Reflections on a Free Weekend

This weekend raises something of a dilemma. While many of our League Two rivals turn their attention to Cup action, we're left with a blank week. Morale is understandably low after five defeats on the bounce and some of the more reactionary elements among the support have begun to embarrass us all (further examples here and here). The enforced break from competitive first team football does, however, give us a chance to take stock of what has gone wrong over recent weeks and perhaps allow some time to recover from that awkward knee-jerking.

What the Stats Say...Cheltenham

This weekend sees Cheltenham make the short trip down the A40 to contest the 'Cotswold Derby' (apparently) and look likely to bring a large following...for Cheltenham, anyway. Matt Peck is on hand to examine the relatively short Football League history between the two sides and to compare Cheltenham's frighteningly impressive form to our own.

The TBFUTH Christmas Shopping Guide

With Christmas just a month away now the time for giving is upon us (and by that I'm not referring to the way our defence gifted Crawley four goals on Saturday), which means one thing: the Christmas shopping season has begun. Christmas offers football clubs and merchandisers plenty of opportunity to offload their tat on unsuspecting football fans, so expect to see all manner of club-branded nonsense in stores over the coming weeks. So, for the benefit of those of you lucky enough to be buying for an avid Oxford fan, we thought we'd make things easier for you by producing this simple guide of essential OUFC purchases this Christmas, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

What the Stats Say...Crawley

Following a terrible week which saw Oxford lose to Southend twice and then get dumped out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United, the tough prospect of a trip to second-placed Crawley now beckons. However, this week's events (i.e. the return of Robert Hall) mean that the mood amongst Oxford fans is surprisingly upbeat. That optimism will be further buoyed by a quick read of Matt Peck's latest stats package, which reveals Oxford's impressive record at the Broadfield Stadium.

The All-Important Final Piece

Oxford fans awoke to good news yesterday, with reports that West Ham wonderkid Rob Hall has returned to Oxford on loan for a further month. In fact, it’s difficult to overstate how important he has been to us already this season. After 3 defeats in a row, news of Robbie’s return has immediately lifted spirits ahead of a difficult trip to Crawley, but most promising is that his return is “with a view to a longer stay”. If Hall’s services can be secured for the rest of the season, he could just be the final piece required to make a sustained tilt at automatic promotion this year.

What the Stats Say...Sheffield United

Four-times FA Cup winners Sheffield United, of League One, host no-times FA Cup winners Oxford, of League Two, this weekend at Bramall Lane for an FA Cup 1^st round fixture – the first time the clubs have met in an FA Cup fixture. The yellows make their second trip to Sheffield this season (the first coming on the opening day of the season to Rotherham's temporary home at the Don Valley Stadium) hoping to cause something of a cup upset. Regular contributor Matt Peck brings us the lowdown on the clubs' respective FA Cup records.

Wilder at the Blades

Oxford face a trip to Sheffield this weekend for an FA Cup fixture against Sheffield United and it's a match that will have particular significance to Chris Wilder, Blades fan and former player. In light of this, Ian Rands, Sheffield United supporter and creator of A United View on Football, gives us his insight on Wilder the footballer from his time at Bramall Lane.

Andy Whing: Oxford's Utility Player

Now on TBFUTH we cast an eye over the much-maligned Andy Whing. Whing has so far attracted the ire of the Kassam's boo boys, but is he just misunderstood? Instead of moaning at him because he's different to what we're used to, or because he is a less attack-minded full-back, perhaps we should instead look at what he can bring to the team and focus on some of his unique attributes. Could the slow, steady and so far misunderstood defensive big boy go on to become a key squad member over the course of the season?

What the Stats Say...Southend (JPT)

Oxford face Southend again, as the Shrimpers visit for a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie just days after their league clash which saw Southend take a two-point lead at the top of the table. Southend are now 9 points ahead of the Us in the league, but after being thoroughly outplayed on Saturday they will arrive at the Kassam with a battle on their hands. They do, however, have a far superior record in this competition, though this will be the first meeting between the two sides in the Football League Trophy, due in no small part to Oxford's abysmal record in it, as Matt Peck reveals.

What the Stats Say...Southend

Oxford visit Roots Hall to take on Southend this weekend, before welcoming the Shrimpers as guests to the Kassam Stadium just days later for a Johnstone's Paint Trophy match. Ahead of this double-header, Matt Peck examines the records as United attempt to topple the form team at the start of a very tough sequence of matches.

Great Form, Crap Fixtures

Six matches into the season we examined Oxford's form so far and concluded that we hadn't yet seen significant signs of improvement compared to last season. After sixteen matches, the picture looks rather different; United are currently placed 4^th in the table with 29 points, while at the same point last season we were 18^th with 17 points and in the midst of a run of five straight defeats. With the side in impressive form of late, have we found the winning formula that will steer us to promotion this season?