Football Season Guide

The Championship

England

The Championship

2024/2025

Oxford United

In

Peter Kioso (def) Rotherham; Jack Currie (def) AFC Wimbledon; Idriz El Mizouni (mid) Ipswich Town; Louie Sibley (mid) Derby County; Przemyslaw Placheta (att) Swansea City; Jamie Cumming (gk) Chelsea; Will Vaulks (mid) sheffield Wednesday; Jacob Knightbridge (gk) West Ham; Matt Ingram (gk) Hull City; Ed McGinty (gk) Sligo Rovers; Matt Phillips (mid), West Brom; Malcolm Ebiowei (att) Crystal Palace, loan.

Out

Jacob Knightbridge (gk) Braintree, loan; Josh Murphy (sp) (att) Portsmouth; Oisyn Smith (sp) (att) St. Mirren; Stephan Negru (def) Salford City, loan; Billy Bodin (r) (mid) Burton Albion; Steve Seddon (sp) (def) Released; Marcus Browne (r) (mid) Released; James Henry (sp) (att) Released; Tyler Burey (sp) (att) Odense BK, loan.

Oxford United were excellent last season, fighting hard and securing a place in the League One play-offs. They'd earn promotion by beating Peterborough and Bolton Wanderers. Have strengthened their squad with Championship quality players like Kioso, Sibley, Phillips and El Mizouni. Strengthened their goalkeeper department significantly by bringing back Cumming and great depth in between the sticks. Have brought in genuine competition for starting berth. Competition for places will be high in numerous positions. Have stern defence with likes of Moore. Leigh and Bennett forming a solid back line. Midfield also strong. Have great depth in that area. Tied key man Brannagan down to new contract. Fantastic news as he easily could have moved to a bigger club. Managed to keep key core of squad together despite promotion. Have added great quality to squad during transfer window. Adjusting to playing at higher level could be a possible weakness. Could take dressing room time to feel comfortable in the Championship. Were inconsistent at times last term. Could also be an issue in a division up.

Target

Avoid relegation. Plain and simple. Manager Buckingham will be hoping to keep the positive momentum flowing by securing Oxford United's status as a Championship club for at least another season. Anything higher would be unfair.