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Post by bigcrompy on Feb 15, 2017 3:31:36 GMT
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Post by eighteen93 on Feb 15, 2017 6:44:27 GMT
Not directly blaming Dunkley for the second goal as I don't know who should have been marking sub. Theo Robinson.
Dunks certainly can have a look at himself for the first goal.
I think he's been playing well snd I rate him but he was poor v Southend as were two or three others.
We move on.
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Post by oldham on Feb 15, 2017 7:11:15 GMT
Pre match... MApp "come on lads get out there and show me that you should be in my starting eleven for Boro next week"
Lads "yeah come on boys lets tear these twats a new one!" Whilst really thinking "I've done enough over the last few games to know that he'll pick me next week, so I'll just go through the motions a bit tonight then hide so I don't get injured, sorted!"
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Post by whitstablexile on Feb 15, 2017 7:36:30 GMT
Disappointed in the manner of defeat. Lots of quality possession in the first half, failure to take chances, concede fairly standard goals against an average team. Sound familiar?
Johnson needs to be up the pitch, Hemmings should be starting imo. I can see why we've not played like this, who makes way? - I think our squad is still a bit unbalanced. Given the number and nature of departures over the summer it's not really a surprise. A top ten is a realistic aspiration I reckon. I'm sure MApp has a plan.
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Post by uptheus on Feb 15, 2017 7:49:05 GMT
Southend United = our voodoo doll. Some great football in first half but we ran out of gas, some of our players looked knackered on the hour. Hall had a terrible game. The pitch was rank, doesn't help our passing style. Credit to the perma tanned goon and his Essex orcs. Good tactics, Plus to be fair they didn't time waste or play act. We don't like big strong opponents. However ... I still fancy us to get a result on Saturday, we will get space to break.... Feel free to bookmark 😉 Didn't waste time!
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Post by charliesghost on Feb 15, 2017 8:00:22 GMT
Disappointing great first half unlucky not to be in front. 2nd half I had hoped they would come out and finish the job but it wasn't to be 1st goal was an open goal for them poor defending for the corner the 2nd not to sure about. Agree with what I heard Nick Harris on the way home a lot of tired legs Problem is, there shouldn't be tired legs yet! In recent weeks we haven't been playing that much, and in the Checkatrade players have been rested. It's the next few weeks when it really ramps up: we've got EIGHT games in March! The time for tired legs is in the middle of that lot! If some players are showing signs of fatigue then MAPP must rest them, even against Middlesbrough. Rothwell and Ruffels are a quality midfield pair who dominated Bradford and Scunthorpe. If they're fit and raring to go they'll out-perform players who are knackered. If we're to make the play-offs, we can only afford 3 or 4 more defeats from our last 16 games. We may be 'only' six points behind, but there are a lot of decent efficient sides between us and 5th place and one or two of them will go on a roll between now and season end. To get past them we will have to do even better. At least 28 points from 16 games to give us a chance equals 8 wins 4 draws and 4 losses. It is do-able, but looking at the schedule MAPP isn't going to be able to do it with 11 players.
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Post by CheltenhamYellow on Feb 15, 2017 8:47:46 GMT
Despite what comes out of the changing room, I doubt Mapp really thinks we should get promoted this year. I think we're far from ready, in many respects, to take on the likes of Leeds, Norwich, Ipswich et al on a regular basis. Southend showed us a thing or two about pragmatism last night, despite our excellent opening 30 minutes. I'd be happy with mid-table solidity, a great performance on Saturday and a Wembley win, quite honestly. And yes, we do look tired.
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Post by ZeroTheHero on Feb 15, 2017 9:20:55 GMT
You could have written the script for that match before it started! It's always the same against Southend.
For all of our decent play in the first half, we only managed 2 shots on target all match. One was a weak Hall shot that went straight at the keeper and the other was a Dunkley header that again was straight at the keeper. Of course there was the Dunkley attempt that hit the post as well.
I thought we didn't get behind them enough, and Sercombe really isn't a wide player - I felt quite sorry for the bloke.
Movement off the ball was lacking, and a couple of the short corners (again) failed to get the ball into the box, which is a crime when your big defenders are there and stranded up the pitch.
Neither team looked anywhere good enough over the 90 minutes to make a go of it in the Championship, but I think we will finish mid-table anyway.
