Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town: Preview

He has scored goals in all manner of games since joining Town – apart from in League One. But now, having finally patiently worked his way into John Askey’s first-team thoughts, he is ready to deliver, writes Lewis Cox.

If you took into account the Checkatrade Trophy, Central League Cup and practice matches, then Okenabirhie would be top scorer in Askey’s ranks with five goals in four games.

Okenabirhie stands to start consecutive League One matches – after shining in Tuesday’s win over Barnsley – for the first time in his career. He is likely to lead the line alongside top scorer Lee Angol at The Kassam Stadium tomorrow.

His scoring record suggests a finishing prowess from a forward who knows where the net is.

It is easy to see why he already has fans singing his name. He has scored goals. The early affinity shown by Town fans to the summer signing from Dagenham has not got unnoticed.

The forward, a level-headed, mature individual with a likeable demeanour, said: “I’ve recognised their support. It does give you that extra motivation. When you come to a new club you want to be taken in by the fans.

“To know that they’re supporting me is great and hopefully I can pay them back with some goals and great performances.

“I definitely want to settle here. It’s a great club, everyone’s really friendly and made it easy to settle in. It’s a club I want to do well for and score goals.”

So how did he find struggling to get the nod in the league behind Angol, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Lenell John-Lewis?

“It’s hard to say. The manager has been picking the team, I’ve just had to be working hard ready to play,” added the 22-year-old.

“And as it’s been going on I’ve been getting more minutes.

“I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season now and contributing to help us move up the table.”

When he finally got the nod to make a full League One debut, it didn’t quite go to plan.

Okenabirhie partnered John-Lewis in an ineffective 4-4-2 on a forgettable trip to Fleetwood two weeks ago.

Both the strikers were culled at half-time by Askey, who held his hands up and admitted the formation didn’t work. The boss has stressed that Okenabirhie – simplified as ‘Fey’ to his colleagues – was an unfortunate bystander that day.

“Obviously with the result and having to come off at half-time, it’s never what you want,” Okenabirhie added about a day he’d rather forget.

“Hopefully I’ve moved on from that and I’m pushing forward now to get more minutes to help the team.

“It’s good to get the 90 minutes (against Barnsley), fitness in your legs. As you get a run of games you get fitter and into your rhythm. It gets better and better if you continue to do that.”

Okenabirhie is targetting a first League One goal tomorrow at Oxford, where 21st hosts 18th.

“I’m direct and positive when I get the ball. Trying to create and score goals for the team,” he added. “Just being a threat is what I’m about.

“It depends on the chance, where I am in the box, I play on instinct and see what’s the best technique to use.”

“With the more minutes I’ll play, the more opportunities I’ll get to score and I back myself in front of goal in any game.

“As long as I’m on the pitch I’ll have opportunities to get goals and hopefully the first (league) one is not far away.”

Likely line-up:

Subs: Arnold (GK). Sadler, Gillead, Barnett, Laurent, Amadi-Holloway, John-Lewis.

The opposition: Oxford have finally discovered some form

Just when he needed it, Karl Robinson has been able to discover a bit of form at the Kassam Stadium.

The former MK Dons and Charlton boss, appointed at the U’s in March, endured an abysmal start to his first full season in charge as Oxford found themselves bottom of the pile until a few weeks ago.

Supporters were demanding answers and things looked tight for Robinson as he went into a home clash with fellow strugglers Plymouth a fortnight ago.

But Robinson’s men brought their A-game into that one and eased any pressure on the boss.

The victory also turned into a springboard for United, who finished 16th in a turbulent campaign last season which began under the bizarre stewardship of left-field Spanish appointment Pep Clotet.

Oxford have since gone four games unbeaten – their best run for 12 months. Robinson’s men have earmarked this game as a crucial one in helping to kickstart their season.

Should they secure the home win against John Askey’s Town, then Oxford will be five games unbeaten and wondering what all the fuss was about. The U’s are marking the celebration of their 125th anniversary with Salop’s visit.

There are discounted tickets and a hope that they might pack out the Kassam Stadium.

That factor could work for them or it could work in Askey’s visitors’ favour if Shrews are able to start quickly, like they did against Barnsley on Tuesday night.

Oxford have flitted between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 this season.

Their major struggle has been getting the centre-forwards scoring.

Jon Obika, Jamie Mackie and Sam Smith – signed on loan from Reading with plenty of attention in the summer – have just three goals between them.

Plenty of emphasis is on the attackers behind the front-runners.

The U’s boast an envious armoury of talent included the mercurial Ricky Holmes, who scored a hat-trick against Shrews for Charlton a couple of seasons ago.

Samir Carruthers, like Holmes, is a talented Sheffield United loanee while West Ham whizz-kid Marcus Browne has come in on a temporary basis and really caught the eye. He will pose a real threat with his pace on the flanks.

Pie and a pint?

The George Inn is a 15 to 20-minute walk from the Kassam Stadium and serves a range of pies and sausage rolls. Pints inside the ground cost £4.

Memory Lane

Second-half goals from Kelvin Langmead, Ben Herd and Jamie Trolley, right, gave Town a comfortable 3-0 League Two win in January 2006.

The Key Man

Greg Doherty has been in great form in recent games and is becoming a firm favourite with the fans. If he does well then the team follow.

Opposition Danger Man

Experiences attacker Ricky Holmes possesses so much quality. His fine form for Charlton a couple of seasons ago - where he netted a hat-trick at the New Meadow in a 4-3 defeat - earned a Championship move to Sheffield United, which has not worked out. Back on loan in League One, the creative schemer has done well.