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Post by Paul Cannell on Sept 17, 2017 19:06:06 GMT
They'll know if the gentry are out and that's all that matters.
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Post by diagocostapacket on Sept 17, 2017 19:30:21 GMT
Just briefly want to take this thread back to the football. Having only just got back home, I haven't read much elsewhere so others may have gone over this already, but I thought I'd chuck in my 2 pennies worth about the game. That game was lost in the first 15 minutes, and on balance of the whole game, we were lucky to come away having only lost 3-1. It could've been 5 at half time. We'd gone for our standard 4-2-3-1, where as Blackpool looked like they were set up with a 3-4-3 which caused us no end of problems in the first half. Their front 3 all had pace and stretched our back 4 by making runs into the channels. They'd done their homework too, and even though Vassell got the better of Nelson (who had a mare first half) for the first, he had most his joy running off Williamson, who he would've known he had the legs on. It looked like their 3 across the front were backed up by a 4 man midfield, and where Ledson and Rothwell were so occupied helping out the back 4, every time there was a loose ball it was easy for Blackpool to find a spare man. Their man on the ball had so many options, and because of the movement of their front 3, they could easily find a diagonal pass forward. Where we were under so much pressure, we were desperate for the ball to stick when it did go up front and this is where we massively missed Obika. Oh what a difference he could've made. Thomas is no target man, he doesn't win enough and he can't hold the ball up well enough. Gino isn't much better, both he and Thomas are better going in behind. But it could've made a difference, especially first half, but there was no doubt Blackpool were the better side. I was pleased to see Pep changed it at half time and on the plus side, the second half was much improved, but the damage was done by then. I was particularly impressed with Henry second half, who showed some very good touches down the right where he had a lot more room thanks to the change in formation. I don't think Blackpool had a particularly talented team, they definitely had some good players, but not outstanding. What they were though was very organised with a well executed game plan, and credit has to go to Bowyer for that. He is doing a great job in difficult circumstances. It's a bit of a shame for their fans that they are missing that football. If they play like that at every home game then a season ticket would be great value, though I do understand their boycott, the Oystons seem like total bellends. What I like about Pep is that he seems like he's very focused on the big picture and is quick to learn. I reckon we'll be in for a stronger second half of the season. I've got no problems with the result yesterday, we were well beaten by a better team, who showed the whole is better than the sum of all parts. My Oxford man of the match was Mousinho. Always composed, a great athlete and a very tidy footballer. Thank God.... back to the topic in hand ..it was getting off track. Starting to read like the prosecution summing up in sex offenders case.
Excellent post and concurs with my own in the main.
Contrary to the doom mongers I really don't think we were that bad. We just were not allowed to play any sort of game in the first 20.
When Henry scored there was a tangible unease amongst the Pool crowd and we could easily have snatched an unlikely point.
I'm afraid I couldn't give Mous MOM he and Ric were out of their depth at full back at times first half. Ho wever had he started in the back three he probably would have because he is a better central defender imo than both Williamson and Nelson and had a fine second half.
I would play him centre of defence just behind Nelson and Williamson and make him captain, he reads the game well and talks to those around him. This would allow Ribs ( when he returns ) and Ric to use their pace and play their game. I still don't think we've seen anywhere near the best of Ribeiros attacking game yet.
We. (My three companions and I ) were unanimous that Henry was H&S above the rest of the Oxford team on the day and would have been the star player.
We also didn't see anything wrong yesterday that couldn't be put right and applaud Peps attempts to change the tactical balance of the game by shifting Mous across and Henry in to RWB.. this gave Henry and Ric more opportunity to stifle the pressure there corresponding backs a and wingers were putting on the flanks and wide midfield.
I wonder if Pep will play that formation again, Henry just in front of Ribs and Nelson as cover could be dynamite.
As for the crowd..I must just mention again justifiably ... wonderful effort by the travelling Oxford fans, Being a scholar I should metaphorically liken it to the following, my favourite of The great Bards writings..
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors, And say "To-morrow is Saint Crispian." Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say "These wounds I had on Crispian's day." Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester- Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
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Post by Paul Cannell on Sept 17, 2017 19:35:03 GMT
"No pasaran" will do me, thank you.