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Post by moroccanyellow on Feb 15, 2017 9:24:34 GMT
We always struggle vs. direct teams. Are Boro direct? I know very defensive. I wouldn't think Boro are direct but I've not exactly made an effort to watch them this season. Like their fans with us. I suspect they are more of a ball to Negredo, feed off of him from there. Negredo's strength and Gestede's aerial prowess vs Dunkley and Nelson worries me
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 15, 2017 9:30:31 GMT
We didn't score, they got bollocked at half time, upping their work rate and the game drifted away from us. Some off refereeing decisions, but the players didn't want it enough after the 1st half. It had to happen some time, and it did today. Glad we don't have to watch them player weekly. Yikes I thought the ref was one of the better ones we've had this season. He was one of the most aware Refs we have had in some time and actually made it out of the centre circle!. I just felt Martinez was hung out to dry again (he's gets little protection that is afforded to other players) and a couple of times we were losers on a marginal decision. It wasn't a a game affecting performance at all, for a change.
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Post by MJB on Feb 15, 2017 9:45:10 GMT
I thought the ref was one of the better ones we've had this season. He was one of the most aware Refs we have had in some time and actually made it out of the centre circle!. I just felt Martinez was hung out to dry again (he's gets little protection that is afforded to other players) and a couple of times we were losers on a marginal decision. It wasn't a a game affecting performance at all, for a change. I wonder if Martinez might get a few more decisions going his way if he wasn't so 'theatrical' when he is genuinely being fouled. I don't think refs like that kind of behaviour and it may be a cultural issue. On a side note, did Martinez give one of their players a bit of a cuff round the head while challenging for a high ball yesterday? A free kick and talking to was given but from far away in the East Stand, it did look like his hand - rather than his arm - made contact with one of their players.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 15, 2017 9:52:01 GMT
He was one of the most aware Refs we have had in some time and actually made it out of the centre circle!. I just felt Martinez was hung out to dry again (he's gets little protection that is afforded to other players) and a couple of times we were losers on a marginal decision. It wasn't a a game affecting performance at all, for a change. I wonder if Martinez might get a few more decisions going his way if he wasn't so 'theatrical' when he is genuinely being fouled. I don't think refs like that kind of behaviour and it may be a cultural issue. On a side note, did Martinez give one of their players a bit of a cuff round the head while challenging for a high ball yesterday? A free kick and talking to was given but from far away in the East Stand, it did look like his hand - rather than his arm - made contact with one of their players. From what I have seen, Martinez has struggled whatever he does and seems to have taken over the Ryan Taylor can't buy a free kick role. He got kicked about on Saturday and got little protection that Hall got. I believe that it was a hand ball, and Agent Orange was wanting a card for the deliberate nature of it. It occurred after Martinez had been taken out and he got frustrated he got nothing from the Ref.
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Post by headingtonutd on Feb 15, 2017 10:09:19 GMT
Pre match... MApp "come on lads get out there and show me that you should be in my starting eleven for Boro next week" Lads "yeah come on boys lets tear these twats a new one!" Whilst really thinking "I've done enough over the last few games to know that he'll pick me next week, so I'll just go through the motions a bit tonight then hide so I don't get injured, sorted!" I didn't see that at all i've got to say. I thought we started harder and faster and with more energy than we have in a long time. We were busy all over the pitch. I had a big smile on my face for most of the first half. Do you honestly suggest anyone was coasting? I would also be surprised that if you offered any of those players the chance to progress one round in the FA cup by winning a Middlesbrough (let's face it, we have next to no chance of winning it and i'm sure they know that) or get themselves up there with a damn good chance of getting into the play offs and making themselves Championship players, that they would go for the league all day. Yesterday was disappointing. We normally start slower, wear teams down and then hurt them but it just didn't happen for us. If Dunkley's effort goes in (I haven't seen the replay so I still have no idea how it didn't) or Maguire's free kick was as in as I had thought it was when I was celebrating, then that would have brought them on to us and we have become a very effect counter attacking side when given the opportunity. They are a good side with a lot of nouse and above us in the league and snapping at the play offs. We are a young side, learning it's way in a new league. Nights like last night will happen. We will learn and if we fall short this year, which I contend would still be a really impressive showing for a rebuilt, young side, then we will be really dangerous next season.
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Post by shaunrice on Feb 15, 2017 10:25:40 GMT
Interesting comments. I think we were fantastic in the first half and with a bit of luck could've been 2 up at the break. In the second they worked harder after a subtle half time discussion:-). But we were still the better side imo. They had two break away attacks, two shots on target and sadly two goals. I think their big unit upfront gave us the run around all night and is exactly the sort of player we needed. My only complaint is that we don't get enough players in the box when we attack all our midfield seem to sit deep and watch. As others has wisely said... we are not ready to go up this season. It's mid table for us I think.
