The week unwrapped

Gary Rowett issued a fairly stark ultimatum on Saturday after the dispiriting 1-0 defeat to Charlton: back me or sack me. Given that Rowett has, in recent weeks, criticised his own unbalanced squad, sidelined individual players, suggested that he was in the dark about January transfer dealings and told the press that he might be for the axe, the club took him up on the offer on Tuesday and sacked him.

So, we go into Boxing Day’s game against Southampton – the mid-point of the season – without a manager and with plenty of uncertainty.

Saintsfacts

Southampton are a complete enigma, having gained promotion to the Premier League in 2024 via the play-offs against Leeds United, they had a disastrous season in the top flight finishing with 12 points, just one ahead of the all-time lowest points record. This season, despite being buoyed by parachute payments, it was hard to know if they were too damaged to bounce back or too rich to fail.

After a average to terrible start to the season, they burst into life in November scoring 21 goals in seven games. Despite the goals cascading from every orifice, they lost to Norwich, who even we didn’t lose to, before drawing with Coventry. Add all that to our in-between managers status and it’s anyone’s guess how this one might turn out.

Football friend | Trevor Hebberd

Trevor Hebberd’s qualities often held him back. He was industrious and versatile, and proper team player. Starting at Southampton as an apprentice cleaning the boots of Peter Rodriguez, their FA Cup winning captain, Hebberd made his debut in 1976. However, although his versatility meant he could play anywhere it equally meant he filled in where needed.  

When Southampton legend Mick Channon moved to Manchester City in 1977, Hebberd was earmarked as a replacement. It was big boots to fill. With no time to establish himself, his solid performances were masked by a lack of Channon’s goals. In 1979 he played in every round of the League Cup as Southampton progressed to the final, but lost his place a few weeks before Wembley and didn’t even make the bench.

In 1982, Jim Smith took him to Oxford as a swap for striker Keith Cassells. Initially, like when he replaced Mick Channon, Hebberd looked lightweight and lacked the Cassells’ dynamic goalscoring. Slowly he established himself in midfield, and from there Oxford’s dominance of the 1980s sprouted.

In 1986, he was finally able to vanquish the memory of 1979, scoring the first goal and making the second in the 3-0 win over QPR. The performance carved him into Oxford United folklore. But, playing for a small club held him back and an England call never came.

He was Jim Smith’s favourite signing and nearly left in 1986 for Smith’s QPR, but was eventually persuaded by Robert Maxwell to stay. He featured throughout the glory years, until 1988 when relegation came and he moved to Derby County.

From the archive | Southampton 3 Oxford United 2

With the notable exception of 1984/5, Oxford’s time in the second tier has always been characterised by its streakiness. In 1996, having just been promoted, Oxford started the season in a characteristically upbeat fashion. They started encouragingly, including beating Premier League Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup. 

The win prompted a sudden and rapid descended into a six game streak without a goal, which was then followed up  with five game winning run. 

After Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford beat Port Vale in the next round and then were drawn against Southampton. A 1-1 draw at the Manor saw Paul Moody scoring a last minute equaliser which set up a trip to The Dell. 

Despite the difference in status, Oxford started brightly, making chances for Bobby Ford, Matt Elliott and Nigel Jemson. Asmir Berkovic put the Premier League side ahead, scoring on 21 minutes. Undeterred, Jemson replied with a smart header from Les Robinson’s cross just before the break.

Richard Dryden headed Southampton’s second seven minutes into the second half, latching onto Jim Magilton’s deep cross. Southampton’s quality began to tell as Egil Ostenstad scored to make it 3-1.

Six minutes later, Bobby Ford scored the goal of the night, a bending looping strike beyond Dave Beasant from distance. The goal set up a grandstand finish with Mike Ford going closest, but the equaliser didn’t come. And at that point both clubs headed off on a 29 year odyssey which ends today as they meet once again.