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Post by Pete Burrett on Sept 17, 2017 22:13:22 GMT
Maybe the home club does keep a 'bodies' figure as well, I don't know. But the attendance figures you see in the papers and on social media are for tickets sold, hence the apparent disconnect between official attendance and what you often see with your own eyes, including at Oxford! In reality, knowing how many bodies are in a ground wouldn't really help in an evacuation scenario. Who's going to count supporters as they leave? There certainly wouldn't be an accurate count, so the club wouldn't know if everyone was out or not anyway. But they don't know for definite that everyone is out. That's what I said.
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Post by littlemore on Sept 17, 2017 22:50:51 GMT
Although I don't agree with all what Charlie has to say he isn't wrong that the first half was awful it honestly was. However against Bradford we played some of the best football I've seen us play. This shows we are a work in progress and will have weeks we are great and others we aren't. I would suggest more compact midfield for away games against pacey teams and possibly change of formations depending on opposition. All this will be tried during the season but despite the lose yesterday I'm still quite happy with the season so far.
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Post by arthurturner on Sept 18, 2017 5:50:24 GMT
They'll know if the gentry are out and that's all that matters. Surely an accurate assessment of the actual number of us in the SSU can be made from counting the discarded prawn sandwich wrappers.
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Post by uptheus on Sept 18, 2017 6:45:59 GMT
Are Blackpool a WIP?
Having said that, aren't all teams WIP?
And having said that, aren't we supposed to improve on last season's position?
And anyone who thought we weren't that bad Saturday obviously has a lack of footballing knowledge.
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Post by finlandia on Sept 18, 2017 7:00:33 GMT
I don't think anybody is saying we weren't bad - the question is how we bounce back. Three points on Saturday will get us back on track
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 18, 2017 7:05:55 GMT
It's also a lack of footballing knowledge not to accept were only 8 games into a season with a new manager and 15? Is it new players. People say we must be better prepared against teams that do this or do that, but until u have actually come up against the problem how do u rectify it. We had 30 min spells of brilliance where u can see what we're capable of, and spells where we have been like a rabbit in the headlights and all over the shop. Pep has already shown a willingness to change tactics and formation when needed. But he's still learning as well as the players, some of which are playing 8 games in a row for the first time in 2 years, some which have never lived or played in this country before. We will start to come to a medium where we play well for longer periods.
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 18, 2017 10:45:44 GMT
It's also a lack of footballing knowledge not to accept were only 8 games into a season with a new manager and 15? Is it new players. People say we must be better prepared against teams that do this or do that, but until u have actually come up against the problem how do u rectify it. We had 30 min spells of brilliance where u can see what we're capable of, and spells where we have been like a rabbit in the headlights and all over the shop. Pep has already shown a willingness to change tactics and formation when needed. But he's still learning as well as the players, some of which are playing 8 games in a row for the first time in 2 years, some which have never lived or played in this country before. We will start to come to a medium where we play well for longer periods. I think that that is fair enough. No need to make macro judgements until a quarter of the season in. You've mentioned in a couple of places that Pep is new to management. That is not so. This is his third or fourth stint as the main man. And you mention turnover of players as if that is a long-standing catch-all get-out. It is a factor, but not a damning one. Shrewsbury Town had the identical turnover to us. Third, the nature of the players we have signed points to another big turnover next summer. We don't want it to become the excuse that keeps on giving. So in conclusion it IS fair to ask for patience. But it is also reasonable to expect improvement as the factors you mention diminish. Before Saturday, I agreed that we were ahead if schedule. Not quite so sure now. There are enough games where you drop points in fine margins not to need to throw in a horror show a month. I really, really hope not to have another game when we get steamrollered like that. It's not a good sign.
