Oxford United's 2020/21 season review - September-November

Less than eight weeks after their play-off heartache, the U’s were back in competitive action with a Carabao Cup first round tie against AFC Wimbledon.

Despite their shortened summer, United’s transfer business looked good on paper.

Matty Taylor returned to his home town club on a permanent deal having enjoyed a successful loan spell the previous campaign.

Matty Taylor: Oxford United are still on the right track

Sean Clare and Joel Cooper moved down from Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively, while the season-long loans of Marcus McGuane and Liam Kelly bolstered the midfield – the latter signing on the same day as unknown French striker Derick Osei.

Meanwhile, Rob Dickie’s protracted move to QPR finally went through four days before the Wimbledon game and Jamie Mackie had announced his retirement.

SEPTEMBER

With matches taking place behind closed doors – only until October, we thought – United laboured against the south London side.

Rob Atkinson, McGuane and Osei made debuts and Simon Eastwood saved three penalties, helping the U’s to a shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

It came as Robinson announced he had agreed a new four-year contract, adding: “It’s become more than just a club to me now, it’s become home and a way of my life.”

United beat Chelsea Under 21s 2-1 in their first EFL Trophy game, before striker Sam Winnall arrived on the eve of the Sky Bet League One opener at Lincoln City.

That signing added to the positive mood, but a 2-0 defeat brought the U’s back down to earth.

Robinson’s side enjoyed plenty of possession, but were less ruthless than their opponents – a theme that would rear its head several times in the coming months.

Three days later the U’s exited the Carabao Cup, losing on penalties to Watford after the visitors equalised late to prevent a shock.

That game saw John Mousinho join Josh Ruffels and Alex Gorrin on the treatment table, continuing an unfortunate start on the injury front.

That did not excuse a dire 2-0 defeat to Sunderland and United were bottom of the table after two games when they arrived at Accrington Stanley – just about.

Players and staff had to make their own way to the ground after an alcohol-based sanitising spray got into the driver’s breathalyser, preventing the bus from starting.

Matty Taylor celebrates his second goal at Accrington Stanley Picture: Richard Parkes

The mishap did not affect the U’s, who produced arguably their best display before Christmas to win 4-1.

Taylor, who scored twice, said: “I used to do that back in non-league, so it makes no difference to me.”

OCTOBER

United believed they could build on their good form against Crewe Alexandra, only for coronavirus to strike – and not for the last time.

The visitors already had one case in the squad and only told the U’s about a second positive test when they arrived at the Kassam Stadium, forcing the game to be postponed just 40 minutes before kick-off.

Karl Robinson signals that the match against Crewe Alexandra has been called off Picture: David Fleming

United had lost the momentum gained at Accrington and Robinson called for more reinforcements after a 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers in their second Trophy game, when Jack Stevens was the penalty hero in another shoot-out win.

The U’s again lacked a killer instinct in their 3-1 defeat at Gillingham, where a ‘local spike in coronavirus’ saw their changing room switched to an area of the concourse, allowing Robinson’s half-time team-talk to be recorded and shared on social media.

It was a frustrating week, with the home fixture against Crewe postponed again and Middlesbrough closing the door on a third loan spell for Marcus Browne.

The U’s did sign Mide Shodipo on loan from QPR on transfer deadline day, but a 2-0 defeat at Peterborough United 24 hours later sent them back to the bottom.

On a far more serious note, Cameron Brannagan missed that game after he was suddenly admitted to hospital with a rare eye infection.

The issue threatened the midfielder’s sight and kept him out for the rest of 2020.

Shodipo scored two minutes into his United career as MK Dons were beaten 3-2, setting Robinson’s side up nicely for a first derby with Swindon Town since February 2017.

Mide Shodipo scores on debut against MK Dons Picture: David Fleming

But after a day where the game was on, off and back on again following reports of multiple cases in the Robins’ camp, it was eventually postponed at 7.30pm.

United’s fixture pile-up was mounting and Robinson’s mood did not improve as familiar flaws led to successive 2-0 defeats at Charlton Athletic and Fleetwood Town.

NOVEMBER

The U’s were bottom of the table and a must-win home game against Rochdale ended the right way, Elliott Moore scoring twice in a 3-1 win.

Elliott Moore celebrates his second goal against Rochdale Picture: David Fleming

They lost 2-1 to Peterborough in the Emirates FA Cup first round, two days before free agent Jordan Obita joined his hometown club.

He played 45 minutes at Walsall in the Papa John’s Trophy, as Osei’s classy strike settled a poor game.

After a free weekend the U’s finally managed to play Crewe, but a bleak 2-0 defeat meant it certainly was not worth the wait.

United were fourth from bottom and the squad held clear-the-air talks ahead of their visit to basement boys Wigan Athletic.

Alex Gorrin scores from the penalty spot against Portsmouth Picture: David Fleming

Once again they spurned several chances, but held on for a 2-1 victory before a battling 1-1 draw at Portsmouth three days later, when Alex Gorrin scored his first U’s goal.

There was a sense United had turned a corner ahead of the rearranged Swindon clash and they went ahead through Taylor’s strike.

But their failure to keep a clean sheet cost them and they conceded twice late on to hand their rivals a first derby victory in 19 years.

Oxford United cannot believe it as they concede late to lose to Swindon Town Picture: David Fleming

United were only above the drop zone on goal difference and Robinson did not mince his words.

He said: “There’s players in there that are underperforming and they’ve got to pull their finger out.”

Tomorrow: December-February.