Oxford United

Oxford United have entered talks with Brentford over a possible loan deal for Bees midfielder Myles Peart-Harris, with the 23-year-old Englishman yet to feature in the Premier League this season. (Football Insider), external

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Oxford United caretaker manager Craig Short was unhappy with the manner of the second goal in their 2-1 defeat at Ipswich.

Chuba Akpom scored the winner after 40 minutes, six minutes after Will Lankshear levelled from Jaden Philogene's opener.

Short said Oxford did not defend well enough.

"In the last two games, I've said I want performances and we'll see where we go from there.

"This is a difficult place to come in a busy period, confidence is low. We stuck at it, stayed in the game. I was disappointed when we got back to 1-1, you know we'll have to defend and we had to like we did against Southampton.

"If you stay in the game you've got people to come on and be a threat at the end. The second goal was soft and it deflated us."

Short added that, while he'll need to pick the players up, he is confident results will improve if they continue to show the same attitude.

"The lads are flat but they've got confidence because of the performance. Everyone is going to play their part in this busy period; it is a massive game on Sunday [against Sheffield United].

"If they have the attitude and desire of today, they'll have a chance."

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Promotion-chasing Ipswich Town welcome relegation-battling Oxford United for a clash with permutations at both ends of the Championship table on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Tractor Boys moved within two points of the automatic promotion spots with an excellent 2-0 win at leaders Coventry City on Monday night.

Kieran McKenna's side have won four of their past six (D1 L1) and have only suffered one defeat at Portman Road so far this season (W7 D4).

The U's have won just one of their past six games (D1 L4) and are three points adrift of safety having played a game more than Portsmouth in 21st.

• Ipswich Town lost 2-1 to Oxford United in the reverse fixture back in November and could suffer a league double to the U's for the very first time.

• Oxford have only won two of their 12 away games against Ipswich in the EFL (D3 L7), winning 2-1 in October 1988 and 1-0 in February 2020.

• Ipswich have only won their opening game in one of the past 17 calendar years (D9 L7), beating Gillingham 4-0 in 2022.

• Oxford have won their opening league game in both of the past two calendar years, last doing so in three consecutive years between 2016 and 2018.

• Oxford's Mark Harris netted the opener in his side's 2-1 win against Ipswich earlier this season but only against Carlisle in 2023-24 and Norwich in 2024-25 has he scored home and away for the U's in a league campaign.

Image source, Rex Features

Oxford United winger Stan Mills believes the players let down former manager Gary Rowett, who was sacked just before Christmas.

Rowett's departure was announced on 23 December, after a year in the post, with the club struggling near the foot of the Championship and Mills says the squad has to shoulder the blame for his exit.

"We obviously know we haven't been up to standard this season and unfortunately that got our last manager sacked," Mills told BBC Radio Oxford.

"That's down to us as players really. We know it's a tough league and we need to step up.

"It's our fault we've not performed as well as we probably should have done and a manager has been sacked because of that."

Mills, who grabbed the late winner in the Boxing-Day win over Southampton with Craig Short in interim charge, feels Oxford have the talent to escape the drop.

"We know what we've got in that changing room. We know that if we all pull in the right direction we have got enough to stay in this league," he said.

"I think it's a good group. It's very hard working. We've got very talented players. I think if we all pull in the same direction, if we all work hard for each other that's all the new manager will want.

"Everyone, when a new manager comes in, raises their game a little bit because they want to be the one that makes the difference and I think we're all going to do that and it's going to help us perform on the pitch."

The U's, currently outside the relegation zone on goal difference, host Swansea City on Monday [19:45 GMT].

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Oxford United Interim boss Craig Short highlighted "crucial saves and blocks" as to why they beat Southampton on Boxing Day.

The U's took the lead thanks to a sweet strike by Tyler Goodrham before Saints levelled prior to half time.

Stan Mills then ran through to score a dramatic late winner and claim all three points for Oxford in their first game since Gary Rowett's sacking.

"I said to the players after the game that you're not going to get results in this league without crucial saves and last minute blocks," Short told BBC Radio Oxford.

"You can't play against these top sides without hanging in there, if you concede from a set piece like we did then you have to just hold out of the next few minutes and get to half time.

