Oxford United have made a strong start to the new League One season, drawing at Sunderland and overcoming Peterborough United at home.
It could have been a tough start for Karl Robinson’s side but the club has begun the season promisingly, picking up four points against teams that will be pushing for promotion.
Last seasons influential players have been crucial but so have the U’s new signings.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin
Gorrin was Robinson’s first senior signing this summer after moving from Motherwell. The central midfielder looked impressive during pre-season, scoring in the friendly at home to QPR, and the 26-year-old has continued that good form into the league.
He has formed an impressive partnership with Cameron Brannagan, who scored the winner against the Posh, with Gorrin dropping deeper to cover when Brannagan pushes forward to attack.
Tariqe Fosu
Fosu has had a blistering start to life at Oxford. The 23-year-old, who rejected a new contract with Charlton following their promotion to the Championship, has reignited the form he showed at the Valley when managed by Robinson during his time in South London.
The winger scored the U’s opener at Sunderland and was awarded the man of the match award in yesterdays victory. Fosu has excited fans on the wing, and his link-up play with the other members of the team has been impressive.
Chris Cadden
It was a complicated and time-consuming transfer to acquire Cadden, but his performances since his arrival have made the wait worthwhile.
Motherwell accepted a compensation figure for the 22-year-old, but he opted to join MLS side Columbus Crew instead, before being loaned to the U’s for the season.
Playing as a right-back, the Scottish international has linked up well with James Henry, overlapping and providing some dangerous crosses into the box.
Ben Woodburn
Us supporters were excited to hear the news of the 19-year-old striker arriving from Liverpool. Woodburn is a promising youngster but hasn’t established himself at the Premier League club, so a loan move seemed good for both parties.
And so far so good. At Sunderland, the forward looked sharp and even assisted Fosu for the opener. He looks comfortable on the ball and can link up the play well.
Despite having one decent effort saved, he did squander a couple of opportunities in the game against Peterborough, but the positive from that is at least he is getting himself into those positions.