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Post by oldham on Feb 15, 2017 10:30:15 GMT
Pre match... MApp "come on lads get out there and show me that you should be in my starting eleven for Boro next week" Lads "yeah come on boys lets tear these twats a new one!" Whilst really thinking "I've done enough over the last few games to know that he'll pick me next week, so I'll just go through the motions a bit tonight then hide so I don't get injured, sorted!" I didn't see that at all i've got to say. I thought we started harder and faster and with more energy than we have in a long time. We were busy all over the pitch. I had a big smile on my face for most of the first half. Do you honestly suggest anyone was coasting? I would also be surprised that if you offered any of those players the chance to progress one round in the FA cup by winning a Middlesbrough (let's face it, we have next to no chance of winning it and i'm sure they know that) or get themselves up there with a damn good chance of getting into the play offs and making themselves Championship players, that they would go for the league all day. Yesterday was disappointing. We normally start slower, wear teams down and then hurt them but it just didn't happen for us. If Dunkley's effort goes in (I haven't seen the replay so I still have no idea how it didn't) or Maguire's free kick was as in as I had thought it was when I was celebrating, then that would have brought them on to us and we have become a very effect counter attacking side when given the opportunity. They are a good side with a lot of nouse and above us in the league and snapping at the play offs. We are a young side, learning it's way in a new league. Nights like last night will happen. We will learn and if we fall short this year, which I contend would still be a really impressive showing for a rebuilt, young side, then we will be really dangerous next season. It was meant as a tongue in cheek post, I saw what you saw too, I was trying to lighten the mood a little. I'm not one for dissing my team as my posting history will show you.
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Post by MJB on Feb 15, 2017 11:55:06 GMT
I wonder if Martinez might get a few more decisions going his way if he wasn't so 'theatrical' when he is genuinely being fouled. I don't think refs like that kind of behaviour and it may be a cultural issue. On a side note, did Martinez give one of their players a bit of a cuff round the head while challenging for a high ball yesterday? A free kick and talking to was given but from far away in the East Stand, it did look like his hand - rather than his arm - made contact with one of their players. From what I have seen, Martinez has struggled whatever he does and seems to have taken over the Ryan Taylor can't buy a free kick role. He got kicked about on Saturday and got little protection that Hall got. I believe that it was a hand ball, and Agent Orange was wanting a card for the deliberate nature of it. It occurred after Martinez had been taken out and he got frustrated he got nothing from the Ref. Ah fair enough. It looked a very strange movement of his hand but a handball makes more sense. A combination of being 70 yards away and my diminishing eyesight probably explains a lot!
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Post by ryaniobirdio on Feb 15, 2017 11:58:42 GMT
He was one of the most aware Refs we have had in some time and actually made it out of the centre circle!. I just felt Martinez was hung out to dry again (he's gets little protection that is afforded to other players) and a couple of times we were losers on a marginal decision. It wasn't a a game affecting performance at all, for a change. I wonder if Martinez might get a few more decisions going his way if he wasn't so 'theatrical' when he is genuinely being fouled. I don't think refs like that kind of behaviour and it may be a cultural issue. On a side note, did Martinez give one of their players a bit of a cuff round the head while challenging for a high ball yesterday? A free kick and talking to was given but from far away in the East Stand, it did look like his hand - rather than his arm - made contact with one of their players. I had a perfect vantage point - Martinez should have gone. He properly wound back his arm and tried to smash it into the bloke. Luckily he didn't make proper contact and I think that saved him, but he went for him. Good and proper.
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Post by yellowsarmy on Feb 15, 2017 12:22:15 GMT
I still can't see how a team with two shots on target both of which barely worked the keeper can say they were the better side. Yes we played well untill the final third in the first 30 mins but that's like those fake Ferraris that are based upon Toyota MR2 roadster's they look the part and very pretty but against something with a proper engine they are no threat at all.
I don't think we are a bad side but from a goalscoring perspective we are in relegation battle form only Coventry chesterfield Swindon port vale, Oldham and Shrewsbury have scored fewer. It's only our rock solid defense thanks to Dunks and Nelson (Bolton have by far the best defense in the league) that keeps us thinking about playoffs.
We are where we deserve to be, no bogey sides just not as good as Southend. We weren't unlucky stats and my own eyes tell me otherwise.
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Post by Gary Baldi on Feb 15, 2017 13:40:30 GMT
I wonder if Martinez might get a few more decisions going his way if he wasn't so 'theatrical' when he is genuinely being fouled. I don't think refs like that kind of behaviour and it may be a cultural issue. On a side note, did Martinez give one of their players a bit of a cuff round the head while challenging for a high ball yesterday? A free kick and talking to was given but from far away in the East Stand, it did look like his hand - rather than his arm - made contact with one of their players. I had a perfect vantage point - Martinez should have gone. He properly wound back his arm and tried to smash it into the bloke. Luckily he didn't make proper contact and I think that saved him, but he went for him. Good and proper. The Oxford Mail twitter account alluded to a hand ball rather than anything else. I thought it looked like a petulant swing but wasn't clear either way from where I was.
