Yesterday afternoon, Matty Taylor netted his 14th goal of the season as the U’s recorded an impressive 1-0 win at promotion rivals Ipswich Town.
The 29-year-old, who is on loan from Bristol City, has now scored four goals in his last four league games following a previous ten league game spell without finding the net.
Taylor scored a brace as the U’s thumped AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, and netted in the clubs 2-2 draw at Burton the week previous.
Although he spent a few weeks on the sidelines, it looks as though his purple patch is continuing and with the added bonus of having James Henry providing the assists, the striker looks deadly.
Oxford have two important home games this week as they welcome Accrington Stanley and Southend United to Grenoble Road, with a maximum number of points a realistic target, and Taylor could prove to be pivotal as the U’s look to move back into the playoffs.
Taylors goals have been crucial this season. It took four League games to get off the mark following his return to his boyhood club when he added a sixth as the U’s secured a record-breaking away win in the Football League at Lincoln, before netting during a 3-0 home win against Gillingham the following week.
Taylor missed the 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers but scored what proved to be the winner as the U’s picked up three points at Rotherham.
He then scored a last-minute equaliser at Portsmouth in his next league game before scoring twice as the U’s won 4-0 at Southend in November.
The 29-year-old started seven of the next eleven league games but was unable to find the net before his equaliser at Burton Albion earlier this month.
Despite a league goal drought, Taylor scored as the U’s beat Hartlepool United in an FA Cup second round tie while scoring a leveller as Oxford lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Many of his goals have come at crucial points in the game, with winners and late equalisers a key attribute. Another key part of his game is his positioning. The striker gets himself into the right position countless times and could have easily have scored more than he has. The deliveries help, but the fact his teammates know where he will position himself is crucial.
