IT is often thought that a team’s performance over Christmas sets the tone for the rest of the campaign.
A run of wins seems to herald a promotion challenge, while failure to pick up points raises fears of a relegation battle.
But how accurate is this?
We looked at Oxford United’s results during the festive period over the last decade to find out if there is any correlation between a happy Christmas and smiles in May.
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Today, we focus on the first five seasons, when results at this time of year tended to have a bearing on the outcome of the campaign.
2010/11
Position on Christmas Day: 16th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 28: Macclesfield Town (H) 2-1.
- January 1: Southend United (H) 0-2.
- January 3: Torquay United (A) 4-3.
United could have been forgiven for being rusty ahead of the visit of Macclesfield Town – the clash at the Kassam Stadium was their first outing since December 4.
But goals from Simon Heslop and James Constable sealed the U’s third win a row, which was welcome for a side who had been 21st in November.
A disappointing, but entirely predictable, 2-0 home defeat to Southend United followed on New Year’s Day, before a seven-goal thriller at Torquay United 48 hours later.
Tom Craddock opened the scoring, before Jack Midson bagged a hat-trick – his third goal a winner in stoppage time – to help United finish 12th in their first season back in the Football League.
Jack Midson celebrates his late winner at Torquay United in 2011 Picture: Jon Lewis
Position after festive results: 12th (+4).
Where United finished: 12th (+4).
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2011/12
Position on Christmas Day: 8th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: AFC Wimbledon (A) 2-0.
- December 31: Torquay United (A) 0-0.
- January 2: Crawley Town (H) 1-1.
Chris Wilder’s side were two points outside the League Two play-offs before the Boxing Day visit of AFC Wimbledon, a fixture which is repeated this year.
James Constable and Asa Hall netted before half-time to secure the points, before United drew 0-0 at Torquay in a less enthralling tie than the previous season.
A crowd of 9,000 saw Tyrone Barnett, who went on to play for the U’s, score a 90th-minute equaliser for Crawley Town on January 2, cancelling out Jon-Paul Pittman’s strike.
Jon-Paul Pittman scores for Oxford United against Crawley Town Picture: Damian Halliwell
Despite the setback, United looked likely to reach the play-offs until they failed to win any of their last seven games of the campaign.
Position after festive results: 8th (no change).
Where United finished: 9th (-1).
2012/13
Position on Christmas Day: 19th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Exeter City (A) 3-1.
- December 29: AFC Wimbledon (A) 3-0.
- January 1: Cheltenham Town (H) 1-0.
United’s form defied their position, as they travelled to Exeter City on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
That showed no signs of stopping over Christmas, with the U’s enjoying their only perfect festive period of the last decade.
James Constable’s double and a long-range Peter Leven strike secured the points in Devon, but United’s Boxing Day hero was the villain at Wimbledon three days later.
Luckily for the striker, his straight red card for an alleged elbow 20 minutes from time came after Sean Rigg, Alfie Potter and Tom Craddock had wrapped up victory.
They earned a third win in six days at home to Cheltenham Town, as Leven’s penalty proved enough to see off the promotion-chasers.
Peter Leven scores the only goal against Cheltenham Town Picture: Jon Lewis
Position after festive results: 13th (+6).
Where United finished: 9th (+10).
2013/14
Position on Christmas Day: 2nd.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Plymouth Argyle (H) 2-3.
- December 29: Scunthorpe United (H) 0-2.
- January 1: Newport County (A) P-P.
The U’s were second on Christmas Day, but a disappointing festive period was a sign of things to come.
An expectant crowd of 10,049 flocked to the Kassam Stadium for the Boxing Day visit of Plymouth Argyle, but Asa Hall’s strike and a Neal Trotman own goal could not prevent a 3-2 defeat.
David Kitson receives a knock from Neal Trotman in Oxford United's Boxing Day defeat to Plymouth Argyle Picture: Damian Halliwell
United lost 2-0 at home to third-placed Scunthorpe United 72 hours later, before their New Year’s Day visit to Newport County was washed out.
It was the start of a grim few months for the U’s, with Wilder resigning at the end of January and successor Gary Waddock losing all-but one of his eight games in charge.
Position after festive fixtures: 6th (-4).
Where United finished: 8th (-6).
2014/15
Position on Christmas Day: 17th.
FESTIVE RESULTS
- December 26: Shrewsbury Town (H) 0-2.
- December 28: Plymouth Argyle (A) 2-1.
- January 3: Cheltenham Town (H) 1-2.
Michael Appleton’s first season as manager contained plenty of ups and downs, as did United’s results over Christmas.
The U’s had improved since slipping to second-bottom following the 5-1 televised drubbing at Cambridge United in October, but they were no match for high-flying Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day.
United grabbed an unlikely victory two days later, as they came from behind to beat Plymouth Argyle 2-1 through John Campbell’s first goal for the club and a James Roberts wonder-strike.
James Roberts celebrates his winner at Plymouth Argyle in 2014 Picture: Jon Lewis
The tables turned on January 3, with United going ahead against Cheltenham Town through Wes Burns, only for the visitors to score twice at the end of the first half.
Position after festive fixtures: 16th (+1).
Where United finished: 13th (+4).
TOMORROW: 2015-2019
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