After a surprise play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers, which followed a win over two legs against Peterborough United, Oxford United will be be plying their trade in the Championship for the first time in the 21st century.
Due to the manner of their promotion, they’ll be many pundits’ favourites for relegation, but will want to once again utilise their underdog mentality to prove doubters wrong. It could be considered a surprise promotion given how the U’s finished in 19th the season prior, but they’ve endured quite the turnaround.
Former manager Liam Manning would have the side in the top two prior to joining Championship outfit Bristol City and although they would have some rough patches under Des Buckingham, the latter would manage to finish the job off.
Plenty will need to be done this off season if the U’s want to be competitive in the second tier, with their budget being one of the lowest in the league. Although Buckingham, his players and fans alike will all still be basking in promotion glory, the focus has already shifted to next season.
It’s a given that the Oxfordshire side need to improve the squad now upped in class and the Championship is very much a different ball game. Nonetheless, a plan already seems to be forming with how they’ll attack the transfer window.
Knowing that they cannot contend with rival clubs’ budgets, they therefore must be smart with how they go about their business. They’ll no doubt be looking to utilised the loan market as well as bringing in some young and up-and-coming players, to give themselves the best chance of survival.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, club chairman Grant Ferguson outlined the direction in which the club would go in regarding their business this summer.
“Ed’s [Waldron, head of recruitment] got a busy summer ahead, but Ed being Ed, he started on two different scenarios weeks ago.
“He’s got a very clear idea as the type of player we want. I don’t think we’re looking for a marquee signing. We’re looking for a number of very, very good singings.
“We need a combination of experience that will then leverage against young, high-quality players. What we’ll do is go for the very best young players and take them with us on the journey.”
A good quantity of decent signings should stand the club in a far better stead than just targeting one huge signing. The U’s will be hoping that their strategy will work and help them to secure their status in the second tier.
Writer’s View
It’s not harsh to say that Oxford look up against it going into the Championship. As with any side who goes up via the play-offs, they’re always slightly behind their competitors but it’s unknown how competitive the club can be given their budget.
Nonetheless, a plan is obviously in place and they seem to be going about their business in the right way. With the vast majority of their squad unproven in the second tier, experience is needed but could potentially come at a cost.
The club have previously been successful at utilising the loan market and they’ll very much be expected to do just that once again.
