adminOxford United captain prepares for ‘tough game’ at Bristol
Oxford United captain Cameron Brannagan is seeking the team’s first win of the season against high-flying Championship side Bristol City.
The midfielder acknowledged the fixture at Ashton Gate would be a “tough game” following the club’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the Kassam Stadium.
The Foxes were a man down for almost 70 minutes after Aaron Ramsey was shown a red card on his Leicester debut.
Brannagan and the rest of the squad met people closely associated with the club on Tuesday, at a ‘team behind the team’ event at the Westgate Centre’s rooftop terrace.
Speaking during the event, he said it was “unbelievable” to be playing in the Championship.
“That’s been a big ambition of the club and mine and we want to push as high as possible,” he said.
“Bristol City will be a tough game – we want to try out what we have been working on and we believe we can go and win.”
The midfielder, who joined the U’s in 2018, said he was “100 per cent confident” that the team would still be in the Championship at the end of the season.
He added that he was pleased that plans for a new stadium in Kidlington with a capacity of up to 16,000 were now “over the line”, after planning permission was granted last month by Cherwell District Council.
“It’s a big lift for everyone now that is secured – now the players need to make sure we win in the league and climb the table,” he added.
Bristol City are currently sitting third in the Championship while Oxford United are in 22nd place – they remain in the relegation zone.
Manager Gary Rowett, who was also at the Westgate Centre event, said the Championship was “competitive”, featuring lots of big teams, adding: “The level has gone up.”
He said: “We know it is competitive – we could be sat five or six places higher with a little more fortune in the games so far.”
Bristol City’s recent form is impressive, with big wins against Sheffield United and Hull City.
Oxford United so far have been struggling to find the back of the net, and have drawn twice and lost three of the first five games of the season.
Bristol City have won two out of three of the teams’ most recent meetings, although the U’s managed to win the two games before that.
Rivalry between the two sides grew when U’s manager Liam Manning left to join Bristol City at the end of 2023. He is now with Norwich City.
On Tuesday, people involved in the day-to-day running of the club were invited to gather at the rooftop terrace to chat with the players, CEO Tim Williams, and manager Gary Rowett.
They included Gemma Olive, ticket office manager for 30 years, Roland Clements, a steward for 40 years, and John Burden, a U’s fan for 50 years.
Kick off at Ashton Gate on Sunday is at 3pm
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