On Saturday afternoon, there was second tier action for both Dane Scarlett and Ashley Phillips. Both side’s games were at 15:00 GMT, with Scarlett’s Oxford United in action at home to Middlesbrough, and Phillips’ Stoke City in action on the road to Queens Park Rangers.
Despite another goal for the England U21s during the international break, Scarlett was named on the bench for this one, in favour of Wales international Mark Harris. Oxford would take the lead midway through the first half, yet found themselves 3-1 down at the break, after three Middlesbrough goals in the final eight minutes of the half.
How everything went down in the Championship on Saturday
Things would get worse within the first five minutes of the second period, with Middlesbrough making it 4-1. In response, Oxford manager Des Buckingham made a double sub a few minutes later, which included the introduction of Scarlett for Harris.
With 18 minutes of the game remaining, Scarlett added another goal to his ever growing tally – making it give goals in his last nine appearances for club and country. After that, however, Middlesbrough added two goals, to condemn the U’s to a tough 6-2 defeat on their own patch.
This defeat leaves Oxford sitting 18th in the Championship, with 17 points from 16 games so far this campaign. Scarlett’s side have now won just one of their last eleven outings.
As for Phillips, he was named in the starting XI for a sixth game in a row – despite missing both of England U20’s games during the international break. Stoke would take a one goal lead going into the break, but an own goal from Phillips’ partner Ben Gibson meant the spoils were shared in West London, with a 1-1 draw.
Still, it was a pretty good performance from the young Tottenham Hotspur central defender, who recorded; eight clearances, three blocked shots, 72 touches, 51/56 passes, 3 out of 4 accurate long balls, 4/4 duels won, one foul drawn, and a shot off target.
This draw leaves Stoke sitting in 12th place in the Championship, with 20 points from 16 games so far.
As for both teams next game, Oxford face Sheffield United on the road on Tuesday night, meanwhile Stoke face Preston North End at home, with that one also on Tuesday. Both games will kick off at 19:45. Oxford’s showdown at Sheffield United will be shown on the Sky Sports red button, for anyone who may want to watch.