Away Match Day Thread 22/04/2023 L1: Barnsley v OUFC

[Berliner]

I mean, we have a highly-rated striker on loan from a side higher up in the pyramid who supposed knowledgable people on here claimed would be a great signing, who hasn’t started a single game under a the new manager who claimed that all players had a clean slate and fresh start, and our youth striker who’s been starting up front has just been injured, meaning a left winger/attacking midfielder had to play up front, and we have a massive lack of goals… I don’t think it’s that shocking or insane that people question it!

I classify the Smith thing as no better or worse than the communication of the Murphy situation earlier in the season.
Yet another thing that the club has royally ballsed up.
Apart from the academy, the women, NMcW and his work on the stadium (and the fans, by and large), our club is shot to f*ck from top to bottom.

 

[werthersoriginal]

If the rumours of Robinson’s personal life have any merits, likewise the comments Matty made, then quite simply the blame lies with TW and the board. His personal situation would, and therefore should, have made his position untenable long before January. Matty’s comment if true, highlighting the lack of respect the situation created amongst players.

What were Taylor’s comments meant to be?

 

[holdsteady]

What were Taylor’s comments meant to be?

You must be able to guess the rough just of what they were about by now?

 

[Northernyellow]

We were outclassed yesterday. But remember, Barnsley have won nine home games on the spin, including Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth. We were outclassed but at no time did they look like they would get 3/4+. LM has organised a mediocre bunch of players very well imo. If we can win two out of the next three, we'll almost certainly stay up. Cheltenham are safe, which is good for us. And FGR and Stanley are probably both worse than us. I think we'll make it. Just!

 

[Eaststanding]

As Gordon Strachan said; ‘Everyone goes looking for answers when a team’s not played well, but sometimes you’re just s**t’.

That was us yesterday; slow, laboured and lacking composure, a mile away from Tuesday against Pompey and almost like the squad were saving themselves in a game they weren’t expected to get anything from. Barnsley were good, but not that good.

Best wishes to O’Donkor and I hope it’s not a serious injury but his absence may be a blessing in disguise; another gilt edged chance missed yesterday, chances we simply have to put away.

Improvement from Murphy yesterday but not much else to comment on.
Wildschutt‘s cameo as a 9, I can’t remember the game, tells me he should start there instead of O’Donkor with Joseph and Browne either side.

We, the fans, have a part to play in the remaining games so ffs turn up and make some noise.

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

I would love to know what Manning really thinks. He is very diplomatic when he speaks.
Probably can’t believe a professional club can get into this mess.

 

[Jster]

Yet oddly xG-wise (and I'm aware of its limitations) we were very close to Barnsley (they were 0.83 to our 0.79, meaning the closest fit would be a 1-1.)

 

[holdsteady]

Yeah but xg is B*****s.

 

[yellowbow]

Let’s be honest, even the most optimistic among us had hope rather than any belief we’d get something from the game. It’s gone now, forget it and move on.

Every game is totally different. We have to believe that Cheltenham at home is much more winnable and the prize is massive - more important than a cup final - against an opponent with nothing but pride to play for. If we fail to win then I really will start to get very angry with the players. The fans will be totally behind them from the off. Cheltenham won’t have a massive following there. The incentive to win is huge.

Now it’s over to the players to finally give us something back and become heroes.

 

[Canterbury exile]

Watched on i follow in Spain. Apart from one superb Easty save we held them comfortably for 44 minutes indeed we really could/should have been 1 up. GO’D really has to score a 1 on 1. They looked like a top 4 side in that they were strong, quick and athletic with a solid defence and keeper ( what a save from Wilschut at the end). Possibly Murphy’s most encouraging performance. Branners looks tired and demoralised. Smyth worked hard but gave it away too much though others were guilty of that too. It is obvious to all that we lack a goalscorer or 2 but that is the mess that KR sadly left for Manning. Bodin must start in the 10 role with Browne out wide on Tuesday.

 

[Big Ronaldo]

If we manage to win our next game we will likely drag MK dons back into the mire.
We also have a game in hand on them.
It is absolutely crucial that we get 3 points next as even Accrington can see a way to survive the drop.

 

[SouthOxonOx]

If we manage to win our next game we will likely drag MK dons back into the mire.
We also have a game in hand on them.
It is absolutely crucial that we get 3 points next as even Accrington can see a way to survive the drop.

Our next game is our game in hand on them. IF we win it we go above them with same games played. They will be in serious trouble as I think they have Barnsley next.
Of course we have to beat Cheltenham first....

 

[oldabingdonian]

I was at Oakwell yesterday, sitting with the home S/T holders. They thought we were a cut above the poor teams in the league. They thought Findlay was a weak link, and that Browne was idle and arrogant. When Murphy came on, they asked if that was 'the Jacob Murphy' - they could not understand how a struggling side wouldn't start a player of his quality. I agree that O'Donkor's injury may be a blessing in disguise for the team, it not for the lad himself.
So I would start someone else as a 9 on Tuesday (Windscutt? Bodin? even Goodrham??), and have Murphy wide on the right.

 

[Symp59]

We will win against Cheltenham 2 rest days and get at them early 2-0 up early and get a decent win. Come on fans turn up and shout .

 

[uptheus]

I was at Oakwell yesterday, sitting with the home S/T holders. They thought we were a cut above the poor teams in the league. They thought Findlay was a weak link, and that Browne was idle and arrogant. When Murphy came on, they asked if that was 'the Jacob Murphy' - they could not understand how a struggling side wouldn't start a player of his quality. I agree that O'Donkor's injury may be a blessing in disguise for the team, it not for the lad himself.
So I would start someone else as a 9 on Tuesday (Windscutt? Bodin? even Goodrham??), and have Murphy wide on the right.

Hope you told them why e.g. he’s been f*****g shite all season.

Correct about Browne, been saying that since he was with us the first time around. And Findlay, f*****g liability that guy, not comfortable with the ball at his feet, has one good game in 20.

Bodin’s too weak as the 9, so would possibly try Wildschut or even Smith. Now there’s a novelty, playing a striker who’s scored goals.

And I think Manning can take some blame e.g. been too defensive in games, only sets us up not to concede rather than take the game to the opposition (Morecambe, Port Vale, Bolton 1st half), not including Smith (it’s too late to expect him to do something now), not playing the right system, playing Murphy when he should have played Goodrham, acting like Karl with the Smith situation.

Oh, and don’t get me started on Tim Williams and Grant Thornton, those f*****g two need to go.

 

[uptheus]

Our next game is our game in hand on them. IF we win it we go above them with same games played. They will be in serious trouble as I think they have Barnsley next.
Of course we have to beat Cheltenham first....

And there in lays the issue, not won in 17 f*****g games!

 

[Pete Burrett]

And there in lays the issue, not won in 17 f*****g games!

Yep. Much as I admire the optimism of some fans on this thread, I believe it's misplaced for two related reasons: we can't score and therefore can't win. We could easily draw our last three games and might stay up on goal difference. But is that the extent of our ambition?

 

[Coffin dodger]

Tyler smith hardly demonstrated any reason to start him when he did actually feature

Not many have

 

[chuckbert]

Good luck! I for one would be intrigued to hear about this Dutchman. Friends who've played veterans' football against or with former professionals have mixed reports. But an international player is something else. Would love to hear if he's still different class.

Meh. Sikora didn’t play. We still got humped though.

I’ve played with and against Jake Burns (Leeds, socceroo) at 6 aside and he’s definitely a cut above.

 

[brassmonkey]

Hope the players contracts have clauses about reduced terms if were relegated. Nothing like the incentive of losing money to inspire them.