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Post by Yellow River on Nov 30, 2017 10:52:43 GMT
So the clock's ticking then? Will we hear something today/tomorrow. I get the feeling something has stalled again. Total guess work but I get the feeling that although DE is keen to do a deal for further investment in the club, it is very much on his terms rather than Tiger & Co dictating, and this is perhaps the delay. Tiger has probably reported back to the real money men and they're mulling it over.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 30, 2017 10:34:51 GMT
Sherbet.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 28, 2017 19:31:38 GMT
I was having a think about Payne recently with some colleagues. The long and short of it is, the team is shaped to fit around him. Now when he's playing well, that's fine. He's clearly the best technical footballer at the club. But it's become apparent that quite often he either a) has a bad game or b) teams adapt a 'stop Payne at all costs' system. Then it gets problematic. Essentially the only role Payne can play effectively is ACM - or a second forward - let's examine how that plays out across the team: - He needs a big forward alongside him. Someone to buy him space. Either someone stretching the line, running off the shoulder (Wes and GVK) or an aerial battering ram (Obika). - If we were to play 4-4-2 Payne would have to do a lot more dirty work in a midfield pairing, which wouldn't be effective. The only way around this would be a midfield 3 - which means no wingers. (Considering our options right now, I wouldn't mind seeing a 4-3-1-2) So when Payne plays, we have to play certain type of striker alongside him, to make space for him, and we have to play at least two midfielders behind him. It sort of ties Pep's hands a bit. The brave thing to do is to drop Payne from time to time when required. Then we could have a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 or more or less anything you want. But when people ask: 'why do we always play one up top?' the short answer is we have to if we want to get the best out of Payne. Another option is to play 4-4-2 with Payne on the left, admittedly not his best position, but he's good enough to be quite effective there. Eastwood Tiendalli, Williamson Mousinho, Ricardinho Henry, Ledson/Xemi, Ruffles, Payne Thomas, Obika We know that Henry is better on the right. Payne is left footed so play him on the left and you can be sure he'll work hard and help out defensively. So you have Tiendalli, Henry and Ledson/Xemi all right footed in one triangle, with the left footers Ricardinho, Ruffels and Payne on the left hand side of the pitch. Certainly highlights our lack of pace throughout the team though and lack of genuine wingers.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 25, 2017 17:51:17 GMT
Jerome's take on this takeover stuff for those who are still interested but didn't hear it: From what he understands initial talks have taken place but it's still nowhere near a concluded deal and it might not even happen. He said 'put it this way, there's no need to be setting your alarm clocks for 6 am Monday morning!' Jeromes quote: 'There's no takeover, there are talks but no takeover' Ha! Jerome's comments should add another 5 pages to this thread.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 25, 2017 14:06:41 GMT
Martin & Ledson drop to the bench
Williamson & Xemi start.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 24, 2017 18:31:59 GMT
Pretty sure we beat Oldham... That was a nice sunny day and looking at our other victories I think the weather was good on those days as well! Our defence certainly does not like the dark - Cheltenham (4 goals conceded), Bury (3), Stevenage (2), Port Vale (2), MK Dons CTT (4), Blackburn (4), Bradford (2) Forecast is sunny for Southend tomorrow, plus it's a southern team. The omens are good.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 24, 2017 15:58:44 GMT
Modern footballs today are lighter than the old rain soaked leather balls.
However a review is long over due, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there is a link.
Heading is a fundamental part of the game of football and a great skill to those who do it well, I can't see a ban in the near to medium future, maybe some sort of head protection, but suspect we're some way off from that.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 24, 2017 15:40:38 GMT
As I've said on another thread we are unbeaten in the league this season against sides geographically further south than ourselves.
This isn't about to change.
Score draw, 2-2 Ranger 2, Payne 2.
