Oxford United lost yet against as Des Buckingham’s side fell to a 3-1 defeat at home against Sheffield Wednesday.

The U’s took the lead through Greg Leigh but conceded before the break, and the visitors added two more after the restart.

Here are three talking points from the game.

Oxford United Lose Against Sheffield Wednesday

First Half Chances and Attacking Trio

The old cliché came into play again as this was certainly a tale of two halves. Oxford United will be pleased with their first half display and took a deserved lead through Greg Leigh.

Idris El Mizouni saw an effort well saved by former U’s goalkeeper, James Beadle, before Dane Scarlett rounded the Englishman but took the ball too wide before seeing his attempt blocked. Owen Dale also broke clear but Beadle won the one-on-one battle.

As for the front three, Dale, Scarlett and Tyler Goodrham were all in fine form and looked lively, but eventually ran out of steam towards the latter stages.

Another Poor Second Half for Oxford United

Despite their decent first half display, the U’s lacked energy and creativity after the restart, much like during the midweek defeat at QPR.

It certainly didn’t help that Wednesday netted shortly after the restart, but that intensity from the opening 45 quickly diminished.

Buckingham needs to get his side playing with the same rhythm across the 90 otherwise this relegation battle could take a turn for the worse.

Defensive Mistakes and Balls Not Bouncing

Despite taking the lead, Oxford had themselves to blame, along with bad luck at times, when it came to the goals they conceded.

For the first, Josh Windass was completely unmarked in the box from a corner as the ball bounced straight to him to tap home.

For the second, the U’s defence cleared the ball but it ricocheted off Cameron Brannagan and into the path of the Wednesday man to prod home.

There was nothing Oxford could do about the third, with the ball rifled home from the edge of the box.

Despite that, it wasn’t a bad display from the Oxford defence, but for a mistake that was punished and a ball that bounced the wrong way.