Let’s not do this again

Home again at last!

It’s been over a month since United last had a home game, that 1-1 draw with Cambridge United on 19th September. Since then, we’ve had an international break in which Ciaron Brown scored twice for Northern Ireland against Ukraine (with that strike rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vlad Putin is one of those scouting him), a draw and penalty shoot-out defeat at Exeter City in that silly cup with the sillier name, a win at Notts County, and a draw and two red cards at Mansfield Town.

Now we’re back in the Shire to take on Wigan Athletic for just the eighth time at home, included in which was Oxford’s heaviest Football League defeat. History can be a bitch sometimes.

Wigan’s first visit to these shores was in April 1983 when we met as peers in Division Three. Goals from George Lawrence and Andy Thomas earned a 2-0 win for the U’s, who thus completed the double, although United would miss out on that season’s play-offs.

The following season would be much more successful for Oxford, who won the Third Division title, with Wigan peering on in envy, although they could manage just a goalless draw when the Latics came to town at the start of May.

The sides’ paths didn’t cross again until January 2000, when Jamie Cook’s goal gave Oxford a lead that they eventually squandered to go down 2-1. Sponsored by Rage On, Cook deserved a peerage for his strike against Wigan.

Oxford’s ‘defence’ conceded 100 goals the following season, including two without reply against Wigan in October 2000. Little surprise that the U’s were relegated to Division Four that season.

If United supporters thought those displays against Wigan were bad, they hadn’t seen anything yet. No strangers to crap performances, some of those under Pep Clotet defied explanation, including his team selection as Oxford gave the Latics an early Christmas present in December 2017. The scoreline remains, thankfully, the only time (so far) that the Yellows have lost 7-0 at home. In any competition. Admire the defending, but watch it from behind the sofa:

Unfortunately, there was no pandemic to prevent people watching that performance. Typically, when crowds weren’t permitted into stadiums, Oxford actually managed to win, coming from a goal down to beat the visitors from Lancs 2-1 with goals from Sam Winnall and Elliott Moore in February 2021.

The teams met again 10 months later when, despite goals from Ryan Williams and Matty Taylor, Wigan ran out 3-2 winners. The visitors surged into a 2-0 lead before Oxford pegged them back. However, the U’s were unable to prevent a late away winner.

The last time the sides met, in February 2024, United were on their way to promotion to the Championship, with Wigan falling victim to United’s peerless football. The visitors once again took the lead, but goals from Josh Murphy, Cameron Brannagan, and Rúben Rodrigues turned things around for the U’s. Oxford even allowed Wigan the luxury of scoring another goal before Tyler Goodrham put the final nail in the Latics’ coffin to make the final score 4-2.

The Match

Wigan come into Tuesday night’s game rock bottom of League One, without an away win to their name. In fact, their only away point came in a goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday on 12th September. Their last game on the road was a 1-0 defeat at Stevenage.

However, they did pick up three points at home last weekend with a 1-0 win over Reading, thanks to Scott Hogan’s 72nd-minute strike. Wigan remain the lowest scorers in the division but were buoyed by the return of Chris Saydee in the Reading win, the winger coming off the bench to set up Hogan’s goal. However, James Carragher (not that one) picked up his fifth yellow card of the season so I believe he’s suspended for the Oxford game.

United will also have at least one change to their starting line-up from against Mansfield, with Peter Kioso outlandishly dismissed for two yellow cards after an interesting refereeing performance. The most likely scenario is that he will be replaced by Jack Currie, with Brodie Spencer switching to right-back, although Sam Long can also play there (as can Aidan Elliott-Wheeler, although his inclusion is less probable).

In addition, Gatlin O’Donkor was also shown two yellows in the Mansfield draw, leaving Oxford short of striker cover on the bench. This could be the ideal opportunity to reintroduce Aidomo Emakhu to the squad as he could play in that role if necessary and apparently he has been fit for a couple of weeks, if not match fit.

That still leaves an additional space on the bench, which could provide an opportunity for Greg Leigh to come back in from the cold. He came off the bench at Exeter for his first minutes since January and, with a full-back suspended, it arguably makes sense for him to be included in the squad. I would, anyway.

The midfield options, significantly diminished since Jamie McDonnell’s injury against Cambridge, are likely to remain the same, with Cameron Brannagan and Louie Sibley sitting deeper, allowing Kai Andrews licence to roam. However, Tyler Goodrham could be recalled to play in a more forward role, sitting behind Mark Harris. All options seem equally plausible and equally effective.

In reality, the only other potential change is on the right wing. Luka Lynch made his first league start at Mansfield and justified his selection by scoring a fabulous goal. However, Aaron Ramsey may decide to bring back Mo Missanga. To be honest, there’s not a lot to choose between either player and both should be able to terrorise the Wigan defence. With Siriki Dembélé on the left, it’s no wonder that Oxford are making fools of what the stats say should be happening (apparently we’re not allowed to have scored as many goals as we have).

The dropping of two points at Field Mill prevented United from, briefly, going second in the table. Combined with most of the sides around us winning on Saturday, Oxford find themselves back in eighth place, now four points adrift of a clutch of four teams on 19 points. Even if the lads win on Tuesday, it’s unlikely to take the side up the table significantly, if at all. Still, at this stage of the season, it’s all about keeping in touch with the pack, and with two home games against the top two sides coming up, that’s what matters.

Meanwhile, Oxford United Women continued their good form, although they had to do it the hard way at AFC Wimbledon on Sunday. Right-back Nic Gibson returned from suspension but had to fill in at centre-back following injuries to Naomi Bedeau and Shaunna Jenkins. The Dons, who had lost just once this season, took a first-half lead – the first goal that Oxford had conceded this season – but Holly Manders equalised with a ferocious shot from a free kick 25 yards out. Manders was then shown a second yellow card but, despite their numerical disadvantage, Oxford won the game when substitute Emma Thompson scored her first of the season from Sophie Quirk’s left-wing cross.

United remain top of the table with a 100 per cent record after eight games, although second-placed Fulham are hot on their heels, six points behind but with a game in hand. Next Sunday the team are away to Portchester in the first round of the WFA Cup, but they’re back in league action on Wednesday 28th October as they welcome Real Bedford to the MGroup Stadium.

UTFO