Oxford United: Gary Rowett on how U’s ensured Championship survival

Despite an encouraging start to the campaign, the U’s hit a rough patch around Christmas that ended with previous boss Des Buckingham losing his job.

Buckingham’s sacking was met with a fair bit of criticism by some Oxford fans. He was a popular figure at the Kassam, having led them to promotion the summer before.

But in his place came former Millwall boss Rowett, a man with plenty of experience in the Championship.

“When we first came in, there was a clear defined system of trying to play, build and play in a certain way,” Rowett said.

“We then reached a point where we lost a few players and it became apparent to me very quickly that we had to find a different way.

“That way didn’t need to look super pretty and didn’t need to be perfect, it needed to be effective and efficient.

“Long term we want a lot more than that. Given the opportunity, we’d be able to build something a lot different.”

Oxford go into their final game against Swansea on Saturday, 3 May, safe in the knowledge they can start preparing for another season in the second tier.

“If I’m being really honest, I didn’t have a plan for us in League One,” Rowett laughed.

“I’m pleased for everyone that we’ll have a chance to build something more sustainable in the Championship.

“We want to improve every aspect of the team, we need to strengthen certain areas. Those conversations now become real because we achieved safety.”