adminOxford United boss Matt Bloomfield slams Southampton tricks
Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield has criticised Southampton after raising concerns over player safety during their clash at St Mary’s Stadium.
Before kick-off, Southampton staff reportedly moved the pitchside advertising boards closer to the field, seemingly to limit the threat posed by Oxford’s long throw-ins from Myles Peart-Harris and Ciaron Brown.
Bloomfield is understood to have objected to officials prior to the match, leading to the boards being repositioned in line with regulations after measurements were taken.
Speaking after the game, Bloomfield questioned both the necessity and safety of the move.
He pointed out that Oxford could have adapted their approach regardless, noting that Brown handled the long throws due to Peart-Harris managing a back issue. However, his main concern centred on the use of rigid advertising boards, which he felt posed an unnecessary risk if players collided with them.
He stressed that while teams may seek small competitive edges, player welfare should never be compromised. Even if the likelihood of injury was low, Bloomfield argued that any avoidable danger—especially one involving hard surfaces near the pitch—was unacceptable, highlighting that players’ safety should come before tactical considerations.
During the match, both James Bree of Southampton and Stan Mills of Oxford fell into the boards, though neither suffered injury.
On the pitch, early goals from Cyle Larin and Shea Charles secured the win for Southampton, handing Oxford defeat in their first-ever visit to the ground.
The result leaves Oxford sitting 23rd in the Championship table, level on points but behind on goal difference, and just one point away from safety.
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