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Post by bigronaldo on Feb 15, 2017 13:50:16 GMT
We were Much the better team last night. They won, fair enough, but they were not a better side than us. We hit the inside of the post. Two really great chances went begging in the second half. One from martinez went right along inside the six yard box.
I think, in hindsight, we actually made the mistake in the second half of playing head tennis instead of getting it down and working it on the floor. They couldn't live with us when we moved the ball.
Disappointing that we got caught on the break for the goals but it seemed to me that we were the ones pushing for the win. No real harm done though, sometimes you just run up against sides that win ugly. Its just a shame that its always Southend or Wimbledon.
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Post by tomox on Feb 15, 2017 13:58:16 GMT
Let's try and keep the positivity going. We've been on a great run and played well first half.
The first goal was always going to be crucial in a tight game like last night and we came close in the first half. If we score first I'd back us to close it out and get the result.
Second half we lost our shape and composure and tried to force things too much.
Not a fan of Sercombe playing wide right by the way.
See you Saturday!
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Post by lambchop on Feb 15, 2017 15:07:08 GMT
Surely if we win every single game in the season 1-0 we will go up as champions and have as good a goals scored tally as a relegated team so I don't get the point in posts about it.
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Post by lerekdilley on Feb 15, 2017 15:08:24 GMT
I thought we were ok last night and a draw would have been a fair reflection. I'm certain we should have been awarded a corner just before they broke and scored (when Martinez outmuscled their CB and the clearance from his cut back looped in the air and seemed to me to be over the line before their player headed it clear)
One thing that did annoy me was almost every single headed clearance we made went straight to a Southend player!!
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Post by dubaiyellow on Feb 15, 2017 16:23:28 GMT
if the highlights on YP are anything to go buy, then we was robbed!
Martinez has to score in the first half, Dunks on another day it goes in, as with maguire free kick. In addition to that, the times we got into their box and wasted opportunities was criminal!.
On the plus side, some of our build up play was a joy to watch.
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Post by shosho on Feb 15, 2017 16:46:52 GMT
if the highlights on YP are anything to go buy, then we was robbed! Martinez has to score in the first half, Dunks on another day it goes in, as with maguire free kick. In addition to that, the times we got into their box and wasted opportunities was criminal!. On the plus side, some of our build up play was a joy to watch. You're not wrong judging by the shot locations (hollow circle = off target, filled with colour = on target, grey filled = blocked).... Oxford Southend
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Post by newyorkyellow on Feb 15, 2017 16:52:22 GMT
We've lost our third game in 20 and suddenly we are mid table material...
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Post by bazzer9461 on Feb 15, 2017 17:29:09 GMT
We've lost our third game in 20 and suddenly we are mid table material... If that's where we end up this season then I for one wouldn't be disappointed but next season MAPP will know what he needs them have a good assault for promotion next season either automatics or the play offs.
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Post by newyorkyellow on Feb 15, 2017 17:41:00 GMT
We've lost our third game in 20 and suddenly we are mid table material... If that's where we end up this season then I for one wouldn't be disappointed but next season MAPP will know what he needs them have a good assault for promotion next season either automatics or the play offs. Before the season began we'd have taken a mid table finish and if that's what happens it's still an incredible achievement considering how far the club has come. I think fixture congestion is the concern but I don't think the team lacks the ability to make the play offs. I do wonder if Fleetwood and their fans are worrying about whether they will cope with the Championship if they get there. It just seems strange to me that a professional sporting team may consciously not try to gain promotion. Maybe I'm a bit too glass half full!
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Post by ryaniobirdio on Feb 15, 2017 18:16:47 GMT
We've lost our third game in 20 and suddenly we are mid table material... I think 30 games down out of 46 and being bang mid table is what makes people think we might be a bit mid table. And I don't see many people moaning about that fact either - I for one am perfectly content and positive for the future. Add some more quality in the summer and keep the core of the squad and we could be onto a winner.
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Post by newyorkyellow on Feb 15, 2017 18:26:34 GMT
Yeah fair enough, I just think our form in this middle third of the season has been incredible. The early part of the season we had a lot of injuries and the new players needed time to settle so our form for quite some time now isn't necessarily mid table. Anyway this is a luxury discussion. The team down the A420 has a lot more to worry about... Being an Oxford fan right now is f***ing brilliant, maybe that's why I get a little annoyed when some fans criticize.
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