Following his former teammate Greg Leigh, Kyle Edwards was the final arrival of the transfer window after joining on deadline day. The winger arrived on a season-long loan from Ipswich, but the Tractor Boys can recall the 25-year-old in January. Landing Edwards is key after Marcus Browne picked up an injury in the win over Barnsley.
Oxford’s winning run then came to an end with defeat against Port Vale. The Valiants took the lead shortly after Mark Harris was sent off but Leigh netted an equaliser in stoppage time. However, he was then dismissed for a second yellow before the visitors picked up all three points with a 99th minute penalty.
Off the field, Liam Manning was nominated for manager of the month for August. The U’s head coach led his side to fours win despite an opening day defeat against Cambridge.
Shortly after the nominations, Manning deservedly picked up the award, in doing so becoming the first Oxford manager since Ramon Diaz in January 2005 to win.
The good news kept coming as highly-rated defender Stephan Negru penned a new long-term deal with the club. The 21-year-old was out of contract in the summer and had reportedly been monitored by Brighton.
On the pitch, Oxford returned to winning ways in League One with a 3-0 win on the road at Fleetwood. Wonder strikes from Stanley Mills and Kyle Edwards either side of a Billy Bodin half-volley secured the win on the Fylde coast.
The U’s then recorded a second successive 3-0 win as Manning’s side edged past Exeter at Grenoble Road. Ruben Rodrigues netted his first Oxford goal before a late Cameron Brannagan penalty brace sealed the victory.
In-form midfielder Marcus McGuane is out of contract in the summer but reports suggested that the 24-year-old has a one year option on his current deal.
James Golding was then recalled from his loan spell with National League South side, Dartford, before being sent back out on loan to join National League club, Maidenhead United.
Captain Elliott Moore was then the next senior player to sign a new deal. The 26-year-old defended penned a “long-term” deal with the club.
Oxford ended the month in style with a 3-1 win in the road against Stevenage. The U’s fell behind early on but a brace from Greg Leigh and late effort from Elliott Moore sealed the win for the U’s.