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 18, 2017 11:14:37 GMT
No one likes losing, and I think that it will have effected the players and management more so than the fans. Pep comes across as someone who goes into the finest detail to get the smallest margins of success. I'm sure he will put it right, it may take longer than some expect or want. But 8 games is not a defining period in a season. Look at scunny last season, they were top for months, look at Barnsley they were bottom for months. That game has probably/ hopefully shown him that unlike mapp we can't have 1 formation fits all, and against teams like that we may have to sacrifice an attacking player and bring ruffles into add numbers in midfield. Or change to 3 at the back. I've not brought into the top six budget and pushing for promotion talk, I think we've made some good appointments, but it's going to take time. I think we will finish similar to last season, then adding a few missing components in the next two windows. And so long as we get some offers on the table early, hopefully no where near the turn over next summer
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Post by Yellow River on Sept 18, 2017 13:00:27 GMT
I wasn't at the game Jerome, and apologies if this point has already been made.
Are some of our more senior players struggling to play 2 games in a week, in particular Williamson and Ricardinho?
Are players such as Obika, and Thomas capable of playing 2 games in a week due to niggling injuries ?
Was it asking to much of Mousinho to play 3 games in 8 days when he hasn't played very much this season up until he joined Oxford?
Just a thought.
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Post by berliner on Sept 18, 2017 13:24:34 GMT
I wasn't at the game Jerome, and apologies if this point has already been made. Are some of our more senior players struggling to play 2 games in a week, in particular Williamson and Ricardinho? Are players such as Obika, and Thomas capable of playing 2 games in a week due to niggling injuries ? Was it asking to much of Mousinho to play 3 games in 8 days when he hasn't played very much this season up until he joined Oxford? Just a thought. I'm sure they're all eminently capable. Getting used to the situation is another thing entirely.
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Post by essexyellows on Sept 18, 2017 13:54:33 GMT
Once we are out of all the cups we can concentrate on the League................you heard it here first!!
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Post by charliesghost on Sept 18, 2017 14:20:37 GMT
If Blackpool are to strong then we have an issue. They have nothing spectacular and they don't look a threat from inside the box. All 3 goals Tuesday from long range. Close down quickly and we'll be fine i reckonm If their scout has done his job he'll have noticed Eastwood gets beaten from distance a fair bit. Closing down and controlling the midfield will be essential if we're to get anything. Only fair to point out when someone has called it exactly right! Blackpool too strong for us and their scout will have told them to take lots of long-range shots. Do you want to take a visit to the bookies with me one day?
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 18, 2017 16:18:39 GMT
If their scout has done his job he'll have noticed Eastwood gets beaten from distance a fair bit. Closing down and controlling the midfield will be essential if we're to get anything. Only fair to point out when someone has called it exactly right! Blackpool too strong for us and their scout will have told them to take lots of long-range shots. Do you want to take a visit to the bookies with me one day? This is what I was getting at, quiet a few of us mentioned before hand about the long ranges shots, and closing down being key , But what would we know Charles 😉 lack of effort or wrong tactics deployed to prevent what we knew was coming ? Or both ?
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Post by davox on Sept 18, 2017 17:28:45 GMT
Just watched the extended highlights! We could have been 4 down by half time! We made Blackpool look good by how pitifully weak we were. 2nd half we obviously had a reaction and certainly competed. That's the 1st time this season I've seen our players standing around ball watching. Let's hope we learn the lesson and this is an isolated incident.
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Post by ox4eva on Sept 19, 2017 8:49:51 GMT
"No pasaran" will do me, thank you. And NO SURRENDER will do for me..
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Post by bigronaldo on Sept 19, 2017 9:37:40 GMT
So, one week we are great, the next shockingly bad. Drawing any conclusions from either at this time of the season is pretty stupid tbh. I mean, last week, Henry was supposed to be shite and needed to be dropped. This week, he was the best Oxford player on the pitch. We are just getting started here. Bedding in so to speak. We can expect fluctuations of form and results for a while. Some people completely throw the dolls out of the pram over one bad performance. I advocate Just a little breathing between venting your spleen people!!!
