adminBloomfield praises Oxford United after Bristol City point
Bloomfield Praises Oxford United Display After Goalless Draw With Bristol City
New Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield felt his side were unfortunate not to claim all three points after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bristol City at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday.
The U’s were unable to find a breakthrough in Bloomfield’s first match in charge, despite finishing strongly and creating late opportunities.
Stan Mills and Ciaron Brown both went close in the closing moments, only to be denied as Oxford applied sustained pressure right up until the final whistle.
Reflecting on the contest, Bloomfield was adamant his team had done enough to win the game. “We definitely could have won it,” he said. “I thought we were excellent.
In the second half we created numerous chances, we had the momentum, and it really felt like it was only a matter of time before we found the goal that would put us in front.
“We’ve come close so many times, but unfortunately it just wasn’t quite to be for us today.”
The Oxford boss was particularly pleased with his players’ attitude and intensity, as well as the unity between the team and the supporters. He was keen to thank the home crowd for the role they played, especially after the break.
“In terms of performance and endeavour, and that all-in-together feeling with our supporters, I have to say thank you to them for the welcome and the atmosphere they created in the second half,” Bloomfield added. “When you’re attacking that end, I know what it’s like as an away player. Oxford attacking that end can be a real challenge, so thank you to them for their support.”
One major positive from the stalemate was a long-awaited clean sheet. It was Oxford’s first shutout since their 1-0 home victory over Derby County back in October, and Bloomfield believes that defensive solidity must now be built upon.
“There are lots of good things to take from it,” he said. “A clean sheet, our first in a long time, is really important. We have to hold onto that and keep producing more clean sheets if we’re going to get the wins we need between now and the end of the season.”
The frustration, however, was clear given the quality of chances Oxford created in stoppage time. Bloomfield felt that, on another day, those moments would have delivered the winning goal.
“In the 92nd and 93rd minute, if you create two big chances like that, more often than not the game goes your way,” he explained. “It’s obviously really frustrating for us that it didn’t quite happen today.”
Bloomfield also highlighted the strength of the opposition, praising Bristol City for their recent form while commending his own side for keeping them largely quiet.
“Bristol City are a team who have been in really good form,” he said. “They’re a very Championship team and they’ve been scoring goals freely in recent weeks, but we limited them to very little.”
While acknowledging that a point against a strong Robins side is not to be dismissed, Bloomfield admitted there was a sense of disappointment within the camp due to Oxford’s dominance.
“Against a good Bristol City team, a point isn’t something to sneer at,” he said. “But when you’ve been the better team, there’s naturally disappointment that we couldn’t capitalise.”
The new head coach reserved special praise for his players, insisting their efforts throughout the week deserved greater reward.
“The way the players have worked this week, they deserved to win today,” Bloomfield stated. “I’m really disappointed for them that they haven’t got something to celebrate, because from Monday morning through to Friday afternoon they’ve been excellent.”
Despite the frustration, Bloomfield stressed that there were plenty of positives to take into the next phase of the season.
“We’re not going to get carried away,” he concluded. “But there were lots of encouraging signs today that we want to take forward.
The only way to win matches as a football club is to be all in together, and we have to earn the right to win these games.”
admin
