Oxford United

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Matt Bloomfield claims his Oxford United players have given everything in their unsuccessful fight to avoid relegation from the Championship.

Oxford's fate was already confirmed before they lost 2-0 at Millwall in their final game and Bloomfield took 25 points from his 21 games after taking over in January.

He thanked the players and told BBC Radio Oxford: "I think we were up against a very, very good team who showed in every element of their performance why they are where they are and why they have the chance of getting into the Premier League.

"I thought we were not at our best, but considering the surroundings of the game it was always going to be a difficult game for us and that proved to be true.

"Our supporters have been incredible. They are amazing group, we can all see how much pride they take in their football club, our guys are amazing, so a massive thank you to them.

"The players care a lot, they've given us everything I believe that over the last four months since I've been in the building, we're so terribly disappointed to come up short, but I don't think that's through a lack of effort.

"I think everyone's given it everything they've got and unfortunately for us we've not quite had enough to stay in the division."

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Millwall's promotion destiny will be decided when they welcome already-relegated Oxford United to The Den for the Championship season finale on Saturday (12:30 BST).

After being held at Leicester last Friday, the Lions now lie a point behind Ipswich, who occupy the second automatic promotion place.

Alex Neil's men need a win, coupled with Town failing to beat QPR at Portman Road, to secure promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

If Ipswich win, three points for the Lions would still seal third place and home advantage in the play-offs.

Oxford's return to League One after two seasons in the Championship was sealed last Saturday, despite a home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

• Millwall are winless in four league meetings with Oxford United (D2 L2), this after winning six in a row beforehand.

• Oxford United have won both of their past two league visits to Millwall – the only time they have ever won twice in a row away to the Lions.

• Millwall have lost their final league game in four of the past five seasons, winning the other 1-0 at Swansea in 2023-24.

• Oxford United have won their final league game in five of their past seven second-tier seasons (D1 L1), although drew 3-3 with Swansea on the final day last season.

• Millwall have won 23 Championship games this season – it's their most at this level since they won 25 games in 1987-88 en route to winning the title.

"The thing I did take from the statement was that there was a focus on strengthening over the summer, it was about building a competitive squad to challenge for promotion in League One now.

"Just because you've gone down from the Championship, doesn't necessarily follow that you're going to walk away with it next season."

The Dub team discuss the disappointment of Oxford's relegation, who will stay and who will go, and what chairman Grant Ferguson's statement tells us about the future of the club in League One.

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Oxford United striker Will Lankshear said his final home game for the club was a "bittersweet" occasion after scoring twice in a 4-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday.

The club had already been relegated before kick-off with other results going against them, though it did not discourage them on the pitch as they produced a convincing display to beat the Owls.

Lankshear, who spent the season on loan at the Kassam Stadium from Tottenham Hotspur, took his league goal tally for the season to 11.

"Really disappointed with the results coming in before the game, but I think the lads were outstanding and the attitudes shown," the 21-year-old, who won the club's young player of the year award, told BBC Radio Oxford.

"I think it's harsh. I think we've been a good side this year. I think we've competed in every single game, so it's extremely disappointing.

"But we have to move on and the crowd here supporting us until the very end - they've been outstanding all season.

"For me, I would say I'm sorry for not doing more. But it's such a beautiful club and it makes me emotional even talking about it."

Lankshear said he was "extremely grateful" for the opportunity to play for the club.

"Every time I step on to the pitch in the Championship, it's an absolute blessing. I never believed I'd be here.

"I'll go into the last game and give it my absolute all to see off the season."

Oxford visit promotion-chasing Millwall in their final game of the campaign and could still reach the 50-point mark despite going down.

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Oxford United chairman Grant Ferguson has told fans that the club are determined to learn from their relegation and challenge for promotion from League One next season.

The drop from the Championship was confirmed on Saturday, when fellow strugglers Charlton secured a draw against Hull.

It ended Oxford's two-year stay in the second tier.

In a message to fans on the club's website, Ferguson thanked them for their support and said relegation was "hugely disappointing" but insisted: "This football club will not be defined by one single season."

He added: "Our time in the division has taught us a lot about what it takes to be here and where we are as a club.

"It has also helped drive progress behind the scenes, with important steps taken that leave us better prepared for what comes next.

"Now, our focus is on how we respond. We will regroup quickly, make improvements and approach the summer with clarity and purpose.

"We will continue to strengthen to attack League One next season and build a team which can challenge for promotion. We recognise what is required and will act accordingly."

After Tuesday's home defeat to Wrexham and Blackburn's win on Wednesday, Oxford are six points adrift of Charlton Athletic with two games to play and a slightly worse goal difference.

Rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST), although Charlton have the opportunity to ensure their own survival before that game even kicks-off with a home game against Hull City at 12:30 BST.

Here are a selection of your responses:

John: There is always hope. Whatever the result, Matt Bloomfield has been a breath of fresh air and created a team which is 'in' games now and playing much better football. It might be too late to avoid relegation but I'm excited for him and Oxford in League One.

Rob: I'm quietly confident that it will go to the final games. Charlton have lost their past four home games to Bristol City, Preston, Norwich and Ipswich so hopefully that trend will continue on Saturday lunchtime against Hull.

