Oxford United suffered their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss at Bolton. Matty Taylor gave the U’s an early lead but the Trotters levelled in first-half stoppage time before scoring the winner midway through the second half.
Despite being on top for large parts of the game, Karl Robinson’s side were unable to get themselves back into the contest. Here are three talking points from the game.
Formation
With several players sidelined through injury, Robinson not only rotated his squad but also changed formation to a 4-4-2 with a diamond in midfield.
Alex Rodriguez Gorrin continued in the holding role with Cameron Brannagan and Mark Sykes in the middle and Gavin Whyte at the focal point. Taylor was partnered up top by Sam Winnall with the pair playing together in a rare outing.
While the formation largely worked, Oxford lacked width for much of the game. Steve Seddon and Anthony Forde got forward from full back as often as normal but the midfield width was required and they struggled to make an impact in the attacking areas when it mattered.
Missed Chances
Like on the opening day at Cambridge, the U’s had plenty of opportunities to add to the lead but squandered their best chances.
Sykes was guilty on one occasion as he burst into the box before taking a touch too many, Seddon unleashed a fierce volley from a corner that struck the side netting and Whyte should have equalised late on when a ball was played back to him, but he skied his effort from eight yards out.
It was also another game in which the U’s scored first, but they have managed only one win in 90 minutes from their opening four matches.
Jack Stevens
Since dislodging Simon Eastwood from the number one spot in November, Jack Stevens has become undroppable. The 24-year-old has been in fine form and his displays helped the U’s secure a playoff spot last season.
However, there were times during the game at Bolton that Stevens looked uncomfortable. While he likes to come out and narrow angles, the goalkeeper was at fault on a couple of occasions and didn’t look his usual convincing self. That said, he was unable to do anything about Bolton’s equaliser, which whizzed past him from range.
There was also an incident of miscommunication between the goalkeeper and Jordan Thorniley with the defender eventually making an error and giving away a free-kick as a result of a back pass. Fortunately, nothing came of it.
