OXFORD United extended their unbeaten league start under Gary Rowett to eight games with a goalless draw at Stoke City.
The U’s have played better under Rowett since his arrival as head coach, but it’s a telling sign of how far the team has come in such a short space of time that they were probably still the better side against the Potters.
United edged possession, had more efforts, and arguably had the better chances, but were just unable to make it count by making the breakthrough.
We had a look at the key talking points from the game.
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Unbeaten against Potters
The U’s were on top in the reverse fixture, with Idris El Mizouni scoring the only goal of the game back in September.
It means United have taken four points from their two games against an established Sky Bet Championship outfit.
This is the seventh season that the Potters have spent in the second tier, following 10 seasons in the Premier League.
They haven’t finished in the top half since relegation back to the Championship, but it’s still fair to call them a streetwise team at this level.
And the U’s have managed four points against them, without conceding a goal nor looking out of their depth in the slightest.
Keeping two clean sheets has been impressive, particularly when you consider some of the attacking talent that United have come up against.
In September, Netherlands Under-21 winger Million Manhoef and Tom Cannon – who has recently joined Sheffield United for a reported £10 million – were in the Potters starting line-up, while yesterday saw Lewis Koumas and Andrew Moran (on loan from Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively) named in the starting XI.
Centre backs form brilliant partnership
January signing Michal Helik and centre half partner Ciaron Brown look like they have been playing alongside each other for years.
It’s obviously not the case though, and it was just the third game partnered together, with two clean sheets kept.
The speed at which Helik has slotted into the back four is leading to serious questions being asked about what will happen when captain Elliott Moore returns from his adductor injury.
And then there is Leicester City loanee Ben Nelson too, who is due back from a long-term quad injury in the next few weeks.
Some challenging questions for Rowett to find the answers to.
Big chance for debutant
It looked like the perfect script when Ole Romeny nicked the ball from Potters goalkeeper Viktor Johansson out on the left touchline with seven minutes to go.
Romeny did very well initially to win possession without committing a foul, and then the angle was tight to find the net.
The finish was a little bit rushed due to a covering Potters defender, and Romeny was unlucky to see his effort smack the crossbar.