Played for both – the incomparable George Baldock

Tomorrow, Oxford United, with five points from their last three games, take on bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United, who have lost their first six games of the season, hoping for a repeat of last season’s meeting.

On that occasion, the Blades were top of the Championship but a goal from winger Siriki Dembélé earned the U’s the points in a game that started Oxford’s climb away from relegation danger and Sheffield’s fall from the automatic promotion race.

How we would dearly love a repeat tomorrow and, for probably the first time in a long time, Oxford will actually be the favourites going into the game. Why doesn’t that fact fill us with confidence?

I’ll tell you for why: it’s because it’s not the Oxford way to win games such as these. The Oxford way is to be the underdogs going to Bristol City and tearing them a new one and then going into a game against a team on a shitty run and gracefully stepping aside for them to end that run.

That might sound overly pessimistic and cynical, but by christ, it’s what we’ve all become used to over the years. Of course, there are exceptions, and when United get a good head of steam they can railroad past any opposition. But, mitigating factor:
Former Oxford manager Chris Wilder m’lord is back in the Blades hot seat and we know what an awkward bugger he can be. If anyone can get a squad of players whose confidence is destroyed back playing with passion and purpose, he can.

Team news

Of course, there are no foregone conclusions in football, and in Gary Rowett, United have a manager who can ensure that the team remain focused and, as Wilder might say, ‘at it’. However, despite the managers, on the day it will all come down to the players on the pitch. For Oxford, Cameron Brannagan, Brian De Keersmaecker, Nic Prelec, Filip Krastev and, let’s face it, all those who started at Ashton Gate, can be pivotal in turning the game in the Yellows’ favour.

Oxford will also be hoping that Ben Davies will be available after missing the Bristol City game. Davies impressed on his debut against Leicester and was instrumental in the second goal, his header being deflected into the net by the obliging Boubakary Soumare. With Greg Leigh chomping at the bit following his ‘goal’ from the bench on Sunday, it does look good for the U’s.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, are in all sorts of trouble. In their 1-0 home defeat to Charlton last weekend they had just one shot on target, although you’d expect Wilder to improve his side’s attacking intent. They also could have a Davies ready to return, as Tom looks to be involved in his first game of the season, having played for the Blades’ development side during the week. Sheffield will be without Oliver Arblaster, Jamie Shackleton and Danny Ings.

One Blade who will be hoping to make an impression is Alex Matos. The livewire midfielder spent the second part of last season on loan to Oxford from Chelsea, making a big impression in his 21 appearances (11 starts) and prompting Sheffield to spunk an undisclosed but presumably hefty fee on the 20-year-old (he turns 21 on Friday 3rd October).

In the past

Sheffield United are on top in the 31 head-to-head games between the clubs, with 16 wins to Oxford’s 10, and before last season’s defeat to the U’s they had won the previous five meetings. United did the double over Sheffield in the first season the sides met in Division Two (1968/69), while other memorable results include a 5-1 home win in Oxford’s Second Division promotion season, and a 4-1 win in December 1996, when the late Martin Aldridge smashed home a hat-trick.

Check out the full record between the sides HERE.

Played for both

In addition to the aforementioned Matos, both sides share a number of alumni, including Adam Chapman, John Lundstram, Jake Wright, Marvin Johnson, Dean Saunders and, of course, the never-to-be-forgotten George Baldock.

Let’s win it for George, guys…