THIRTY-FOUR players represented Oxford United in their successful push for Sky Bet Championship safety during the 2024/25 campaign.
Those players range from Marselino Ferdinan and Gatlin O’Donkor, who both made a solitary substitute appearance, to Mark Harris, who was the only member of the U’s squad to feature in all 46 league games.
Along the way, my player ratings for each match have monitored the highs and lows of the campaign, and with the dust now settling on the season, it’s the perfect time to look at the average rating for each player across the Championship games.
NOTE: Players had to feature for a minimum of 75 minutes to get a rating per game.
GOALKEEPERS
Jamie Cumming (6.91): Brilliant between the posts for United, keeping 13 clean sheets in 45 matches. Seemed to produce at least one wonderful save per game at some stages of the season.
Matt Ingram (6): Unfortunate to concede three times on the final day in his only league appearance of the season, as he made a couple of decent stops at Swansea City.
Oxford United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming (Image: Mike Allen)
DEFENDERS
Joe Bennett (6.17): Continued his fine form during the promotion campaign into this season, but then an ankle injury ruled him out for more than five months.
Ciaron Brown (6.98): Double winner at the club’s end-of-season awards, and rightly so. On the basis of the season as a whole, he was the team’s most consistent player, performing admirably at centre half and left back.
Michal Helik (7.05): Slotted straight into the side following his January arrival from Huddersfield Town and managed to get himself on the scoresheet five times in 20 games.
Peter Kioso (6.55): Showed some promise when the season started, but he never seemed able to nail down a regular spot at right back, with a few mistakes leading to goals conceded.
Greg Leigh (6.73): Continued his goalscoring form from last season with six more league goals this time round, ending the campaign as the joint top scorer.
Sam Long (6.88): Whether it was centre half or right back, more often than not he was a reliable presence for the U’s. His winner at Sheffield Wednesday was a highlight of the season.
Elliott Moore (6.77): The skipper missed a decent chunk of games in the New Year due to an adductor and hamstring injuries, but rarely put a foot wrong in the first half of the campaign.
Ben Nelson (7.06): Excellent loan signing from Leicester City, and although a serious quad injury saw him sidelined for four months, his assured and composed defending was superb.
Hidde ter Avest (6.43): Arrived with an impressive CV in the summer, and showed glimpses of his ability at right back. Netted the winner at home to Hull City on his first start.
Jordan Thorniley (7.25): Impressive off the bench at Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle in January during his only two league appearances of the season.
Michal Helik joined from Huddersfield Town in January (Image: Mike Allen)
MIDFIELDERS
Cameron Brannagan (6.92): Knee injury interrupted him at the beginning of the campaign, but he played through the pain barrier when he returned and continued his long-standing role as the beating heart of the side.
Idris El Mizouni (6.5): Better performances came in the first half of the season, including with the winner at home to Stoke City in September. Big summer coming up in all likelihood.
Alex Matos (6.53): Plenty of solid displays since arriving from Chelsea on loan in January, while performances at Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Leeds United were immense.
Josh McEachran (6.36): Some excellent displays at the beginning of the season, but then didn’t feature in the league at all under Gary Rowett.
Ruben Rodrigues (6.48): At times he was still one of a handful of players who could bring that X factor to the final third. Links up play nicely, but can also find it difficult to stamp his authority on games.
Louie Sibley (6.5): Started just once, but came off the bench 10 times. Went to Rotherham United on loan in January, and like El Mizouni, has a huge summer ahead.
Will Vaulks (6.57): High-profile errors and mistakes characterised his start with the club, but he turned it round with plenty of gritty displays, while his long throw-in became a key weapon.
Cameron Brannagan on the ball against Watford (Image: Mike Allen)
ATTACKERS
Tom Bradshaw (5.69): A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury came as a blow following January arrival from Millwall. Hopefully after a strong pre-season, he can show his pedigree next season.
Owen Dale (6.19): Worked hard and always put a shift in when given the opportunity. Moved to Wigan Athletic on loan on January deadline day when those chances dried up.
Siriki Dembele (6.69): Some silky displays when he first joined, and then an ankle injury disrupted his rhythm. Two goals and two assists not a great return, but goals did come in the important 1-0 wins at home against Watford and Sheffield United.
Malcolm Ebiowei (5.75): Made four substitute appearances and then headed back to parent club Crystal Palace in January. Looked short of confidence during United spell.
Kyle Edwards (6.2): Handed a short-term deal until January once the summer transfer window closed, but remaining fit was again sadly his downfall.
Tyler Goodrham (6.65): An absolute joy to watch at the start of the season, however his form dipped in 2025, before then flourishing again in the final few weeks.
Tyler Goodrham looks to squeeze through against Sunderland (Image: Mike Allen) Mark Harris (6.33): Leading the line has been a thankless slog at times with nothing to feed on. He will be the first to admit goal tally should be higher, but it’s not as though he’s wasted much, with chances at a premium.
Stan Mills (6.11): Had to rebuild his fitness after rejoining the club on a permanent basis in January, and then was showing some exciting potential in the games at the end of the season.
Matt Phillips (5.95): Seemed short of confidence when used as a winger, however at wing back, he looked far more assured during a series of professional displays.
Przemyslaw Placheta (6.47): His pace has been an invaluable asset and outlet at times, and although consistency has been difficult, he was a key performer when Rowett was appointed head coach.
Ole Romeny (6.22): The January signing from FC Utrecht has been in and out of the side, with his best position not yet obvious. Has shown flashes of invention and skill though.
Dane Scarlett (6.5): Four goals while on loan from Tottenham Hotspur despite being used more often as a substitute. Would’ve been interesting to see his total if not recalled in January.