This weekend unbeaten Bradford City make the lengthy trip down to Oxford to take on the U’s in what should prove to be another thrilling League One match up. Despite making the transition from League Two only last year, after finishing runners-up behind champions Northampton Town, Oxford United are capable of playing some nice, passing football and have picked up some big wins this season so far.
It was business as usual last weekend as Bradford City picked up another win, this time at Valley Parade at the expense of Shrewsbury Town, and remained unbeaten in their League One campaign to date. Despite a spirited second half display from visitors Shrewsbury, the Bantams ran out comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to a first half strike from Nicky Law and a late, late penalty from loan star Haris Vuckic after Daniel Devine was brought down clumsily in the box.
The win maintained the Bantams unbeaten start to the League One season and in the process further highlighted that under Stuart McCall the team have that grit, determination and spirit needed to grind out wins when a match is fairly even. The Shrews on Saturday played well and were hard to break down despite our early domination and possession but the lads found a way to break through and showed that steely determination to see out the three points to push us up into second place in the league table. It was the sort of performance top teams put in to pick up wins when they aren’t playing their best.
Again this week there are no new injury concerns for Stuart McCall and his coaching staff as the Bantams are close to full fitness. With the exception of right-back Tony McMahon who is still struggling to be fully fit, the squad is at full strength for the trip to Oxford United and the Kassam Stadium for Saturdays 15:00 kick off.
Oxford United will prove to be tough opposition come Saturday afternoon though. For me, the U’s are one of the better teams in this league and if they hadn’t have lost star striker Kemar Roofe to L***s in the summer, would be right up there come May and the end of the League One season. Oxford United also suffered with the departures of young winger Callum O’Dowda to Championship side Bristol City and of Jake Wrights, a Bradford City youngster, who joined Sheffield United in the summer on a two-year deal despite been the U’s captain and longest serving player.
Despite that manager Michael Appleton has re-built well since. The capture of winger Marvin Johnson from Scottish outfit Motherwell was a shrewd move whilst the loan signings of Everton youngster Ryan Ledson and Arsenal youngster Dan Crowley show their ambition to develop youth and to add exciting young players to their squad.
Now captain and fan favourite Jon Lundstram, still only 22, is Oxford United’s stand out player in my opinion. A driving force in the heart of the midfield, Lundstram can both defend well and move forward effectively with great passing and movement. Strikers Chris Maguire and Wes Thomas will prove to be dangerous going forward on Saturday afternoon too and will need to be marshalled well by the Bradford City defence.
Despite a recent poor performance from Oxford on Sky Sports against AFC Wimbledon where they lost 3-1 at home, the U’s are a strong team in this league and are more than capable of grabbing the win on Saturday afternoon. Once again the Bantams will have to put in a top performance to claim anything from yet another tricky away day.
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