As far as seasons go, this has been another rollercoaster campaign for Oxford United.
Having narrowly avoided the drop last season under Liam Manning, he guided the U’s to ten wins from their opening 15 league games.
However, he departed the club second in the division to join Bristol City.
Craig Short became interim manager for two games before Oxford-born, Oxford-fan, Des Buckingham returned to his hometown club.
It was a difficult start to life back at Grenoble Road with consistency hard to find but following a 5-0 defeat at Bolton, he found a new formula and led his side to the playoffs, where they would beat the Trotters in the final at Wembley.
Back Five
James Beadle
Signed on loan from Brighton, James Beadle was a quality acquisition between the sticks, and that really began to show when he was recalled in January.
The 19-year-old turned out 28 times for the U’s, keeping nine clean sheets. His impressive shot-stopping and composure with his feet really added another dimension when Oxford attacked.
Joe Bennett
Full-backs were arguably the most difficult position to fill in this squad and it could have gone either way on both flanks, but we have opted for Joe Bennett over Greg Leigh.
Leigh netted six goals and added one assist, which helped the U’s pick up some vital points. However, following his injury while away on international duty, he struggled to regain that form.
And that’s why Bennett was an important figure. Des Buckingham was without a left-back following Leigh’s injury and he snapped up Bennett as a free agent.
The experienced defender put in a consistent string of solid displays and while he wasn’t as threatening in attack as Leigh, his defensive stability was key towards the back end of the season.
Ciaron Brown
The centre-back pairing was a no-brainer. Ciaron Brown has put in yet another solid season but looks like a much different, and much more confident, player in the heart of defence.
The 26-year-old missed just one league game – a loss against Port Vale – and added five goals over the campaign. One of those, of course, came in the first league meeting in 20 years against rivals, Reading.
Elliott Moore
Another solid season for the skipper. The 27-year-old did miss a few games through injury, notably the 5-0 win over Peterborough, but it’s clear the defensive unit is stronger with him as part of it.
He only netted one league goal in the regular season but stepped up in the playoffs to give the U’s a first-leg advantage against the Posh.
The only criticism is that he doesn’t score more, but what a season for the captain, nonetheless.
Sam Long
Similar to left-back, selecting a right-back was a difficult decision but we’ve gone with Sam Long.
Fin Stevens, like Leigh, was far better going forward than Long but when Buckingham needed defensive stability, Long was the man to go to.
He isn’t the most standout performer but is another consistent defender, with his goalline clearance against Peterborough and his second-minute tackle against Bolton epitomising his character.
Midfield Three
Cameron Brannagan
Where to start with Cameron Brannagan? The midfield maestro has had several opportunities to leave the club and fulfil his dream of Championship football but he’s stuck to his promise and delivered it with the U’s.
The midfielder missed just three league games through injury and was crucial once again with goal contributions, scoring 12 and assisting nine.
His versatility is another string to his bow. He has played everywhere in midfield from the deep role to the number ten position but he puts in the same input with the same outcome almost every time.
Ruben Rodrigues
A promising signing in the summer, Ruben Rodrigues ended the campaign with another Wembley promotion.
His first campaign in League One was a successful one, playing 44 times, scoring nine and adding four assists. The Portuguese also added assists for both of the goals in the playoff final against Bolton.
He did have a dip in form, but he wasn’t the only one in what was, in parts, a difficult season, but he bounced back, showed resilience and helped the club over the line.
Billy Bodin
One of Oxford’s most underrated players at the time, it was another decent campaign for Billy Bodin.
The 32-year-old netted five league goals and added four assists. Like Leigh, three of his goals helped the U’s gain valuable points.
The midfielder is another versatile player, having played centrally, as a ten and out wide. However, he announced on Tuesday that he will be leaving the club after three seasons.
Front Three
Josh Murphy
From hero to zero, it has been some turnaround to life at Oxford for Josh Murphy.
Not played by Karl Robinson, not wanted by Liam Manning, he was finally unlocked by Des Buckingham.
Murphy managed just six substitute league appearances under Manning and even featured at left-back in the Football League Trophy.
Injuries to Marcus Browne and Kyle Edwards presented Buckingham an opportunity to give him game time, and while his goal contributions were lacking, performances were starting to arrive.
Unfortunately, he then picked up an injury but returned and discovered his form, scoring six and adding four assists from the final 16 league games, before netting an historic brace at Wembley.
Tyler Goodrham
Another sensational season for one of Oxford’s most promising academy graduates.
Having burst into the scene last season, Goodrham has taken his game to another level and out in a campaign to remember.
The 20-year-old scored eight and added four assists from 40 league outings, and some of those goals were sensational.
Under Buckingham, the youngster even adapted, and arguably performed better, playing as a number ten rather than a winger. At Wembley, he ran the show and barely looked phased by the occasion.
Mark Harris
“Oxford’s number nine” wasn’t brought in as a typical 20-goal-a-season striker but he ended the campaign just one goal shy of that number.
Admittedly, he has little competition in his position, with Gatlin O’Donkor struggling and January signing Will Goodwin suffering with injuries, but the Welshman has put in as much effort in his final game as he did on the opening day.
The brace at Derby was arguably the standout of his goals in what was a stellar debut season in yellow for the striker.