"The substitutes made a really good impact as well, the best form of defence is attack so let's have a go we thought.

"The fans were great but I said we have to get them going, it was really encouraging but now we have some tough games to come and a really busy period."

Oxford are next in action on 29 December when they host Swansea City at the Kassam.

For the third successive Boxing Day Oxford United will have a different manager in charge from the one they started the season with after they sacked Gary Rowett on Tuesday.

Southampton are looking to avoid going three games without a league win for the third time this season.

• This is the first league meeting between Oxford and Southampton since April 1988, and a goalless draw in the top-flight.

• Southampton have won all four of their second-tier games against Oxford United, with these taking place between 1974 and 1976.

• Oxford have won four of their past five Boxing Day league games (L1), with all four of those victories coming in home games.

• Southampton have lost two of their past three Boxing Day league games (W1), as many as they had in their previous 13 (W7 D4).

• Southampton have conceded 42 away league goals in 2025 so far – only once this century have they shipped more on the road in a year, conceding 54 in 2021 in the Premier League.

Jerome Sale
BBC Radio Oxford

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This always felt like a rental agreement, not a purchase for life, and that is fine because as such it worked.

It is understood that when the final decision was made and communicated to Gary Rowett, he left the training ground without addressing the players collectively.

But with the benefit of hindsight it would have been so much better for Oxford United to have thanked Rowett for his brilliant achievement in keeping the club in the Championship last summer, and seen his time at the Kassam Stadium as mission accomplished.

He lasted barely a year - his first six months was the Championship's go-to guy to keep a club up just doing his thing.

But that made everyone a little giddy about what could be achieved in the longer term but he stayed and both parties have lived to regret that.

United are where they were at Christmas last year - in the relegation zone and in significant trouble because they have no momentum.

Things were clearly coming to a head when Oxford were beaten by a badly out of form Charlton side.

The fans started to turn, while Rowett understandably wanted to get his version of events on the record - rounding on the supporters who called out his perceived brand of football or called for him to go as "disrespectful", pointing out that HE had kept THEIR team in the division a few short months earlier.

In the modern game, Oxford supporters are among the slowest to call for a managerial change and were shocked when the club sacked Des Buckingham 10 days before Christmas 2024.

This decision and its timing are not prompting the same reaction.

The writing was on the wall when Rowett said at the weekend that he had no clarity over the January transfer window, which is little more than a week away.

It suggests conflict with the ownership and board, but also a devil may care attitude about whether he would stay or go.

It felt like a "back me or sack me" interview that he gave to BBC Radio Oxford. Erick Thohir, the club's owner, after consultation with his senior management team in Oxford, chose the latter.

"I'm a head coach and have been for a long time," Rowett told BBC Radio Oxford after Saturday's defeat by Charlton Athletic.

"The job's really simple, if you don't win games of football then someone either backs you in the transfer window that you're going to change things, or changes it.

"We all know the game and we all see it, I've had no indication from the club for either of those situations which is quite frustrating.

"The club needs a lift and I think it needs investment in January, I think it's quite clear that the club need help and that extra little bit on the pitch, the only way to do that is go and spend some money and bring some of those players in."

Changing the head coach may of course mean changing January window targets - some not all.

The plans for existing players may change for United, or if they are loan players, the plans of their parent clubs might.

Will available funds be increased? Recruitment these days is, of course, not completely the head coach's domain but they clearly have to have a significant input.

All is by no-means lost but if United are to make a fist of again beating the odds to survive in the Championship, they have to nail the January window AND the recruitment of Rowett's replacement.

United's head of football operations Ed Waldron is leading on both, and though the final call with be Thohir's, it is Waldron's time to shine.

The club have to get it right or Rowett's parting shots will echo long after his departure.

When Buckingham was sacked a year ago, Rowett had been appointed in time for the next game.

That won't happen again but Oxford - who have won just one match in 10 - clearly will have considered where they would turn if they decided to roll the dice again.

While Christmas won't be a time of relaxation for any at the club, I would expect to see the hot seat filled before most people are back at work after the New Year's celebrations.