After the match Nathan asks Pep if the players were more fockused and had learnt from their mistakes against Blackburn. Naughty Nathan.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 24, 2017 12:07:52 GMT
Pretty sure we beat Oldham... Well spotted, of course we did! Still unbeaten in the 'south' though.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 24, 2017 11:08:31 GMT
Here's one for all you Statto's out there, it really is grim up North for OUFC this season....so far. Regardless of whether it's been a home or away League fixture we're not lost to a team which is geographically further south than us and only won once against a team further north. Teams we've beaten in the league; Portsmouth, Gillingham, Peterborough, Wimbledon, Bristol R, Plymouth, and a draw against Charlton. Teams we've lost to in the league; Scunthorpe, Blackpool, Walsall, Bury, Fleetwood, Northampton, Blackburn, and draws against Shrewsbury, MK, Bradford & Rotherham. Peterborough the only Northern' team we've beaten., and unbeaten in the 'South' The pattern continues in the FA Cup & League Cup Competitions, losing to both Port Vale & Cheltenham. So by my reckoning we won't be beaten on Saturday at Southend.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 23, 2017 21:30:26 GMT
How big are the subbuteo figures? How about putting some of them goalside of the attacking players they are supposed to be marking? Quite big. ⬅️
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 23, 2017 21:22:27 GMT
All three sound like Pep type signings, and at this stage no more than stop gap until the end of the season I'd have thought. Whether any of them are suitable ( or even match fit ) for the rough and tumble of English League 1 football is unknown. Augustine is probably the pick of the bunch but a central midfielder is not the most pressing concern. The other two play in positions where we really do need to strengthen but appear to have very little pedigree.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 15:13:21 GMT
That looks like end for Aaron Martin. I very much doubt we'll see him again when we have other fit CBs. Some awful errors. In a way a feel a bit sorry for him, no one makes a mistake on purpose, but there can be no sentiment in professional football. As a former central defender myself albeit at a lower level and a good few years ago, I was of the view "if in doubt, boot it out"
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 15:04:29 GMT
No, I'm not referring to rumours of new owners or the internecine warfare raging on the forum, I mean our first team performances. Three poor defeats versus Blackpool, Walsall and Bury. Bury was a complete disaster. Then we crush Peterborough (away) to embark on a six match undefeated run. Things improving. Then four successive defeats, all very poor performances. But what then? We win 4-0 at Plymouth. OK, not a top side but we turned them over. Cue criticism of those who'd shown displeasure at recent debacles. Then tonight. Well, at 0-3 down a third of the way through the match I'm predicting defeat, but will happily eat humble pie if Pep initiates a comeback. Can anyone remember such a bizarre, inconsistent season? Can anybody hazard a guess as to why it's happening? We play risky football which we can get away with against lesser sides but when a decent team presses us we too often lose the ball in bad areas by trying to play our way out which leaves our defensive line going the wrong way, the fact that we lack pace means we can`t recover in time, this leaves huge gaps and decent teams will score goals. I`m not a fan of hoofball but if it nullifies the pressing and forces the opposition to re think and drop back then we can start with our passing game. Our defensive organisation could also be better at times, not sure what Ricardinho was up to for the first goal that came in from the corner last night.
[/b] He and another player (Rothwell?) ran towards the corner flag to prevent a short corner, Ricardinho got caught in no mans land as he tried to get back to the near post from where he came. If this was a deliberate tactic from Blackburn then it worked a treat as the Brazilian was out of position to challenge the near post flick-on corner.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 13:19:44 GMT
Comes across as a decent chap, and a good professional too. Unfortunately I don't think we saw the best of him on the pitch.
He must be gutted, a difficult thing to come to terms with but it sounds as if he's got his head screwed on, so hopefully a successful career for Christian in the future.
Good luck!
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 10:41:05 GMT
Former Shadow Cabinet member Ian Murray tabled an amendment to a government bill which would have prevented duties being charged on imports to the UK after the country quits the EU.
Remain-backing Labour MPs, as well as some Conservatives, voted for the move in the Commons the other evening.
However, the amendment was defeated by 311-76 after Labour MPs were whipped to vote with the Government against it.
I don't understand why Labour's frontbench ordered MPs to vote against a bid to keep the UK in the single market and customs union, Corbyn and McDonald's position on Brexit is very confusing.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 9:04:58 GMT
Biggest positive....the Ultras did not stop singing, even when we went 3-0 down in 20 mins. Well done chaps. Great support from the ultras. Rovers fans must be some of the quietest that have come to Oxford this season. A short chant after each goal and that was it.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 22, 2017 8:53:55 GMT
Men against boys for the first 30 mins last night.
No genuine wingers in the side, no genuine pace.
Losing Nelson is a huge blow, unfortunately Martin is not up to it, Raglan please get match fit as soon as possible.
Hope I'm wrong but starting to get the impression that losing doesn't hurt enough (to some) from the top of the club to the supporters. I Don't get this "No need to be alarmed we drew the second half and it was entertaining" stuff. Worrying complacency.
