, Do Oxford United Need More Players?

Do Oxford United Need More Players?

Michael Appleton has made five additions to his squad at Oxford, snapping up Kemar Roofe, Liam Sercombe, Ryan Taylor, Sam Slocombe and George Baldock. However Appleton has now revealed to BBC Oxford Sport that no new players will arrive before the season starts. Is there enough depth in the team to compete at the top of League Two next season?

Last season was very tough for Michael Appleton and Oxford United. Many things were learnt over the course of the campaign and it has been pleasing to see he has changed and converged his methods, as a result of last season’s frustrating mediocrity in the league. Quality players have been attracted to the club over the summer. Many people would have expected Kemar Roofe and George Baldock to join a club much higher up the football pyramid but were clearly swayed by the hierarchy’s ambition. He has also promised a small squad, after a silly amount of loan signings coming and going last season. However, at the moment I think United’s squad is too small.

The famous saying is ‘quality rather than quantity’ however I am really not sure that phrase fully applies to football. You need good players but you also need decent back ups in case the first team options become unavailable. Do Oxford United currently have that? I don’t think so. At the risk of sounding like Alan Hansen in 1995, I highly doubt that Oxford will be able to mount a serious promotion push with the large number of kids we have as back ups. United need some experienced players to fill in if injuries hit. Some supporters are calling for the return of former winger Chris Hackett, who is currently transfer-listed at Northampton Town and in my opinion would be a good signing.

I am not saying that Oxford shouldn’t have young players in their squad, that would be ridiculous with the amount of promising youngsters coming through the ranks at the club. I think that you need a good balance, something that at the moment the U’s currently lack. I hope this is a good season for the Yellows and have no doubt it will be an improvement on last season but I think they would have a much better chance if a few more experienced players were added.

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