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We asked for your thoughts after head coach Gary Rowett was sacked by Oxford United.

Here are some of your thoughts...

Jonathan: If Des Buckingham was sacked with the club in arguably a better position in the table last season, you can't really argue with the logic. When Des was sacked all roads led to Gary Rowett, but I'm not sure there's an obvious candidate this time. Steven Gerrard maybe fancies a Frank Lampard-esque revival in the Championship?

Rowan: I think it was harsh but, I mean, it was needed. We have some injuries at the moment, but it is exactly like the situation with what we did with Des [Buckingham]. I want either big Sam [Allardyce] or Michael Carrick.

Adam: Stupid sacking. Just remember, it takes 3-5 years for an apple tree to start bearing fruit.

David: Absolutely the right decision. As fans we know we are punching above our weight just being in the Championship but it's our turgid style of play more than the position we find ourselves in. If we are going to be relegated let's get someone in who is prepared to attack teams. Let's go out with a bang not a whimper.

Arthur: United have a better squad than last season, but have been underperforming. In recent weeks Rowett has run out of ideas with his team selection and his rhetoric has been uninspiring. It's a risky decision by the board, but probably the right one given the circumstances.

Mike: A more negative set-up at the expense of flowing football was always going to be trademark under Rowett. However, there has also been a recent puzzling loyalty to Harris over Lankshear, loss of Brannagan in midfield, inability to find the best of Goodrham. The Charlton game seemed to indicate that Rowett and Oxford had run out of ideas. So, it seemed to be just a matter of time before this happened, so why not do it sooner rather than later?

Kevin: I think Michael Carrick could be ideal or Liam Manning.

Stuart: Understandable after the current run of form but if we were looking for a new manager, as we are now, I think Rowett would be high on our wish list! Who do we bring in to keep us up, Neil Warnock or Martin O'Neill!?

Simon: Disappointed for two reasons. First, Oxford are becoming a hire and fire football club. Second, the decision diverts the blame from the board to the manager. Ultimately, not enough money has been spent on the squad and it makes me think that there will be limited spending during the January transfer window also.

Alan: There are bigger problems at the club than the head coach: a shambolic pre-season, rumours of budget cuts during the summer transfer window and poor recruitment leaving us threadbare in midfield. The upper level management at the club have questions to answer. That said, it's clear that Gary had run out of ideas and a change was necessary. Recent performances - particularly against teams around us in the relegation battle - have lacked confidence, discipline or shape. I'm grateful to Gary for keeping us up last season and bear him no ill will. The time was right to spin the dice, but it should not be done in isolation. The senior management team should take a long hard look at themselves too.

Nigel: It would have taken a run of impressive wins to maintain confidence in the reign of GR. Given that our board sacked Des Buckingham a year ago and only a few months after he took us up to the Championship, this reaction was almost inevitable. It's hard to see who will come in and do much better, but I feel we have a squad and some talent that should see us mid-table at least... COYY

Image source, PA Media

Oxford United have sacked head coach Gary Rowett after a year in charge.

Rowett helped the U's avoid relegation last season following his appointment in December 2024.

But the 51-year-old has been dismissed with the club in the Championship drop zone and two points adrift of safety, having played a game more than Portsmouth in 21st.

Do you think it's the correct decision to move on from Rowett?

Who would you like to see replace him?

Let us know your thoughts here and check back to see some of your responses.

Image source, Rex Features

Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett has bemoaned his side's lack of "quality" in the final third after the U's 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic.

Charlton substitute Tyreece Campbell teed up fellow replacement Charlie Kelman late in the match to break the deadlock and record Oxford's 11th loss of the season.

"I mean, it's another game that, you could put pilot into 10 games a season where the game's there, there are some good moments, some good bits of control, but we lack a little bit of quality," said Rowett to BBC Radio Oxford after the match.

"Then one moment from the opposition - I couldn't say Charlton had cut us open or done anything to really open us up massively - but they score with their one moment of quality.

"We have moments ourselves, we just can't quite find that quality. I think that's the game, it's pretty simple really."

Charlton Athletic will seek an end to a difficult spell when they host bottom three side Oxford United on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Addicks suffered a five-match loss streak before their draw to Birmingham City on the weekend but still remain without a win in six to drop them down from the upper half of the table to just 17th.

