Portsmouth’s matchday 9 opponents Oxford United are put under the microscope by Pompey Live’s Kirsty Roxanne ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash at Fratton Park.
After a devastating late night thrashing on a cold Wednesday at the bet365 Stadium, John Mousinho’s side have a lot of questions to answer.
The Blues remain in 23rd with the same points as bottom of the table Cardiff City.
The next match is just around the corner as the team head back down south for an early kick-off against also fellow promoted side Oxford United.
MANAGER
Des Buckingham is in the dugout for The U’s.
He began his professional coaching career with Oxford at the age of 18, initially working through the club’s age group squads. At the start of the 2013/14 League Two season, Buckingham progressed as a coach into the first team under then-manager Chris Wilder.
He then made the move to New Zealand where he managed Wellington Phoenix as well as the New Zealand Under-20s and Under-21-s. After 2 seasons at Indian Super League club Mumbai City, he made the return to League One Oxford.
The 39-year-old led The U’s to promotion via the Play-Offs, beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the Wembley showpiece Final with both goals coming from now-Blues player Josh Murphy.
ONE TO WATCH
Idris El Mizouni is our one to watch this weekend.
The midfielder began his playing career with Ipswich Town and after having played with Leyton Orient on loan for the previous 2 seasons, he joined Oxford this summer.
Whilst at Orient, El Mizouni was awarded the Player’s Player of the Season in 2023 and earned spots in the PFA Team of the Year and EFL Team of the Season.
The U’s number 15 has 1 goal and 1 assist so far this season.
TOP SCORER
Number 9 Mark Harris is the current top goalscorer.
The Welsh international has represented Wales at Under-17, 19, 20 and 21 levels. Harris started his professional career at Cardiff City at the end of 2016.
He had loan spells at Newport County, Port Vale and Wrexham before breaking into the Cardiff first team during the 2020/21 campaign, however he was released in June 2023.
The versatile forward joined Oxford last season and scored 15 goals in 43 league games. This season he has bagged 4 goals ,which all came from his first 4 matches. Harris was named the Championship Player of the Month for August.
CURRENT FORM
After 25 years away from the second tier, The U’s have had the best start to life in the Championship compared to the Blues and the other promoted side, Derby.
They currently sit in 11th after accumulating 11 points – Buckingham’s side started the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Norwich City.
Since then they have only been defeated 3 times with their most recent game against 10-man Luton Town ending in a 2-2 draw.
Can the Blues fight back after Wednesday night’s disappointment and pick up some much needed points at PO4?
Catch all of the unmissable action on Pompey Live this Saturday (October 5th) morning from 11:30 – Jake Smith will be alongside Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson for full coverage of this Championship fixture at Fratton Park.
Kick-off: 12:30pm!