Oxford United have conceded just one goal from their last three league games. Last month, the notion of keeping two clean sheets during three successive draws would have been inconceivable but the defence has grown in confidence in recent weeks.
However, with the defensive stability, has manager Karl Robinson sacrificed his sides attacking threat to keep goals out? The U’s have scored just 16 goals from as many league games, and the U’s scored a quarter of those during their first win of the season at Accrington back in September.
Clearly, the defence had been a major issue. The backline started the season off inconsistently with injuries to Josh Ruffels and Rob Atkinson, while Sean Clare struggled to make the right-back position his own. Due to the injuries and poor form, one of the U’s best players this season in Sam Long has covered in each defensive position. Yes, this shows his adaptability, but it also highlights the lack of defensive reinforcements at the club. The change of goalkeeper and taking Clare out of the full-back role have also been key moves from Robinson.
The defenders weren’t necessarily playing poorly, but sides were getting the rub of the green in most of the early games. Before their win at Wigan last month, the U’s lost six of their seven defeats by a 2-0 scoreline, with the other result a 3-1 loss at Gillingham. Now, Robinson has managed to nullify conceded two goals per game but the attacking side of the game has been compromised.
During those defeats, the U’s created plenty of goalscoring opportunities but struggled to put them to bed – besides in the wins against Accrington, MK Dons and Rochdale where they scored ten goals. But in recent weeks, despite holding top sides to draws, the lack of creativity in the final third is starting to show.
Matty Taylor, for large spells of games, is an isolated figure up front and is lacking a supply from midfield. Jordan Obita, although a good signing, has been forced to focus on the defensive side of his game to help Ruffels out while Henry on the right-hand side has been a shadow of his former self in past seasons.
Clearly, the U’s are missing that creative midfielder in the centre of the park. Cameron Brannagan has been a big loss for the U’s and although Marcus McGuane has shown glimpses of quality, his lack of experience at this level is shown. Liam Kelly, who had a strong end to last season while on loan from Feyenoord, has also struggled to create many chances and has blown hot and cold all season.
The likes of Anthony Forde and Mark Sykes can create, but both seem out of favour under Robinson at the moment. Mide Shodipo has scored three goals but has also failed to provide consistency throughout the entire match.
Maybe things will change when Sam Winnall, who has had several injury setbacks, returns to full fitness. Against Blackpool, Oxford ended the game with a slight change of formation as Rob Hall sat behind Taylor, and it was no coincidence that the U’s created a couple of late chances with someone supporting the lone striker.
The U’s welcome fellow strugglers Northampton on Tuesday night – a side they have failed to beat in their last eight meetings. But, if Robinson sticks someone behind Taylor, it looks likely that the forward, and team as a whole, will create more goalscoring opportunities.
