Home Match Day Thread +++ 25/10/2019 L1 OUFC v Rochdale MDT+++

[bazzer9461]

That was as one sided a game as you will see all season.
We absolutely passed them out of existence.
Even if they had kept eleven on the pitch, we would still have comfortably beat them.
Our football was of another level to them today.
Some of our switch play was sublime, carving passes to willing feet was a joy to watch. Brannagan, Baptiste. Sweeping left and right, I struggle to recall a side of ours so brim full of talent and, Just when you think we are a bit stretched on the bench... Cadden comes off and on comes Sam Long and plays like that! Terrific!!
All runs come to an end, but I look at this squad and see a team who are like a swarm of angry f*****g ants, I don’t think that they are in any mood to let up just yet.
Brilliant performance lads just brilliant.

Just felt we could have scored more in the 2nd half that’s my only gripe but other than that we were superb.

 

[SteMerritt]

 

[dickwalton1964]

I agree with what Robinson said that there are definite signs Hall is getting there. Looks much stronger than he did early season and you can see he’s thinking quicker when in possession. What a bonus that’d be to get him back to anywhere near his old self. I’ve sort of accepted him being a bench player at best this season but he’d be like a new signing if he can get fully up to speed by Christmas.

 

[BristolOx]

I agree with what Robinson said that there are definite signs Hall is getting there. Looks much stronger than he did early season and you can see he’s thinking quicker when in possession. What a bonus that’d be to get him back to anywhere near his old self. I’ve sort of accepted him being a bench player at best this season but he’d be like a new signing if he can get fully up to speed by Christmas.

I’ve been highly critical of Hall (probably unfairly) but you’re absolutely right - an old-school Hall would be like a new signing, he’s still lost a yard of pace but I don’t doubt he can’t perform at this level if he can match his previous standards.

 

[holdsteady]

At this early stage of the season I'm not sure why anyone is worried about games in hand. If we keep playing like we are, we will be fine

It’s a new one for me, worrying about games in hand in October, 30 games still to go as well.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[Marked Ox]

Well that was easier than expected which is strangely worrying saying!

Should have been more but a great performance. My motm was Alex Gorrin, his reading of game allowed everything else to happen.

Pleased for Sam Long and Josh Ruffels with their goals.

The 2nd half was literally us having an attack Vs defence training session as Rochdale just set up not to concede. We really should have scored another 2 or 3 minimum. This contributed to a surreal atmosphere I think, as it is a weird feeling watching an Oxford game, 2-0 up, with half an hour to go knowing you've already won (it almost felt slightly wrong).

Hopefully Cam B and Cadds are fine.

Pity Sykes didn't score after that great run as he looks like he just needs a goal. Certainly he was involved in the game a lot which was good.

Nice SKILLZ from Sam Long and Josh Ruffels towards the end. Sam Long's 1st touch was fantastic today with one flick on being particularly superb.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1188130591906119681

 

[Yellow River]

Excellent result and Performance , and let’s not forget that Rochdale had won their previous 3 games prior to today.

In some ways we actually played better against 11 than 10, lacking a little bit of urgency in the second half, but hey no complaints from me, we were simply cruising.

If we can keep this squad together beyond January and have some luck with injuries and suspensions then it really could be a special season.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1188101597123043328

 

[Mad Dog]

Awful conditions, but great performance!

Eastwood had virtually nothing to do all game, but kept his focus well, with some good work with his feet when called upon.

Cadden was excellent first half, with great work up and down the right, hopefully his injury is nothing serious.

Dickie was immense, best centre back in the league, a real leader now.

Mous was superb, so assured on the ball, never put a foot wrong.

Ruffels is the best left back in the league, great energy and stamina, good use of the ball, and a great moment of skill in the 2nd half.

Brannagan was amazing in the first half, the 50/50 tackle clearly hurt, but sparked him into life, and he passed Rochdale off the park after that, hope to god his knee is ok.

Gorrin was brilliant, does so much good work, tackling, intercepting, breaking up play, turning the ball over, and getting the team going again, with some excellent passing as well. MOTM for me.

Henry was great again, passed the ball brilliantly, and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Fosu was excellent, great strength, skill and balance, great defensive play, took his goal brilliantly, what a player we have there.

Mackie is simply awesome, so much commitment, if only he could finish his chances better, love him to bits though!

Sykes was very good, skilful, pooks his foot in, chased back well and won the ball back after losing it, shame he didn’t get on the scoresheet when he had his chance, as it would’ve done him the world of good.

Baptiste ticked over well, and grew into the game as the 2nd half went on.

Hall looks like he’s getting fitter and fitter now, and showed some signs of the old magic today, and I’m hopeful he may be coming back to form.

Long was fantastic! Such a good player, solid as a rock, great going forward, great commitment, and took his goal well, if Cadden does go in January, we’ve got an amazing replacement in Sam Long.

A great team performance, with and without the ball, long periods of possession, with excellent passing, movement and desire, in such awful conditions, the entire team put in a superb display!

Well done lads, keep it up!

Bring on Sunderland!

 

[bazzer9461]

Did feel Gorrin shaded it for MOM

 

[BigAlan]

I reckon Eastwood will miss tuesdays game with a cold, had nothing to do apart from try to keep warm.

 

[MC Yellow]

Absolutely buzzing after another accomplished performance. It could easily have been 6 yet again, but I’ll take those stats any day of the week.

Interesting to read some comments on their forum. We are clearly starting to earn respect for our performances and run of results. Good level of respect from some of their posters.

Can’t wait for Tuesday night ??

 

[tonyw]

Another win carries on the run! 10 unbeaten. Heady times! Just as an aside if we get to quarters on Tuesday is that first time since 1998 (when we met Chelsea in FA cup)

The Chelsea game in 1998 was only the 4th Round of the FA Cup (i.e. Last 32).

The last time we were in the quarters of a major cup competition was the League Cup in 1987-88.
(and we beat Man U 2-0 then as well.....only to lose to Luton in the semis).

So it would be a first for a generation of fans.


We're on one of those runs where everything looks so easy, and we're a class apart from almost everyone we play (n.b. extra credit to Accrington and John Coleman for finding a way to hang with us!).

It has to end some time - it's a long season, at some point we're going to pick up injuries and players are going to run into patches of poor form - but until it does, everything is pretty glorious.......

In fact, I genuinely don't think I've felt this good about an Oxford team since Denis Smith's 95/96 side.
As good as Mapp's League Two promotion side was - it never put a run together that was this impressive.
And whilst Wilder's conference sides did on occasion......that was also the conference, and half of the opponents were tinpot!

 

[tonyw]

I can't help but wonder if Sykes is a better player when he's not in the team than when he is - not digging the player, but he's quite patchy at the moment and wasteful. He'll get there though.

Tend to agree.....
.....I love Sykes' energy and positioning, but his passing, finishing and final ball is rather hit and miss at the moment.
Being the weakest link in the current side isn't really an insult - it still means he's a very good player - but I think that's what he is right now.

 

[SteMerritt]

we beat Man U 2-0 then as well.....only to lose to Luton in the semis

Ah, the Gary Briggs diving header from outside the box to score ? great times...

 

[Didcot Yellow]

Great performance, won the game at a counter. Hall looks to be progressing, even if he has lost a yard of pace he is still so quick and can be a real asset. Think Sykes and Baptiste weren't as good as they can be, but I have no doubt that given time they will improve and get more towards their best

 

[Oldham]

Ah, the Gary Briggs diving header from outside the box to score ? great times...

??

 

[Marked Ox]

Ah, the Gary Briggs diving header from outside the box to score ? great times...

Was that the "Fergie out" game?