Oxford's trip to the Valley will offer up a good opportunity though, with Gary Rowett's side without a win on the road since a 2-1 at Hillsborough in October.

• After winning seven consecutive league games against Oxford between 1993 and 1998, Charlton have won just one of their last 14 against the Us since 2016 (D5 L8).

• Oxford have won four of their last seven away league games against Charlton (D2 L1), having been winless in their first 15 visits between 1968 and 1997 (D7 L8).

• Charlton have lost five of their last six Championship matches (D1). Since the first game in this run on 8th November, no side have picked up fewer points than the Addicks in the competition (1 – level with Sheffield Wednesday).

• Oxford have won just one of their last nine Championship matches (D4 L4), with that one victory coming at home (2-1 v Ipswich). Since the start of November, only Sheffield Wednesday (0) have won fewer matches than them (1) in the competition.

• Brian De Keersmaecker leads all Oxford players for assists (4) and chances created (31) in the Championship this season. 19 of his chances created have come from set plays, with only Coventry's Matt Grimes (28) registering more in the division.

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Oxford have an "anger" to improve their results, says defender Michal Helik.

The U's have won only two of their past 10 Championship matches and are in the relegation zone.

"We're feeling disappointed because of the last result (a 2-1 defeat by Preston) but this is a good period for us to show a reaction," Helik told BBC Radio Oxford.

"We've got an anger in us to turn the results around and I'm pretty sure and hope we are going to do that."

Oxford visit Charlton on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with the Addicks only five points better off, but Helik believes they have to look beyond being involved in a relegation scrap - which means improving their defensive record as well.

"I'm not looking to bring anyone closer to us, I am hoping we are going to win every game. I'm not looking who is around us, we just need to focus on ourselves and try to do the best for the club and get us above the line," he said.

"It's a thing which is really annoying me at the moment - (conceding) sloppy goals. It is not like teams are playing brilliant football against us.

"It's just small details we can change to get the clean sheet and that's what we're working on."

Oxford United will look to boost their survival hopes when they welcome play-off chasing Preston North End on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

The U's are two points above the drop zone having played one game more than 22nd-placed Portsmouth and have just one win in their past eight (D4 L3).

The Lilywhites are fifth but have also stuttered slightly in recent weeks with just one win in six (D4), though only one of those has been a defeat.

• Oxford have won six of their past 10 league games against Preston (D2 L2) and won 3-1 at home against the Lilywhites in 2024-25.

• Preston North End have lost five of their past six away league games against Oxford (W1), winning the other 4-0 in February 2000 under David Moyes.

• Having beaten Ipswich 2-1 in their most recent home league game, Oxford are looking for consecutive home league wins for the first time since April.

• Preston have won three of their past seven away league games (D3 L1), as many as in their previous 30 combined. They're looking for consecutive away wins for the first time since February/March 2024 (run of three).

• Oxford boss Gary Rowett has never lost a Championship match against Preston North End (W8 D7), with his 15 games against them the most any manager has taken charge of against an opponent without defeat since the 2004-05 rebrand.

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Oxford United have tried to match the feeling of playing against one of the Championship's promotion challengers for all their games this season, says boss Gary Rowett.

The U's host fifth-placed Preston North End on Saturday (12:30 GMT) having already drawn with leaders Coventry along with high-flying Middlesbrough and Millwall and beaten Ipswich.

Rowett is aware his players seem to raise their performance levels for certain matches.

"The reason is probably obvious in as much as the game feels bigger, the players maybe have that heightened feeling of having to perform at their maximum," he told BBC Radio Oxford.

"Sometimes maybe when you get up for a game like Ipswich and then you have a slightly different away game against a team around you it doesn't quite feel the same.

"We've worked to try to see if we can resemble that feeling and create that feeling but ultimately it's either with you or it isn't."

Oxford are only two points clear of the Championship's relegation zone but have been beaten just once in their past five home games and Rowett accepts his team are more comfortable playing at the Kassam Stadium.

"At home it's a lot easier in some ways in front of your own fans to play with that extra zip," he added.