This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Oxford United have signed veteran wide player Matt Phillips on a free transfer following his release from West Bromwich Albion, as Des Buckingham continues to search for ways to improve his side ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The U’s have also added highly-rated young forward Malcom Ebiowei on loan until the end of the season from Crystal Palace, as the club look to enjoy a successful campaign back in the Championship after a 25-year absence.

Buckingham and his team have been utilising the free agent market heavily this summer, with Will Vaulks, Jamie Cumming, Przemyslaw Placheta and Louis Sibley all arriving at the Kassam Stadium following the expiration of their contracts with other clubs.

But is Phillips the sort of signing the club should be making? And how much will he have left to offer his new Oxford side this coming season? Football League World investigates

Oxford United fan pundit: “Plenty more to give”

FLW’s Oxford United fan pundit, Andrew Taylor, believes that Phillips is another smart piece of business by the club, who’s veteran presence and experience will play an important role in the squad going forward.

Taylor said: “Matt Phillips, another solid signing for Oxford. Proven Championship experience yet again, that will be vital for the season ahead.

“He’s even played in the Premier League, which surely will be able to help and guide the younger players such as Tyler Goodrham, who just signed a new contract.

“He’ll surely pass on his experience to him with them playing similar positions. So, much needed experience, and Malcom Ebiowei has come in as well.

“I think that may wrap up our business really, but I think we need to be in for another striker, I would say. We’ve been linked with Jamie Donley from Tottenham, I don’t know too much about him but hopefully that comes to fruition and we get him in.

“But yeah, another solid signing. 33-years old, but I’m sure he’s still got plenty more to give at this level. Experience. Solid.”

Phillips left West Brom this summer after the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to an eight-year-long affiliation with the Baggies that saw him enjoy three seasons in the Premier League with the club, whilst making over 250 appearances for them.

Snapped up by Oxford ahead of the new season getting underway, Phillips told the club website: “I’m delighted. It’s a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve had a few days of training already and I’m delighted to get started. I noticed from walking in that it’s a very tight group that’s together, which showed in getting up through the play-offs.

“I want to have another successful season with the team here and I feel like I have a lot to offer. This is an opportunity for me to come and play football and really go and do something special.

“I don’t want to put a target on things. People might write us off, but I want to prove people wrong and reach for the stars and let us see where it takes us.”

Phillips could be highly shrewd addition to Buckingham’s side

For a club whose first priority will be to ensure their Championship status is retained come the end of the season, adding a player of Phillips’ standing on a free transfer is exactly the sort of business they should be looking to do.

Despite his age, the former Scotland international was still able to prove that there is a sufficient amount of fuel left in the tank last season, having made 26 Championship appearances for West Brom last term.

Phillips also evidenced that he can still be a productive and effective wide player at second tier level too, scoring three goals and providing a further three assists across those 26 matches.

He can operate as a left wing-back or as a traditional left-winger, whilst no doubt being able to play off the right side too, providing a highly versatile option for Buckingham to call upon to fill in at practically any position on Oxford’s flanks.

This was backed up by U’s boss Buckingham, as he told the club website: “Matt is a fantastic addition to the group, and he brings lots of quality and experience to our forward line and overall team that will be highly important to us.

“After seeing Matt in training with us and then speaking with him, his strengths as a player and person were clear to see and he will add huge quality after more than a decade in the top two divisions.

“Matt has been bought in to complement our wide areas but is also comfortable across a number of positions in the forward line, and we look forward to seeing what he can bring to us on the pitch, as well as the contribution he can make as a leader in our Training Ground.”

Therefore, Phillips could well develop into a key player for the U’s in 2024/25, as being able to call upon his experience and know-how during the twists and turns a Championship season brings, could make all the difference for Oxford come May.

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