It has been an inconsistent season for Oxford United but it ended with the U’s reaching the play-off semi-finals.
The U’s made a slow start, losing seven of their opening ten league games and being knocked out of both cup competitions, before producing a record-breaking run in the middle. Then, a late surge towards the end of the campaign saw Oxford move into the top six on the final day.
At times, there has also been inconsistency in team selection as a result of injuries. However, here is our Team of the Season:
Read: Oxford United Season Review
Back Five
Jack Stevens
Academy graduate Jack Stevens made 35 league appearances for the U’s this season after dislodging Simon Eastwood from the number one spot in November.
The 23-year-old had only made nine senior appearances before his inclusion against Ipswich Town, with the majority coming in the Football League Trophy.
Oxford had failed to keep a clean sheet under Eastwood in the league, but Stevens managed two from his opening three games before keeping 13 shutouts in total.
Still young, the goalkeeper has room to develop but his inclusion into the first team has been one of Karl Robinson’s best decisions since he took over.
Despite signing a new long term deal, there is no guarantee that he will keep the jersey next season, with Eastwood also committing his future to the club, giving Robinson the option of two very good goalkeepers.
Josh Ruffels
Mr Consistent, Josh Ruffels has barely put a foot wrong at left-back. The 27-year-old played in 47 matches this season and added a career-best six goals and six assists.
The Oxford-born defender came up against some talented wingers in the early part of the season but, on the whole, managed to nullify any threats across the campaign.
A goal in a 3-2 win at Plymouth was followed up by a brace at Burton, before the defender added the match-winner against Fleetwood, and strikes at Crewe and AFC Wimbledon.
However, Ruffels is out of contract in the summer and talks have hit a standstill, so the defender looks likely to depart after eight years at his hometown club, with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in signing him.
Rob Atkinson
It’s hard to believe that Rob Atkinson has only played one season in the Football League, given how well he has performed for the U’s.
Signed from Eastleigh in January 2020, the centre back was loaned back to the Spitfires before returning towards the end of the season.
He made his debut in the opening day defeat at Lincoln and was wrongly sent off late on. Injury also ruled him out of a handful of fixtures but the 22-year-old still managed 39 league appearances.
Goals in a win over Shrewsbury and the second leg of the playoffs against Blackpool meant he was the lowest scoring defender, but his displays at the back still earned him a spot in League One Team of the Season. As a result, Bristol City have shown interest in the defender.
Elliott Moore
Alongside Atkinson, as has been the case all season, is Elliott Moore. Not only did the 24-year-old play in all 46 league games this season, but he also played every minute in the division.
Made captain following the U’s defeat to Swindon, the centre back has been commanding and has controlled what has become a solid back four.
Like Ruffels, Moore has also chipped in with his fair share of goal contributions, scoring five times and adding four assists in the league.
Sam Long
At the start of the season, Sam Long wasn’t even guaranteed a spot in the starting line-up, but as a result of injuries and poor performances, the right-back has stepped up brilliantly when required.
Long played at right-back in the opening day defeat against Lincoln before filling in on the left for the injured Ruffels in the next two fixtures. Long then played the following seven games in the middle with Atkinson out injured.
He returned to the right for the 2-1 win at Wigan and cemented his position in the team. Only injury ruled him out, but the Oxford-born defender still managed 36 league outings.
Again, like Ruffels, Long has made important contributions at both ends of the pitch, scoring six and adding four assists. Arguably, his best goal came in a 3-2 win at Plymouth but his most important came at Grenoble Road as he netted twice in the final ten minutes as the U’s came from two goals down against Gillingham to win 3-2.
Unfortunately for Long, he picked up another injury in the final day win over Burton, which ruled him out of the play-off matches against Blackpool.
His performances won him both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year at the end of season awards.
