admin20-year-old playing a surprising key role in relegation fight for Oxford United
Oxford United signed Yunus Konak on loan in January, and the midfielder is making a strong impact in their fight for survival.
Oxford United picked up a crucial win in their latest league game to keep their survival hopes alive. The U’s currently sit 22nd in the table, with just one point separating them from escaping the bottom three.
Matt Bloomfield’s side have only lost twice in their last 10 games, and they are showing true grit to avoid relegation to League One. Their business during the January transfer window has particularly helped, and some of the new arrivals are having a great impact in the second half of the term.
Eight players arrived at the Kassam Stadium during the last window, with half of them being loans. It’s been Yunus Konak who has stood out from the rest, though.
The 20-year-old joined from Brentford until the end of the season, and the midfielder has been vital for Oxford United’s uplift in form. Despite his young age, Konak is proving to be a welcome surprise, and his quality could be the difference in OUFC staying up.
Yunus Konak has been a standout for Oxford United
The 20-year-old initially struggled to get into the starting XI, but since the end of February, he has been a mainstay in Bloomfield’s side. When Konak has started this term, Oxford United have lost just once.
He was especially brilliant in the latest win against Watford and has staked his claim to play in the remaining four fixtures. The U’s also signed midfielder Jamie McDonnell in January, but the Turkey U21 international has kept him out of the team.
If Bloomfield can keep his side in the Championship, retaining Konak for another year could help OUFC avoid another campaign battling relegation. Had they recruited as they did in January in the summer, they certainly wouldn’t be in the same predicament.
The midfielder is in his first loan spell in senior football and has adapted phenomenally to the Championship. The quality shown at 20 indicates a promising future for the youngster, and he could well have a role in Brentford’s first team next season.
Oxford United’s home form could prove crucial in remaining games
The U’s have four games to try and avoid relegation, and their run-in provides Bloomfield’s side with a reasonable chance of staying up. Half of their matches are at home, and their recent form at the Kassam Stadium suggests they should be aiming for maximum points.
Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday will be difficult games, but OUFC look like a tough team to beat at the moment. Realistically, Oxford United must be aiming for seven points at least to avoid the drop.
With their current group of players, the U’s should be optimistic they can overtake both Portsmouth and West Brom. Both their relegation rivals have tough fixtures, and Bloomfield’s side have proven they can grind out points.
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