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Post by horseman on Sept 19, 2017 9:44:13 GMT
It's also a lack of footballing knowledge not to accept were only 8 games into a season with a new manager and 15? Is it new players. People say we must be better prepared against teams that do this or do that, but until u have actually come up against the problem how do u rectify it. We had 30 min spells of brilliance where u can see what we're capable of, and spells where we have been like a rabbit in the headlights and all over the shop. Pep has already shown a willingness to change tactics and formation when needed. But he's still learning as well as the players, some of which are playing 8 games in a row for the first time in 2 years, some which have never lived or played in this country before. We will start to come to a medium where we play well for longer periods. is that not the job of the scouts who i presume we use to watch upcoming opponents as well as the coaches watching various dvd's of matches etc? whilst sometimes on here there is a lot of ott reaction after games win lose or draw i cannot have this only played 8 games in a row first time stuff, they are professional footballers.
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Post by Long John Silver on Sept 19, 2017 11:18:52 GMT
All 3 goals were shots outside the box. Hmmmm Sent from my SM-G930F using proboards The question here is why are they getting those shots away?? We don't play well when teams close us down quickly, and vice versa we get better results (play better) when we do the same - as well as stopping them play, it also forces plenty of errors to capitalise on at this level. Far too many goals and crosses have come from giving opposing players too much space, not closing down and backing off - and it's really frustrating to watch. It's been that way this season, and plenty of our bad performances under Appleton were when we did the same. That's the first thing we should be doing in any game - closing down the opposition quickly to stop them playing - that's not skill it's just effort. Do that first, and then with the players we have we will be in the playoffs - let other teams play and dominate and we will lose plenty and be mid table.
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 19, 2017 11:39:45 GMT
It's also a lack of footballing knowledge not to accept were only 8 games into a season with a new manager and 15? Is it new players. People say we must be better prepared against teams that do this or do that, but until u have actually come up against the problem how do u rectify it. We had 30 min spells of brilliance where u can see what we're capable of, and spells where we have been like a rabbit in the headlights and all over the shop. Pep has already shown a willingness to change tactics and formation when needed. But he's still learning as well as the players, some of which are playing 8 games in a row for the first time in 2 years, some which have never lived or played in this country before. We will start to come to a medium where we play well for longer periods. is that not the job of the scouts who i presume we use to watch upcoming opponents as well as the coaches watching various dvd's of matches etc? whilst sometimes on here there is a lot of ott reaction after games win lose or draw i cannot have this only played 8 games in a row first time stuff, they are professional footballers. They might be professional, but if u have been out for 2 years with injury, ur going to be a bit sheepish about throwing yourself into tackles and challenges to start with. Look at hall when he first came back from injury, despite being fit, it's taken him a while to get going again and play without fear , let alone getting back to some match fitness/sharpness
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Post by outsidethebox on Sept 19, 2017 16:27:39 GMT
Has Highlights posted any analysis yet? Always a worthwhile read.
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Post by horseman on Sept 19, 2017 17:17:47 GMT
is that not the job of the scouts who i presume we use to watch upcoming opponents as well as the coaches watching various dvd's of matches etc? whilst sometimes on here there is a lot of ott reaction after games win lose or draw i cannot have this only played 8 games in a row first time stuff, they are professional footballers. They might be professional, but if u have been out for 2 years with injury, ur going to be a bit sheepish about throwing yourself into tackles and challenges to start with. Look at hall when he first came back from injury, despite being fit, it's taken him a while to get going again and play without fear , let alone getting back to some match fitness/sharpness i would suggest that any player who went into tackles half hearted is likely to risk injury...also if they were not doing the job properly then they wouldn't have got the 8 game run would they?
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Post by oufcyellows on Sept 19, 2017 17:23:47 GMT
They might be professional, but if u have been out for 2 years with injury, ur going to be a bit sheepish about throwing yourself into tackles and challenges to start with. Look at hall when he first came back from injury, despite being fit, it's taken him a while to get going again and play without fear , let alone getting back to some match fitness/sharpness i would suggest that any player who went into tackles half hearted is likely to risk injury...also if they were not doing the job properly then they wouldn't have got the 8 game run would they? No, but it Definitely effects them. Rob hall looked scared any time anyone went near him for the first few months. U hear a lot about getting players up to match fitness. I think it's overlooked more than it should be, it effected us last season as we played with largely the same 11, then when u have to chuck a different player in they ain't up to speed. Made worse since the reserves league was scrapped giving players more game time
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