Oxford Drop Out of Play-Offs

In the season defining fortnight, Oxford United dropped out of the play-off places after extending their winless streak to an alarming five games. Unfortunately, manager Chris Wilder must take a share of the blame for his refusal to change a front three that have been ineffectual and in the case of sulky Dean Morgan, totally uncommitted to the promotion push that the supporters so desire. The on-loan Chesterfield winger’s two minute ‘sit-in’ in the penalty area during the Gillingham game particularly incensed the United faithful. Morgan may have taken a knock but after six games of pent-up frustration watching the arrogant loanee strut around the Kassam turf, this was the final straw for the Oxford fans and they let their feelings knows, booing Morgan as Wilder was finally forced to substitute his beloved loanee. It defies belief that Oxford entered the crucial stage of the season reliant on such a hapless trio. Aside Morgan’s obvious failings, Cristian Montano, on loan from West Ham, lacks composure. A prime example of this flaw came in the entertaining 2-2 draw with Torquay when, at 2-1 to Oxford, he over-hit the simplest of passes to the completely unmarked Asa Hall in the Torquay penalty area. Oxford were left to rue this chance as Torquay came back to steal a point in stoppage time. While Scott Rendell has been the pick of the trio and has tirelessly led the front line in recent weeks, he is not the man to fire Oxford to promotion glory. With James Constable lacking match sharpness and confidence due to Wilder’s inexplicable reason to drop him to the bench, United have been left with a chronic lack of firepower. JP Pitman impressed in January but since picking up an injury, Wilder has completely overlooked the American and he did not even merit a place on the substitutes bench against Plymouth. He seems destined for the exit this summer and one can only hope that he does not replicate the success of Jack Midson, who looks set to finish this season as the division’s leading scorer.

In fairness to Wilder, Oxford deserved the three points against promotion hopefuls Torquay United on Easter Monday. In an enthralling contest, Oxford conceded an early goal after a calamitous mistake from the shaky Harry Worley before staging an inspired comeback. After squandering a hatful of chances, Adam Chapman then scored a remarkable goal direct from a corner. Roared on by the Oxford Mail Stand, the home side continued to pile on the pressure and eventually their dominance relented when a precise Damian Batt cross was headed home by Montano. Oxford ought to have doubled their advantage and in the closing stages Morgan was gifted the golden opportunity to win over his doubters but he blazed the chance over. Much like the Northampton game, Oxford were dealt a sucker-punch when Ryan Clarke failed to keep out Tom Atieno’s last-gasp effort.

Fortunately Oxford had the chance to rectify this result at home to Gillingham five days later. The U’s failed to hit the heights of the Torquay match and were reliant on Liam Davis for two goal-saving blocks. Despite this, Oxford came the closest to scoring with the impressive Asa Hall forcing a great save out of the highly-rated Gillingham keeper, Paolo Gazzaniga and then having a left foot volley headed off the line by Matt Fish. In the last minute, Oxford’s lively substitute Oli Johnson went down in the area and the whole crowd went up screaming for a penalty. The referee blew his whistle and the Oxford fans roared with delight. Unfortunately those cheers quickly turned to groans as the referee proceeded to award Gillingham a free-kick and rightfully caution Johnson for diving. Johnson’s tumble had been the last throw of the dice on another bitterly frustrating afternoon. Still, Macclesfield’s late equaliser against Crewe meant that Oxford somehow remained in a play-off place.

Oxford’s next match was a tricky test away at relegation strugglers Plymouth Argyle, who Oxford had thrashed 5-1 earlier in the season. Having relied on results going their way the last few weeks, Oxford now needed to concentrate on their own performance and record a much-needed victory. Much like the Torquay game though, Oxford went behind inside five minutes after Robbie Williams curled home a well-placed free-kick. During their recent slump, few United players have covered themselves in glory, but Asa Hall has stood out and turned in a number of excellent performances. His goal scoring record has also been impressive and he added to his tally here, firing a 30 yard wonder strike past the helpless Plymouth keeper. That was how it finished, meaning that Plymouth had escaped the dreaded drop.

With Crewe finally capitalising on Oxford’s miserable run of form, United slipped outside the play-off places for the first time since January. Crewe have a tough fixture away at Torquay next week, but Oxford have a daunting task of their own, at home to Southend United. Oxford must now deliver or else a season that promised so much will come to a juddering halt. If that happens, Wilder will face the ire of the Oxford fans on Saturday.