Powered by Ecotricity
Forest Green Rovers
    Cart

The Opposition: Oxford United (H)

All you need to know about the Yellows

April 27th 2023FGR Media

We welcome Oxford United to The Bolt New Lawn on Saturday for our final home game of the season. There is plenty going on at the stadium this Saturday, with our Under-16s Girls taking on Oxford Under-16s Girls on the pitch at 6pm.

However, it's the men's first-team game first up - so here's everything you need to know about the Yellows ahead of the weekend's clash.

Paragraph Break

IN THE DUGOUT: LIAM MANNING

Appointed as Yellows boss last month, Manning picked up his first win against Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night. The victory was Oxford's first since January - and could go a long way to ensuring their League One status for next season.

Liam Manning

Manning replaced Karl Robinson in March after the long-serving Liverpudlian was sacked after a string of poor results, which saw the Yellows flirting with relegation. The 37-year-old has made Oxford tough to beat in his eight games in charge; they've lost twice, but they've also won just once. They have only conceded more than one goal in a game on one occasion.

His task this year is to keep Oxford in the division, but they will have bigger ambitions for the next campaign. Manning led MK Dons to a surprise third-placed finish in League One last term, before he was sacked in December.

ONE TO WATCH: CIARON BROWN

Having started almost every game for the Yellows this season, plenty of Oxford supporters believe versatile defender Brown should be their Player of the Season.

He has been a consistent performer this campaign, whether that's on the left side of a back four or in the middle of a back four. Capped six times by the Northern Ireland national team, Brown spent the second half of last season on loan from Cardiff City, before making his switch to the Kassam Stadium permanent in the summer.

Ciaron Brown

Only goalkeeper Simon Eastwood and talisman Cameron Brannagan have played more minutes for Oxford this season than Brown.

FORM: WLDLD

25/04/23 - Oxford United 4-0 Cheltenham Town

22/04/23 - Barnsley 2-0 Oxford United

18/04/23 - Oxford United 1-1 Portsmouth

15/04/23 - Oxford United 0-1 Bolton Wanderers

10/04/23 - Port Vale 0-0 Oxford United

LAST TIME WE MET

Rovers secured a hard-earned point at the Kassam Stadium back in November, with club legend Jamille Matt bagging his first League One goal for FGR.

Jamille Matt

Forced to deal with a catalogue of injuries, Rovers named just four outfield subs for this game, but still managed to claim a point in Oxfordshire.

James Henry gave the hosts the lead with a scrappy goal in the 19th minute, which deflected off Harry Boyes. Rovers created chances throughout the game - and Connor Wickham was denied by a fantastic Eastwood stop later in the first half.

However, Matt grabbed an equaliser on the hour mark, nodding home Corey O'Keeffe's deep cross towards the back post.

End Stop

Partners
EcotricityCaptain Paul Watson FoundationUmbroCandriamQuornDPDDAZN
OatlyEESIGrundonGo Upadi.tvBrewdogVanarama National League
Join the official forumof the world's greenest football clubForum
FGR
@FGRFC_Official
#WeAreFGR
Join the conversation
The New Lawn, Nailsworth, GL6 0FG
  • Careers
  • Club Charter
  • Contact
  • Forum
  • Policies
  • Terms & Conditions