Oxford United failed to secure promotion to the Championship at the final hurdle after suffering defeat against Wycombe Wanderers in the League One playoff final.
Despite that, it has been a sensational season for Karl Robinson and his side. Even though they had a budget in the bottom half of the table, the U’s finished the season in fourth, reached the FA Cup fourth round and the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, coming up against Premier League opposition along the way. But, where did it go wrong for them last night?
For starters, the contrasting styles of football clearly had an effect. For Gareth Ainsworth and his Wycombe side, they enjoy being the underdogs and manage to soak up pressure extremely well.
Oxford, with all of their passing ability, were unable to find a way through as Wycombe stuck everyone behind the ball. It became even harder after the Chairboys took the lead just nine minutes in.
The longer the game went on, the more the opposition frustrated the U’s style of play. It has worked for Wycombe all season, so why would they change it in their biggest game of the season?
Another key factor was mistakes. Robinson addressed the issues after the game. Wycombe scored with what was their only two real opportunities. The first came from a corner – as have a number of their goals this season – and it’s something the U’s should have dealt with.
Joe Jacobson’s teasing delivery was menacing. Simon Eastwood was caught undecided. He started to come out to gather, but the ball sailed over him towards Anthony Stewart at the back post. The defender had out-jumped Josh Ruffels and headed the ball in off an out of position Eastwood.
The other goal came from was a series of errors. Firstly, it came against the run of play. The U’s were on top in the game having scored 15 minutes earlier. But, when Marcus Browne appealed that the ball had crossed the line for an Oxford throw deep in the Wycombe half, he stopped, which allowed the Chairboys to continue. Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop pumped the ball long, but it looked harmless. But the second mistake came when a miscommunication between defender Elliott Moore and Eastwood allowed Fred Onyedinma in on goal. The winger was clattered by an on-rushing Eastwood who was out of control.
As a result, Wycombe were awarded a penalty. Joe Jacobson successfully converted and the U’s were unable to find a way back into the game.
For Oxford, this is certainly one that got away. Robinson has some quality players among his ranks but failure to land promotion could result in at least three of them leaving. There are also four loan players that may have come back next season if the U’s were to have won the match.
Another issue for Robinson is the competitiveness of League One next season. Bitter rivals Swindon Town have come up from League Two, along with Plymouth Argyle and Crewe Alexandra. But teams like Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Peterborough United, among others, will be desperate to get out of the division after their respective upsets this season. Then, of course, there will be three decent sides all coming down from the Championship.
