U

Oxford United assistant head coach Chris Gunter says he feels the excitement within the club after the U's won their second pre-season friendly.

United beat League Two side Barnet 2-1 at The Hive, Stan Mills opening the scoring after three minutes before Adam Senior equalised in the second half.

A late winner eventually came from Gatlin O'Donkor who bagged his second goal in as many games after putting his side ahead in a 3-1 win over Aldershot Town on Tuesday.

Speaking after the game, assistant coach Gunter says he is feeling good ahead of the new League One season.

"Since we've come in, I've felt a real positivity and excitement and that may take a little bit longer to creep into the supporters," the former defender said.

"This manager and what we're looking for is a completely fresh start. It's an opportunity for everybody.

"I think the things that the manager wants really suit certain players. I think there's been some performances over the last two games, and definitely in the weeks of pre-season, where everybody is putting their best foot forward and making it as difficult as possible for when [Ramsey] is picking that team ready for the first game."

Returning to the Yellows fold was last season's Players' and Supporters' Player of the Year, Mills, who bagged with his first touch of pre-season after missing out against Aldershot and the squad's warm-weather camp in Spain.

Oxford United winger Stan Mills celebrates (Image: Jason Dawson)

"He's made an impact straight away," Gunter continued.

"He's had a difficult couple of weeks in terms of he was ill and he missed the pre-season trip, and then he's come back in and worked really hard.

"He's got his first minutes today, and it was a dream start for him and us in terms of this pre-season.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Barnet in second friendly of pre-season

READ MORE: Barnet 1-2 Oxford United - Pre-season 2026/27

"That's the type of quality that he has. Like I say, our job and the team's job is to get him into those positions as much as possible.

"So I'm really pleased, and the most important thing from Stan's point of view is physically, he needs minutes in his legs, which he's not got."

Also impressing this summer is O'Donkor who has a couple of goals to his name as he looks to compete with Mark Harris for a starting place up front.

Gatlin O'Donkor shoots for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

"I think he's got some rewards for that over the last couple of games.

"He's mirrored, and we'll probably only speak about him because he's scored, but he has mirrored every single player."

The U's are halfway through their pre-season fixture schedule with two wins so far and face Crawley Town on Tuesday evening as they return to the Kassam Stadium.