TO mark John Mousinho’s new contract at Oxford United, we pick out some key moments from his time at the club so far which highlight his contribution.
While he was 31 by the time he signed for Pep Clotet in August 2017, the extra year should means he will end up playing more games for the U's than anyone else in his career.
And across those games he has made a telling impact at crucial times.
December 23, 2017
Oxford United 0, Wigan Athletic 7
Unquestionably one of the lowest moments of his three-year spell, but Mousinho fronted up and spoke to the media after the thumping.
In contrast to Clotet's shell-shocked interview minutes earlier, the skipper spoke with great clarity at a difficult time.
He said: "Age is irrelevant really – if you’re losing games 7-0 whether you’re 19 or 33 it’s obviously not good enough.
"For some of them it will be the first time they’ve taken a hammering like this, but for the older heads inevitably it happens a couple of times in your career.
"The only thing we can do is make sure we use our experience to help the young lads and make sure they don’t take this as a terminal loss."
April 28, 2018
Oxford United 2, Rochdale 1
Heading into the penultimate game of the season the U's were still not assured of safety from relegation.
With a trip to title hopefuls Blackburn Rovers still to come, the job simply had to be finished at home to Rochdale.
The atmosphere turned tense when the struggling visitors took the lead, but within three minutes United were awarded a penalty.
Mousinho assumed responsibility and crashed in an unstoppable spot kick to calm nerves and set the U's on the way to a 2-1 victory.
October 6, 2018
Southend United 0, Oxford United 0
Five months later and United were in even bigger trouble at the wrong end of the League One table, having collected just five points from their opening 11 games.
Something had to change - and boss Karl Robinson changed his formation, moving Mousinho forward into a defensive midfield role.
The game at Roots Hall was not pretty and results elsewhere meant United slipped to the foot of the table, but the goalless draw stopped the rot.
Mousinho in his new position helped make the side sturdier as they gradually pulled away from trouble.
October 29, 2019
Oxford United 1, Sunderland 1 (U's win 4-2 on penalties)
As far as first touches in a game go, this takes some beating.
Mousinho was left out of the starting line-up for the Carabao Cup fourth round tie at the Kassam Stadium, but was brought on with seconds remaining.
Also read: John Mousinho - Last summer changed my Oxford United status
It was with a view to one thing - scoring United's fourth penalty in the resulting shoot-out against Sunderland.
Spot kicks are notoriously nerve-racking, but just like his strike from 12 yards against Rochdale it was hard, high and into the net as the U's marched into the quarter-finals.
November 12, 2019
Crawley Town 1, Oxford United 4
There would be some senior professionals who would have the hump if they were picked for a Leasing.com Trophy group stage game - even more so if they were then told to give the captain's armband to a teenager.
But Mousinho had no issues with the decision to make Nico Jones skipper for the night and his experience playing alongside the youngster would have helped the learning experience.
Pictures by David Fleming and Steve Daniels
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