Having won just four Championship games in the first half of last season, Oxford were staring at an immediate return to League One. But they appointed the experienced Rowett - who had managed Millwall, Birmingham City, Derby County and Stoke City in the second tier - with the aim of securing Championship survival. But despite keeping a large chunk of their squad this season, Oxford have struggled - their tally of 22 goals scored is the fourth-worst in the division with on-loan 20-year-old Tottenham striker Will Lanskhear their top scorer with five goals. They lost their opening three league games this season and were thrashed 6-0 at home by Premier League side Brighton in the second round of the Carabao Cup during a difficult August. It took until 21 September to get their first league win - a 3-1 victory at Bristol City - but they won just three more games under Rowett, the last a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town on 28 November.

Source: BBC December 23, 2025 15:31 UTC