Oxford boss Des Buckingham sent home early after suffering with dizziness

Posted Wednesday, October 23, 2024 by PA

Oxford head coach Des Buckingham was checked over by the club doctor following the 1-1 draw with Derby at the Kassam Stadium after feeling unwell during the second half.

His assistant Craig Short did the post-match press conference and explained Buckingham, who had been experiencing dizziness, had been advised to go home.

Short said: “He stayed till the end of the game but two or three times felt dizzy and had to hold on to the side.

“We asked him whether he’d eaten anything funny but he said no, he’d just had the normal pre-match meal.

“He’s been seen by the club doctor and is still not right so we felt it is best if he gets himself away from the stadium and off home.”

Dane Scarlett scored for the second game running in what was Oxford’s fifth successive Championship draw.

Scarlett, making his first league start for the U’s, fired them in front in the 12th minute, deftly turning in Idris El Mizouni’s cutback from the left after good work from Siri Dembele.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing drilled in an equaliser from 18 yards for the Rams in the 55th minute after Will Vaulks had given the ball away.

Short added: “I thought we played some excellent football first half, looked composed and in control.

“We do seem to struggle when it maybe gets a bit more direct, the last half hour was a bit of a fight game, a bit more chaotic and then you lose your structure and your control. But there were still some good performances.

“The positive side is we’re going into November with an unbeaten home record.

“Yes, of course we want to start picking up home wins and today was probably a game where we’ve thrown two points away.

“Dane deserved his chance, he’s trained really well and with three games in a week it was important to rotate the squad.

“We’ve watched him in training so know what he’s capable of and he’s well thought of by (parent club) Spurs.

“Our back four were good again and I was really impressed with Ben (Nelson) and the way he was stepping out.

“Considering we conceded a goal and it could have gone either way, I’m pleased we didn’t concede again.

“We had moments, and at this higher level you have to take your chances, but we have a lot we can be proud about.

“In the dressing room the players are down, they’re obviously concerned about the manager who was trying to keep going but you could tell he was physically struggling.

“But with the doctor on call there seeing him he’s in the best possible hands.”

Derby head coach Paul Warne was frustrated by his team’s “horrendous” first-half display.

He said: “We were horrific in the first half, there was no intensity in our play and if you don’t have any fire you get punished.

“Then quelle surprise, we were significantly better in the second half.

“But we can’t allow 45 minutes to go by as we did.

“Yes I swapped players at half-time but I don’t think we were losing because of tactics or personnel, it was because we weren’t doing the basics right.

“There was a lack of effort, running and tackling in the first half.

“So I apologise to any of the travelling fans who left at half-time after that.

“In the second half we were much better but the ball fell to people who were smashing it over the bar or whatever.

“It’s just disappointing because I just want us to be better.

“Ironically I think we’ve performed better in the away games where we haven’t got points.

“We leave here frustrated not to have won the game more than anything. But if you don’t run or tackle or put in the effort you need to, you don’t give yourself the best chance to do that.”