Oxford United's pre-season games - five observations

The U’s won three, drew three – that is counting the Peterborough United friendly as two matches – and lost one of their first-team games.

They scored 21 goals, conceded 11 and at one stage had 13 players out injured or self-isolating.

The Covid disruption has stopped us learning as much as we might have from the last three weeks, but here are five observations from United’s friendlies.

Another full back needed?

Karl Robinson told us this week he may still go after another left back and this makes sense.

Karl Robinson: Oxford United's transfer business isn't over

Steve Seddon has started well and was especially good against Bristol Rovers, not just because of his goal.

The 23-year-old is almost like a second left winger when United have the ball, especially when the man in front of him comes inside – as Nathan Holland did against Rovers.

Jordan Thorniley can play left back, but he will surely start the season alongside Elliott Moore in the middle.

Signing a back-up to Seddon would give United insurance in that position, especially if the new arrival could operate on both flanks.

Anthony Forde was typically reliable during Sam Long’s absence, but bringing in a versatile full-back would allow the Irishman to be an option higher up the pitch.

Sykes looking sharp

Mark Sykes ended 2020/21 in great form and picked up where he left off in pre-season.

The Irishman, 24 today, saw plenty of the ball in every game he played, operating in one of the two advanced midfield roles.

Sykes seemed full of confidence and regularly dropped deep to receive possession from the centre backs.

It was good to see him score from the penalty spot against Peterborough, too, as he knows as well as anyone it is an area he must improve.

Sykes is competing with (at least) James Henry, Marcus McGuane and probably Cameron Brannagan – if the latter is used further forward this season – in midfield and it is hard to leave out any of those four.

But if he starts finding the net, it will be tough to keep him out.

Williams seems a shrewd signing

He was one of the less-heralded summer arrivals, but Ryan Williams could prove a very useful asset for United.

The 27-year-old has bags of experience at this level and his teammates have already noted his high fitness levels in interviews.

That has been apparent in the friendlies the Australian has been involved in, where there has often been an end-product to match his work-rate.

Match report: Gavin Whyte scores as Oxford United draw with Barnet

After Gavin Whyte and Holland signed, there was an assumption they would be first-choice either side of Matty Taylor.

But Williams brings something different and it would not be surprising to see him start more often than not this season.

More goals from midfield

Of United’s 21 goals in first-team friendlies, only three came from midfield – and just one of those was in open play.

That was James Henry’s strike at Rovers last Saturday, after the U’s won the ball deep in their opponents’ half.

United did not score enough goals from midfield last season and there were times when Taylor was isolated up front.

But in the games where they were at their best, the U’s pressed high and runners got themselves into scoring positions.

Henry did that at The Memorial Stadium, but we need to see more of it – starting at Cambridge United on Saturday.

The future’s bright

One man’s misfortune can be another man’s opportunity. Multiply that by 12, and you are giving a lot of people the chance to shine.

Match report: Oxford United Under 19s beat Thame United 5-2

It is a relief to see the dozen U’s players who had to self-isolate all back again, but their absence ended up showcasing the next generation.

We knew a little bit about Tyler Goodrham and Gatlin O’Donkor, both of whom impressed with some classy and clinical goals respectively.

But 16-year-old midfielder Josh Johnson, who only began his scholarship last month, was not overawed when called-up to the first-team.

Robinson called the teenager ‘exceptional’ after his performance against Peterborough playmaker Sammie Szmodics, among the top performers in League One last season.

Plenty more United youngsters could be singled out for praise here, which shows the strength in depth in the club’s age-group sides.