I think we will beat Sheffield Wednesday in the afternoon as well. We are certainly capable of winning at Millwall on the final day and Swansea will hopefully beat Charlton too. It's all up for grabs!

Sam: It's the most wafer thin of wafer thin slices of a chance. If Oxford pull off two wins then they deserve to stay up, but, after the performance against Wrexham I feel we're looking at a team that's all but given up.

I think Bloomfield was the right man for the job, I think he's done brilliantly, but if I pop on my tin foil hat, I think he got the job because he will do us well in League One.

Sue: We should never have appointed Gary Rowett he has now proved it with his failed attempt to save a big club like Leicester. I hope that the true Oxford supporters will get behind the team whether Charlton win or lose.

Alan: Where there's life, there's hope; but being brutally honest we've not ever really looked like a Championship side - most other teams have looked stronger, fitter, better organised and technically superior.

It's been a wild two years and I'll miss being in the big leagues, but here's to a season of consolidation, rediscovering how to pass the ball, and winning a few more games.

Andy S: It was always going to be a struggle to stay up this season and we need a miracle against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall to stay up, even if Charlton to lose both games, not sure I can see it happening.

We're probably more a League One-level club at the moment but come the new stadium, who knows? Brighter times ahead I hope.

Derek: Sadly a little too late, we are too good to go down but results didn't go our way. Portsmouth a typical example, we should have picked up three points. We will be in the mix to come back up next season.

Jonathan: Hopelessly positive despite all evidence pointing clearly to relegation; at least we've battled, the players have done us proud and we have put ourselves in a position where something might be possible on the final day! As they say, it's the hope...

It's been a tough week for Oxford United fans.

Back-to-back one-nil defeats at Derby on Saturday and then at home to Wrexham on Tuesday have left the U's on the brink of relegation to League One after two seasons in the Championship.

West Brom, Portsmouth and crucially Blackburn, on Wednesday night, have all picked up points in that period and have ensured their safety.

We're down to a two-horse race between Oxford and Charlton for the final relegation place.

Matt Bloomfield's men need to beat Sheffield Wednesday at the Kassam on Saturday (15:00 BST) and also win at promotion-chasing Millwall on the final day and must hope the Addicks lose their final two games, at home to Hull City on Saturday (12:30 BST) and at Swansea on 2 May.

How are you feeling, U's fans? Do you have any hope remaining? What would the mood be like at 3pm on Saturday should Charlton lose in the early-kick-off?

Click here to have your say.

Oxford United club captain and midfielder Cameron Brannagan has said his side want to take "every single point" left available this season.

The U's are in a tricky position with three games remaining, currently 22nd in the Championship table and are five points below Blackburn Rovers having played a game less.

They were narrowly beaten by Derby on Saturday and host Wrexham on Tuesday before games against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.

"We have to brush ourselves down and go again," Brannagan told BBC Radio Oxford.

"We have a big game Tuesday, three games left and we want to go and try and win every single one of them.

"There's nine points to play for and we want to take every single point. The fans got behind us the whole game and didn't stop even at the end.

"I'm sure the Kassam is going to be rocking on Tuesday and we're going to need every single one of them - it's another massive game."

If Oxford were to lose or draw on Tuesday against Wrexham then they could face relegation if results go against them in midweek for Blackburn, West Bromwich Albion, Charlton and Portsmouth.

But a win for Matt Bloomfield's side would ensure that cannot happen until at least the weekend.

Image source, Opta

Oxford United welcome Wrexham to the Kassam on Tuesday night (19:45 BST) for a game with huge implications in both the relegation battle and the play-off race.

After Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Derby the U's are five points from safety with three games to go and Matt Bloomfield's men could be relegated to League One as soon as Wednesday night, should they lose to Wrexham while Blackburn and West Brom pick up wins and Charlton avoid defeat.

The Red Dragons lie seventh, two points behind Hull City in the final play-off spot, and with a slightly better goal difference, having beaten Stoke 2-0 at the Stok Cae Ras last time out.

• Oxford have lost each of their past four home league games against Wrexham, with this the first time they're hosting them since November 2005 (0-3).

• Wrexham are unbeaten in their past 13 Football League games against Oxford United (W10 D3), their joint-longest run against a single side in their history (also 13 vs New Brighton between 1930 and 1936).

• Oxford are unbeaten in their past five home league games (W3 D2), picking up as many wins in that time as in their first 16 matches of 2025-26 (D6 L7).

• Wrexham, who failed to score in their last away league game at Birmingham (losing 2-0), have only once this season gone successive league matches on the road without scoring, doing so against Portsmouth and Ipswich in November in consecutive goalless draws.

• Just three of Oxford's past nine home league goals have come from open play, with them also scoring two from corners, two from free kicks and two penalties.

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Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield spoke to BBC Radio Oxford following Saturday's defeat at Derby County.

"Arguably, we had the three best chances of the game – two breakaways and a great chance right at the end," he said.

"I was really disappointed with how we played in the first half and it was nowhere near good enough.

"By the end of the game, with our intensity, the way we played and the chances we created, it was very frustrating because it is a clear illustration that that if you take your chances you get the points.

"We haven't got the time to rest on it [the loss], it's done now and we have to move on very quickly to Tuesday evening and make sure that the intensity and the energy we had in the second half is there from the first whistle."