Dean Saunders on key for Oxford United progress next season..
FORMER Oxford United striker Dean Saunders says the U’s will have to be smart in the summer transfer window if they are to progress further in Sky Bet Championship next season.
United ensured Championship safety with a game to spare in the 2024/25 campaign, and ended the season in 17th place and four points above the relegation zone.
The U’s won three games from seven going into the penultimate match of the campaign, with key victories coming against Watford, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.
Those wins preceded the 2-0 victory at home against Sunderland – the result which secured Championship survival.
READ ALSO: England and Aston Villa star makes surprise visit to Oxford school
Saunders scored 33 goals in 73 appearances for United prior to a £1 million switch to Derby County, and he later played for the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Galatasaray.
He said: “I think Oxford’s survival this season was brilliant, they really dug in during the latter part of the season and got themselves over the line, which they can build upon next season.
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“There was plenty of pressure on them, the trapdoor of relegation was certainly there, but two wins and two draws from their last five games got them over the line by four points.
“Battling down the bottom of the Championship is key. If you assume you’re going to survive like Luton seemed to do, you can easily fall into League One. I had a great time playing for Oxford, and I’m glad they survived, they deserved it.
“I hope they progress further under Gary Rowett next season. Being in a relegation battle isn’t fun for anyone, so I hope they can develop further next season.
“But it isn’t easy on a small budget, so credit to Rowett and everyone at the club. Recruitment is the key for any team to progress, so they will have to be smart in that department, and I’m sure they will be aiming to be a solid Championship club for seasons to come.”
Saunders, an FA Cup winner with Liverpool and a League Cup winner with Villa, was speaking to the Oxford Mail on behalf of casinoreviews.net.
FORMER Oxford United striker Dean Saunders says the U’s will have to be smart in the summer transfer window if they are to progress further in Sky Bet Championship next season.
United ensured Championship safety with a game to spare in the 2024/25 campaign, and ended the season in 17th place and four points above the relegation zone.
The U’s won three games from seven going into the penultimate match of the campaign, with key victories coming against Watford, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.
Those wins preceded the 2-0 victory at home against Sunderland – the result which secured Championship survival.
READ ALSO: England and Aston Villa star makes surprise visit to Oxford school
Saunders scored 33 goals in 73 appearances for United prior to a £1 million switch to Derby County, and he later played for the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Galatasaray.
He said: “I think Oxford’s survival this season was brilliant, they really dug in during the latter part of the season and got themselves over the line, which they can build upon next season.
“There was plenty of pressure on them, the trapdoor of relegation was certainly there, but two wins and two draws from their last five games got them over the line by four points.
“Battling down the bottom of the Championship is key. If you assume you’re going to survive like Luton seemed to do, you can easily fall into League One. I had a great time playing for Oxford, and I’m glad they survived, they deserved it.
“I hope they progress further under Gary Rowett next season. Being in a relegation battle isn’t fun for anyone, so I hope they can develop further next season.
“But it isn’t easy on a small budget, so credit to Rowett and everyone at the club. Recruitment is the key for any team to progress, so they will have to be smart in that department, and I’m sure they will be aiming to be a solid Championship club for seasons to come.”
Saunders, an FA Cup winner with Liverpool and a League Cup winner with Villa, was speaking to the Oxford Mail on behalf of casinoreviews.net
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