Oxford United boss Des Buckingham has given an update into his plans for the January transfer window.
Having joined the club in mid-November following former-manager Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City, the January window will be Buckingham’s first chance to get the players that he wants into the club.
Oxford have been one of the busier sides in the third tier so far this transfer window, and have been quick to replace outgoing players.
Perhaps most notably was the loss of goalkeeper James Beadle who was recalled by parent club Brighton & Hove Albion, to then be loaned to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. At just 19 years of age, Beadle has bundles of potential and Brighton believed that his growth would accelerate with a move to the Championship rather than a full season with the U’s.
Buckingham was however quick to find a replacement, with the club announcing the signing of goalkeeper Jamie Cumming on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season. Despite never appearing for the Premier League outfit, Cumming does have over 150 senior appearances to his name and is still relatively young for goalkeeper at 24 years of age.
The signing represents a good bit of business by the U’s which will certainly not be their last this window. With his side currently sat in the play-off places, Buckingham will be looking to further strengthen in order to be in the mix come the end of the season.
However the manager is also cautious about the current depth of the squad and has stated that he cannot afford to lose anyone else until some new names arrive at the Kassam Stadium.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Buckingham outlined his plans for the rest of the window.
“We’re trying as much as we can to bring in the players we feel that we need firstly.
“Before anybody goes out, we need to make sure we have in the building what we want and what we need.
“We still feel there’s a few more that we want to bring in, that will allow us to not only be strong now, but that we finish strongly as well. There’s still an expectation that we bring some in, and then if that happens, there may be some that go out.
“Until we’re clear on what that looks like coming in, we need those players in the building to contribute to what we’re doing right now.”
Writer’s View
Very few would’ve predicted Oxford to be sat in fifth this far into the season, especially after Liam Manning left the club. Despite a slow start under Buckingham his side look back to their best, albeit they are struggling to put consecutive wins together at the minute.
A place in the play-offs would be a huge achievement for the club given the teams around them, however they may face an uphill task in keeping that spot with those said teams around them strengthening this window. Adding some depth to an already strong squad could keep the side in the top-six and Buckingham is obviously going about the right way about his business in the transfer window.
Senior Editor
