Celtic, Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace were showing interest in 17-year-old Cliftonville winger, Sean Moore.
Back to matters on the pitch and Oxford recorded back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season. A 2-1 victory over Ipswich, with goals from Yanic Wildschut and Cameron Brannagan, moved the U’s up to tenth.
Read More: Oxford Dealt Blow in Chase for Midfielder
Reports then claimed that summer signing Stuart Findlay was a target for Hibernian. The 27-year-old appears to have fallen out of favour, missing several of the club’s recent games.
Then came the news we’ve all been waiting for. Oxford’s search for a new stadium took a massive step forward following a council meeting as Oxfordshire County Council’s followed up its recommendation to allow officers to begin talks on ‘outline legal and commercial terms’, with regards to ‘The Triangle.’ The legal agreement between the club and the council must meet certain objectives, which include maintaining a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington, enhancing facilities for local sports groups, and improving public transport in the area.
Back to matters on the pitch, Oxford’s inability to put a run of results together continued with a 2-0 defeat at Wycombe. The U’s were two goals down by the break and were unable to get back into the game.
Summer signing Jodi Jones was the next to leave with the 25-year-old joining National League side Notts County on loan until the end of the season. The winger managed just 17 minutes of league football in five appearances.
The U’s then suffered another 2-0 defeat as the U’s lost at Burton. Oxford squandered several early chances but goals in each half for the League One strugglers sealed the win for the Brewers.
The U’s then made their fourth addition of the transfer window with the arrival of Nottingham Forest striker, Ateef Konate. The 21-year-old scored eight goals in his last eight games for Forest’s U21 side and was voted as Premier League 2 Player of the Month for October.
Reports then claimed Oxford were looking at Hull striker, Tyler Smith. The 24-year-old has scored three goals from 14 Championship appearances this season.
Defensive midfielder Harvey White was next to be linked. The Tottenham youngster has turned out three times for the Premier League club but has impressed for the U21s.
On deadline day, midfielder Oisin Smyth returned to the club following a short loan spell at Solihull Moors. He managed just three appearances for the National League side.
The U’s then got the striker they needed with Hull City’s Tyler Smith arriving on deadline day. The 24-year-old scored three times from 14 Championship appearances for the Tigers.
As one striker arrived, there was also a surprise departure as Matty Taylor joined Port Vale on loan. The 32-year-old may have only netted three league goals this season, but the move seems a strange one.
