Vital Oxford’s Best XI of the Season

Despite not securing a playoff spot, it was still a relatively successful season for Oxford United.

In what proved to be a very difficult division, the U’s surpassed last season’s points tally but still found themselves seven points off a top-six finish following their draw against Doncaster on the final day.

Here is our Team of the Season:

Read: Oxford United Season Review

Back Four

Jack Stevens

After taking the number one spot from Simon Eastwood last season, it looked like this could be a breakthrough year for Jack Stevens.

The young goalkeeper, who was linked with a move to Aston Villa at the start of the campaign, played the first 13 league games before being struck down with glandular fever, which ruled him out for a significant period.

During the opening run, the 24-year-old kept three clean sheets – one more than Eastwood managed in 21 appearances. Despite that, Stevens looked fragile for parts of the season and will certainly be looking for improvements next year.

He managed just six shutouts from 30 league appearances, where he conceded 42 goals. Clean sheets and fewer goals conceded will certainly be something the club will need to address next season.

Jordan Thorniley

Despite being recalled by Blackpool in January, defender Jordan Thorniley was certainly a standout player for the U’s.

The 25-year-old turned out 25 times before returning to Bloomfield Road. As we’ve already noted, clean sheets were a struggle for the U’s this season but with Thorniley in defence, the backline looked more assured than it did following his departure.

Elliott Moore

Alongside Thorniley in our line-up is captain, Elliott Moore. The 25-year-old has seen several centre backs come and go since his arrival in 2019 but he remains a key figure for Karl Robinson.

Despite missing a few games through injury, Moore turned out 35 times and scored his only goal of the campaign in a 2-1 defeat against Sunderland.

His presence in the back four was key over the course of the campaign, particularly when Thorniley was recalled and the inexperienced Luke McNally stepped in.

Luke McNally

This really was a breakthrough season for Luke McNally. Signed in January 2020, the defender had to wait until the first round of the Carabao Cup to make his club debut.

From there, he featured occasionally when Moore and Thorniley were rested or injured and his exposure to the first team was beneficial.

Despite picking up two red cards during Football League Trophy matches, the 22-year-old grew into his role following the recall of Thorniley in January. From there, McNally missed just one game for personal reasons and became a key member of Robinson’s squad.

His marauding runs and towering headers were just two attributes the youngster was signed for and he showcased them brilliantly. He also ended the campaign as the highest-scoring defender with four goals.

Midfield Four

Steve Seddon

Filling the boots of Josh Ruffels was always going to be a difficult task but from the outset, it looked as though Oxford may have found their man.

Seddon joined the U’s from Birmingham, having established himself in League One along with a handful of second-tier appearances. He even scored on his debut (1-1 draw at Cambridge).

The left-back looked settled in a regular defence but when Thorniley was recalled from his loan spell in January, his performances started to suffer.

By mid-March, Seddon was dropped from the line-up, down to a mixture of below-par performances along with a change of formation. He returned for the final game of the season against Doncaster, which suggests he may still be part of Karl Robinson’s plans for next season.

His defensive abilities appear to lack in contrast to his offensive displays but if Robinson sticks with a back three next season, Seddon would suit a left-wing-back role.

Ryan Williams

Robinson’s first summer signing, Ryan Williams arrived as an experienced League One winger. By the end of the season, he had become Oxford’s most effective right-wing-back.

Sam Long played right back in a back four and appearances were limited for Anthony Forde but when the U’s switched to a back three, Williams was the main choice wing-back.

And it wasn’t just on the right, either. The Australian also played on the left side of defence as well as both attacking flanks throughout the season.

Williams scored twice in 33 games but he also laid on five assists. Of course, he would have liked to have featured more with many outings coming from the bench but his impact when involved was flawless.

Herbie Kane

Although performances may have tailed off towards the end of the season, Barnsley loanee Herbie Kane will have been pleased with his Oxford tenure.

Despite not scoring, the 23-year-old racked up six assists and could often be found dictating the tempo of the match.

Part of his decline in displays could have come down to Robinson dropping him into the defensive midfield role following the injury to Alex Rodriguez Gorrin. While he still looked comfortable on the ball, his defensive awareness was lacking compared to the Spaniards.

However, many fans were delighted when the club paid a fee in January to remove his recall clause, highlighting just how important he was to the team.

Cameron Brannagan

Of course, this team would not be complete unless Cameron Brannagan featured in the heart of midfield.

The former Liverpool man scooped both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year and put in another outstanding campaign on the pitch.

Brannagan recorded a career-high 14 goals, which included four penalties in a 7-2 win at Gillingham, while seven of his strikes were the difference between one and three points.

With one year remaining on his contract and plenty of clubs sniffing around, it could well have been his last campaign in yellow.

Front Three

Gavin Whyte

We all know Karl Robinson loves a winger and this season he was spoilt for choice. James Henry missed much of the season through injury, Williams was often deployed in defence and Nathan Holland often struggled to hit the heights.

But, like Holland, it was another returning player that stood out for the U’s this season in Gavin Whyte. The Northern Ireland international may have only scored one goal in 39 outings but he laid on ten assists.

If his finishing was better, there was a good chance that Oxford could have secured a top-six finish. Despite that, the 26-year-old will be pleased with his contribution and he makes our side.

Mark Sykes

Another Irishman takes the other wing spot with Mark Sykes having his best season to date. The former Northern Ireland U21 international has often struggled to cement a place in Robinson’s line-up, largely down to struggling to make a position his own as he is capable of covering in several roles, but this season he grabbed the opportunity.

Sykes still played in a number of positions but it was still his strongest campaign, with the 24-year-old scoring eight times and providing eight assists from 45 appearances in all competitions.

However, his output could have been more. While his performances were still relatively consistent, his goal contributions dropped drastically from January once he was linked with moves away.

Out of contract in the summer, it seems highly likely he will depart. Of course, after a productive season, it will be a shame to see him leave but he ends the campaign in our line-up.

Matty Taylor

There was no doubting who would lead the line in our best XI. Matty Taylor had his strongest season for the club in front of goal with the striker finding the net 22 times in all competitions.

With Oxford ending the season as the highest-scoring side in League One, Taylor was prolific in reaching that feat. Not only did he net over 20 goals for the first time since he returned to the club but he also added seven assists.

In the FA Cup ties against Bristol Rovers, he scored twice and provided two assists while seven of his league goals were crucial in picking up points.

There was more pressure on him to provide this season with the 32-year-old being, for the most part, the only fit striker available.