Oxford United manager Des Buckingham sent home early from match by club doctor
Yesterday at 06:32 PM
Oxford United manager Des Buckingham required medical attention from the club’s doctor after he felt ‘dizzy’ during his side’s match against Derby County.
Buckingham’s assistant Craig Short stepped in to handle the post-match media duties after the Oxford boss was advised to head home.
“He (Buckingham) stayed till the end of the game but two or three times felt dizzy and had to hold on to the side,” Short said.
“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.”
Oxford took the lead in the 12th minute thanks to Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett.
The 20-year-old’s strike was his second goal in as many games in what was also his first Championship start for the U’s.
Scarlett was on hand to slot home a tidy cutback from Idris El Mizouni.
However, Scarlett’s goal was cancelled out by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in the 55th minute after a costly turnover from Will Vaulks.
Neither side was able to find a winner as the 1-1 result meant it was Oxford’s fifth-straight draw in the Championship.
Short was pleased with Oxford’s first half but felt the team needed to do better once Derby switched up their style in the latter stages of the match.
“I thought we played some excellent football first half, looked composed and in control,” Short said.
“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 draw against Derby, who achieved promotion from League One last season, ensured Oxford went into November with an unbeaten record at home.
Oxford, who also went up from League One via the play-offs, sit tenth on 14 points.
As for Derby, they are also on 14 points but sit two places back due to an inferior goal difference.