And another thing that really annoys me is this..... we get a free kick 5 or 10 yards inside the opposition half and ALWAYS take it quick and short, often sideways and eventually backwards. Ok I know it's the Pep way and it's all about retaining possession but in once in a while just mix it up a bit, send the centre-halves upfield and launch the ball into the penalty, give the opposition something else to think about.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 21, 2017 17:08:39 GMT
Rovers are out-battled, out-played and out-thought by a rampaging Oxford side.
2-0 Oxford (should've been at least 4) Payne, Henry.
Come 9.45pm we are in a play-off position and the leagues top goal scorers.
Caller to RadOx bemoans the lack of a 20 goal a season striker and refers to Daryl Eales as Pinocchio.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 20, 2017 14:10:52 GMT
La La Land.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 20, 2017 13:32:36 GMT
Surely yellowriver has to start the match thread? Never heard of winner stays on? Oh dear! The Forum Gods will not be happy. Only way to rectify the situation is the sacrificial banning of certain posters. Ok who's dispensable?
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 20, 2017 10:22:39 GMT
Journalistic delaying tactic by Mr B. He's been tipped off that there's going to be a huge announcement regarding OUFC in the next few hours and is waiting to sneak it into his Fans View.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 20, 2017 9:39:25 GMT
Surely if something was imminent SOMEONE in the local media would pick up on it? There's been diddly squat. Nada.. Was anything mentioned on RO on Saturday? RadOx on Saturday Jerome responded to a text from someone asking if a takeover was happening. He said they have asked the club, there was no outright denial (or words to that affect) just a 'no comment' My personal view is that this is going to be a huge week for OUFC.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 19, 2017 14:46:21 GMT
Junior posted on this forum in the middle of last week...re- Ribeiro. Heard he will retire due to injury upon his contract expiring.. May be wrong but this chap was spot on about a fair bit of late..
Wasn't he referring to Rob Hall? I may have missunderstood, but fairly sure he was referring to Ribeiro. Hopefully it's not true, would be gutting for the player.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 19, 2017 13:15:02 GMT
Oxbible has posted a rumour not sure from where but it’s been uploaded onto F/B, but apparently wont be playing again due to a knee injury. Sorry I can’t paste it but it’s on F/B Junior posted on this forum in the middle of last week...re- Ribeiro. Heard he will retire due to injury upon his contract expiring.. May be wrong but this chap was spot on about a fair bit of late..
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 19, 2017 9:37:57 GMT
After a week of being negative I'm jumping back on the positive bus and looking to see where we can get the 8, or so, wins we need to ensure survival. There, you can't get much more positive than that! Soon to be renamed the positive tuk tuk 😉 I'm thinking about traveling in Pep's Positive (Ox)Ford Fockuuuus.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 19, 2017 7:59:28 GMT
Comment from the Plymouth forum. Three things oxford had: A striker who can find the back of the net Commitment and passion A manager who can manage I love the diverse opinions of football fans. Another comment from their forum...... We came up against a decent team, yes they have been on a bad run, but they are a good footballing team that comfortably outplayed us. How I would love some of the pace they have to be in our team.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 18, 2017 19:29:49 GMT
As I've said before we're a real Jekyll and Hyde team, when we're good we're really good and when we're bad we're horrid.
Although I'll be relieved when we reach 50 plus points the reality is that we're almost certainly too good to go down but not nearly consistent enough to get into the play-offs.
Really pleased for Tiendalli & Martin today, they've copped a bit of criticism recently but showed today that they've got something to offer the team.
Tuesday against Blackburn will be a serious test. COYY.
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 18, 2017 17:03:08 GMT
First time match thread creator. Argyle 0 Oxford 3 Thomas, Payne, Obika. The mighty yellows show plenty of resolve, spirit and no little skill to trounce the men in green. Pep goes against his natural instinct with a 4-4-2 formation and is declared a tactical genius. And flying pigs are seen over Grenoble Road, and Charlie admits he’s wrong. Think I just saw at least one pig flying down the Grenoble Road. Am I now chief match thread creator?
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Post by Yellow River on Nov 18, 2017 9:19:09 GMT
Not sure if its total rubbish, guess work or on the nose but some fella mentioned on Twitter that "oufc are set to sign Slovenia international winger Dejan Lazarevic on a free transfer following his release from Verona in the summer" Anyone heard this elsewhere? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejan_Lazarevi%C4%87_(footballer)According to the Wiki page you linked to, he has never been with Verona in the first place, so I guess the rest of the Tweet is just as inaccurate! He's currently with or just left Chievo, their full name is A.C.Chievo Verona. So the rumour must be true.
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