Comment: Significant West Brom boost can make big difference for boss Ryan Mason after break

But one factor may have slipped ever so slightly under the radar as the U's were edged out 2-1.

One factor, indeed, consisting of two individuals that helped add to Mason's options and provided extra thrust and guile when turned to.

It was a double shot in the arm of Mason's midfield as first Jayson Molumby and then in the closing stages Toby Collyer were introduced.

They have been sorely missed and the pair's absence coincided with a very difficult winless few weeks for the club and head coach.

Alex Mowatt and Ousmane Diakite are no mugs, clearly. The former has played around 350 games in the Championship and wears the armband for a reason. He passes the ball like nobody else in the squad.

Diakite, fourth choice in Albion's midfield, has stood tall and given a good account of himself. His physical nature and ability to break up play are clearly the Malian's key strengths, and they naturally lead to benefiting late on in games mostly from the bench, but he has not let Mason or the Baggies down.

Both have been forced to go again in recent weeks. Mowatt has looked tired at points recently. He turns 31 in a couple of months and is no longer the prospect that broke through at Leeds.

Left-back Callum Styles is versatile and can play in there, likewise defender Krystian Bielik, but not to what the absent duo can bring.

Regardless of that, the possibility of turning to Molumby and Collyer changes the picture for Mason.

Some will point out that neither are the second coming of Bryan Robson and ready to lead the club to glory from midfield, but they will doubtless make a difference in the current context.

Providing the head coach the opportunity to shuffle his pack, keeping opponents guessing, and using different types of midfielders will be useful.

It is something Mason has not had the chance to do yet this season. It took until early October and that miserable defeat at Millwall for Collyer to start his first game. The first game back from that international break he trudged off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Molumby, who already had an issue from Ireland duty - and worsened it.

Molumby, away with Ireland again this break albeit suspended for the first of their qualifiers, was introduced near the hour mark against Oxford shortly after an own goal hauled the hosts level.

Immediately he latched on to a low bouncing ball in the box and prodded at goalkeeper Jamie Cumming.

Mowatt and Diakite seldom found themselves in the opposition box barring corners for the latter. Mowatt scored seven times last term - not far from a career-best - but they were all from range and he has none this season. They are both deep-lying players.

Molumby, 26, had little to do with Aune Heggebo's winner, but the point remains he brings a lot to Albion and it is noticeable when he does not feature.

He possesses boundless energy very few can match and that can act as a driver. He may get caught at times here, there and everywhere, but it is part of the package.

Manchester United loanee Collyer, 21, remains a mystery. He has started just twice, one team horrorshow and one encouraging performance that lasted 55 minutes.

His early cameos this term were cautious but improved. It must be remembered that - 13 United appearances aside of which just three were starts - this is his first exposure to regular senior football.

In just a few minutes' cameo on Saturday, though, he brought a calmness and composure. He is technically gifted and has an engine. He could really develop.

Both, you would wager, could serve Mason well in the coming weeks.