With the new season kicking off in just over two weeks, Oxford United’s summer transfer activity has been slightly underwhelming.
Having lost influential defender Curtis Nelson to Cardiff City, Marcus Browne, Samir Carruthers, Jordan Graham, and Ahmed Kashi have all returned to their parent clubs following loan spells. Jerome Sinclair and Luke Garbutt have signed elsewhere, so the U’s have some rebuilding to do.
So far, Karl Robinson has brought in Alex Gorrin and Tariqe Fosu from Motherwell and Charlton Athletic respectively, but the squad is lacking depth.
And despite the arrival of youngsters Kevin Berkoe, Sam Allardyce and Yoav Sade to boost the under 23 squad, the senior squad looks slightly depleted.
Charlie Raglan
Michael Appleton initially brought Raglan to the Kassam on loan from Chesterfield. The defender made 16 appearances for the newly promoted League One side and was a crucial backup player to Nelson, Aaron Martin and Chey Dunkley, and he could also cover at right-back.
Following his release from Chesterfield, Raglan joined the U’s on a permanent basis, but after rupturing two ligaments before the start of the season, it hampered his opportunity.
Appleton had left and was replaced by Pep Clotet, but following the defenders return to fitness, the Spaniard loaned him out to Port Vale where he made ten appearances.
Returning to the Kassam, Raglan made just one appearance with the club under new management in the shape of Karl Robinson, before being shipped out on loan again, where he made 16 appearances for Cheltenham Town.
Following his release at the end of the season, Raglan joined the Robins on a permanent basis. Having played under three different managers during his time at Oxford, it’s obvious he was out of favour. He was also unfortunate given the amount of defenders at the club during those times, but now the squad lacks depth, I feel Raglan would have come good for Robinson.
NEWS: Cheltenham Town can confirm the permanent signing of defender Charlie Raglan on a two-year contract.
Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/nm5iHEmijM
🔴 We are Town
⚪️ We're #MadeofCheltenham— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) May 14, 2019
Armani Little
The 22-year-old central midfielder spent just one season at Oxford after signing from Southampton’s youth academy, and made three FA Cup appearances during a loan spell with Woking, including a second round win over Swindon Town.
He made 27 appearances for the Cardinals and scored five goals, including the winner in the play-off final as Woking returned back to the National League.
But he only featured twice for the U’s, playing 90 minutes in the Checkatrade Trophy group win over Tottenham under 23’s, before coming on as a second half substitute as Karl Robinson’s side lost 1-0 against Southend United.
Following his release, the midfielder has signed for Torquay United, and after seeing us sensational free kick in a pre-season friendly, a few U’s fans are questioning his release.
What a strike 😍
Armani Little scored one of the best free-kicks you’ll see for Torquay United last night ☄️ pic.twitter.com/73bjrILdYG
— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) July 17, 2019
Harvey Bradbury
There was disappointment after the announcement was made that Harvey, son of former U’s striker Lee, was to be released.
The striker began his career with at Portsmouth academy, before joining the youth set-up at Watford.
During his time with the Premier League side, he scored twice from nine appearances during a loan spell at St Albans City, and scored one from one on loan at Hungerford Town.
The U’s signed the young striker, but like Little, he spent the majority of his Oxford career away on loan, making just two appearances for the U’s.
His loans included another spell at Hungerford, where he scored one in seven games, before scoring three in 17 at Woking, winning promotion to the National League.
Following his release from Oxford, Bradbury is currently without a club, and given the lack of strikers currently at the Kassam, he could have been a decent acquisition to have as a backup option.
