Gary Rowett hails best January signing ever as ‘vital’ factor in Oxford United survival

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Oxford United will live to see another season in the Championship after victory over Sunderland last weekend secured their second tier status, and Gary Rowett has hailed one key figure in their quest to stay up.

After coming up via the League One play-offs last season, the odds were massively stacked against Oxford United this season in the Championship.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
12	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	45	15	12	18	59	68	-9	57
13	WatfordWatford	45	16	8	21	52	60	-8	56
14	NorwichNorwich	45	13	15	17	67	66	1	54
15	QPRQPR	45	13	14	18	52	63	-11	53
16	PortsmouthPortsmouth	45	14	11	20	57	70	-13	53
17	Oxford UnitedOxford United	45	13	13	19	46	62	-16	52
18	Stoke CityStoke City	45	12	14	19	45	62	-17	50
19	DerbyDerby	45	13	10	22	48	56	-8	49
20	PrestonPreston	45	10	19	16	46	57	-11	49
21	LutonLuton	45	13	10	22	42	64	-22	49

They came into the league with Des Buckingham in charge, but switched things up and put Gary Rowett in charge in mid-December after a severe decline in form left the U’s in danger.

While Oxford have flirted with the Championship relegation battle for a while, a crucial three points at home to Sunderland on Saturday was enough to steer them clear of the bottom three and secure their spot in the Championship for 2025/26.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland claim backfires after 2-0 defeat vs Oxford United, it spells trouble for play-offs

Oxford United can thank Michael Helik for survival

Obviously, survival in this competitive league is down to a combination of different factors, from fine work by the coach, to hard work from the players.

But, as Rowett looks ahead to the final weekend of the campaign, he has been reflecting on one big decision he made in January that may well have saved Oxford’s skin more than most.

Discussing the signing of defender Michael Helik, He said: “I don’t think I’ve personally made a better signing in January in my whole career. He’s been immense.

“He’s a great guy, he’s a great leader. You see the goals he’s got that have been absolutely vital.”

The 29-year-old Poland international signed from League One Huddersfield Town in January, and has played the full 90 minutes in all 19 games since.

Helik has also scored four goals in those games, including a crucial goal in the 3-2 win over Luton Town back in January, and in the win over Sunderland last weekend.

• READ MORE: Luton Town can replicate West Brom feat from 20 years ago as they look to complete Championship survival mission

Oxford United’s decision to hire Gary Rowett was crucial

Gary Rowett may point to his players, but enough has not been said about the fine job he has done in guiding Oxford to safety this season.

If you’d offered any Oxford fan the chance to finish in 17th place at the start of the season, they’d have snapped your hand off. Now, if results go their way on Saturday, Oxford could end the season as high as 14th in the final Championship table.

It’s a brilliant achievement for a club that spent just over £3m all season on transfers, and has managed to step up and compete in one of the most difficult and unpredictable leagues in Europe.

Obviously, it’s all hypothetical and assumptions, but it’s hard to imagine the U’s would be in the position they’re in now if they had stuck with Buckingham at the backend of last year.