‘Feels like a win’ – Gary Rowett drops Oxford United verdict which will frustrate Norwich City fans

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Oxford United battled to a 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road, with Gary Rowett’s side easing their relegation fears further.

Oxford were always likely to be among the favourites for relegation this term, but they have largely kept their heads above water for much of the campaign, having only occupied a place in the bottom three for one matchday all season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
14	QPRQPR	35	11	11	13	41	45	-4	44
15	PrestonPreston	35	9	16	10	36	41	-5	43
16	SwanseaSwansea	35	11	8	16	37	46	-9	41
17	PortsmouthPortsmouth	35	10	9	16	43	57	-14	39
18	Oxford UnitedOxford United	36	9	12	15	37	53	-16	39
19	Hull CityHull City	35	9	9	17	35	44	-9	36
20	Stoke CityStoke City	35	8	12	15	34	47	-13	36
21	CardiffCardiff	35	8	12	15	38	57	-19	36
22	LutonLuton	35	8	7	20	32	55	-23	31

Josh Sargent’s opener sparked debate but Mark Harris’ equaliser saw Oxford cling on for a crucial draw ahead of the Saturday afternoon fixtures. The point could prove to be invaluable come the end of the season.

Most punters and neutrals expected a Norwich win against Oxford at Carrow Road, but Rowett’s side showed the character and determination required to survive against all the odds in the Championship.

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Gary Rowett makes honest Norwich City claim after 1-1 Oxford United draw

Speaking post-match, Rowett revealed his honest thoughts on the officials, Norwich, and why the point felt somewhat like a win for his Oxford side in a tough away fixture.

Rowett said: “Ultimately, places like this are where you have to dig in and you have to show a little bit of character.

“Certainly, we did that when four minutes went up and played nearly six. At one point, I thought, ‘are we just waiting for Norwich to score?’

“I just thought that one lack of concentration and all that hard work looked like it might just come undone in a moment.

“That’s when you need your ‘keeper to pull something big off. I thought that was us losing the game late on, so that would have been a real sucker punch.

“Points like this feel, sometimes, like a win. Tonight feels a little bit like that and hopefully gives us an extra lift.”

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Oxford United have Championship survival in their hands

Given the current rate of PPG the bottom three are currently projecting, Oxford know that safety is in their own hands and not too far away in the final ten games of the campaign.

However, many of their fixtures look extremely tough, which is why a point at Carrow Road will feel like a win for them in their current predicament.

Not many Championship fans are predicting Oxford relegation this season, with the bottom sides cut adrift at present and time running out to rectify their situation at the business end of the season.