Home Match Day Thread 25/04/2023: L1 - OUFC v Cheltenham Town

[bashamwonderland]

With the usual caveats of staying fit etc, I think there is 40+ goals across a front line of Marcus Browne (left), half decent centre forward and Kyle Joseph (Right). You then chuck in a flying back up / challenger for Browne, a 2nd centre forward, 'plus' Murphy then you are starting to look at strenght in depth in the front 3.

I say 'plus' Murphy because he was exceptional last night, but there is no guarentee he'll do it over a season. His class showed in his lay off to Joseph (not many would have done that) and his superb pinpoint cross for Browne. I recognise that Joseph isn't our player, but I think I've seen enough to hope we put in a bid for him. I don't think he is Championship standard yet, but he appears to have enough in his locker to be capable of ddeveloping into a Championship player.

I loved the way Manning didn't chuck Murphy under the bus a couple of weeks back, he subbed him at half time then left him out and it looks like that got the reaction last night.

I do like the look of Ryan Hardie at Plymouth, if they decide they need stronger options in the Championship then I think he'd be a really decent option. Decent goals record, 6 ft 3 so can lead the line / defend set pieces, and is the sort of player that can bring others in to play.

I'm a bit cautious about Murphy - he's really not interested 99% of the time and has now decided to show up literally just before the shop window opens for summer.

It's a tricky one because we already have Marcus Browne who is partial to his own temperamental performances, I'm not sure we need two in the team.

 

[East Stand Fan]

I'm still trying to work out Goodrham's goal - did it come off his knee or was it a cleverly angled side-foot? Either way, it found the target perfectly!

 

[RyanioBirdio]

I'm still trying to work out Goodrham's goal - did it come off his knee or was it a cleverly angled side-foot? Either way, it found the target perfectly!

He said it bounced off his shin during his RadOx interview.

 

[bazzer9461]

That looks like a great picture of Kyle Joseph pointing in admiration to Josh Murphy after his sublime cross for Joseph’s goal.
Try recognition from Joseph for Murphy.

 

[Wallop]

I haven't said anything about Morecambe. Cambridge have 3 games left. If they beat Accrington and win their game in hand next Weds and MK as in MK Dons win on Saturday, even if we win on Saturday we may need a result against Accrington too.

Correct - in that scenario - we would need to win our final game to be assured of safety. If however, either Cambridge or MK drop any points prior to the final day and we win on Saturday then (ridiculous scorelines aside, we're talking 20-0), we are safe.

 

[pafcprogs]

Same to you I hope you get over the line and enjoy the championship I'm sure we will meet again

It is looking very positive, although of course we are now remembering the 2-2 with a last minute equaliser at Burton which means we aren't already up....


And they are just the sort of land of the giants team we have struggled against.

But Saturday can't come soon enough for us....

Saw the goals on Sky and I reckon with some smart recruitment next season will look a whole lot different under Manning.

How ironic if his arrival at yours sent MK down

 

[Marked Ox]

He's absolutely right to say there was a foul in the build up to the first goal - it was on the goal scorer!

Even if it was a block by TG, he can't moan as his players did the same on a number of occasions, including a blatant one on Marcus Browne that the Ref didn't give either. Another, again on MB, the Ref actually gave a foul to them when MB was running around a Cheltenham player, he deliberately stepped into MB's path to block him closing down the right full back.

 

[RgYellows]

I'm a bit cautious about Murphy - he's really not interested 99% of the time and has now decided to show up literally just before the shop window opens for summer.

He is under contract next year. If he is putting himself in the shop window to earn us a transfer fee, I am all for that.

I'd be more sceptical if he was playing for a new contract. As it is, it's win-win.

Try recognition from Joseph for Murphy.

This was 100% my interpretation from the East Stand. We will all have our opinions, but I thought it was clear from the reaction that the rest of squad like Murphy and want him to do well.

 

[Cotswolds Cowboy]

How much did you make, for interest's sake?

I only had £5 on
Cashed out for about £40

 

[Berliner]

I only had £5 on
Cashed out for about £40

Better than a kick in the knackers. And will be a nice couple of pints if (when) we stay up.

 

[ChamonixOx]

After the last game of (Barnsley), whilst not questioning Browne's talent, I did question his effectiveness and whether he was one of Robinson's failed gambles. Having watched yesterday's game, he certainly showed how effective he can be and be a star player. Likewise Murphy.

Above said, special mentions for Moore, Findlay, McGuane, and Brannagan - absolute rocks and tireless effort throughout. Joseph also deserves mention, but could equally add Long, Brown, et al. and others. The press and shape under Manning has been so much more organised and effective, and last night was exceptional. Two more games to achieve what I was starting to think might not be possible, staying up. Well done, Oxford and LM in particular!

Edit: Just saw Nadi's comment which is saying similar regarding the four special mentions

 

[ChamonixOx]

He is under contract next year. If he is putting himself in the shop window to earn us a transfer fee, I am all for that.

I'd be more sceptical if he was playing for a new contract. As it is, it's win-win.



This was 100% my interpretation from the East Stand. We will all have our opinions, but I thought it was clear from the reaction that the rest of squad like Murphy and want him to do well.

Interesting Findlay with Murphy, got the impression he has been, and was being really supportive towards him, as was the squad generally. And yesterday he showed what he can do!

 

[Manorlounger]

I can hear that upstairs, Mrs L is watching the highlights, again! I've done the same. It's just a pleasure to watch us score, and win! More of the same please.

 

[werthersoriginal]

After the last game of (Barnsley), whilst not questioning Browne's talent, I did question his effectiveness and whether he was one of Robinson's failed gambles. Having watched yesterday's game, he certainly showed how effective he can be and be a star player. Likewise Murphy.

Above said, special mentions for Moore, Findlay, McGuane, and Brannagan - absolute rocks and tireless effort throughout. Joseph also deserves mention, but could equally add Long, Brown, et al. and others. The press and shape under Manning has been so much more organised and effective, and last night was exceptional. Two more games to achieve what I was starting to think might not be possible, staying up. Well done, Oxford and LM in particular!

Edit: Just saw Nadi's comment which is saying similar regarding the four special mentions

It's a collective thing, everyone did their job and helped us function as a unit.
Cheltenham hardly got a kick and the vaunted Alfie May was invisible.

 

[uptheus]

He's absolutely right to say there was a foul in the build up to the first goal - it was on the goal scorer!

No, Goodrham blocked off their players which allowed more space for Long. Clever bit of play.

It was a bit like Murphy did to Alfie May to stop him from getting to Browne, hence why May lost it and pole-axed Browne!!

 

[RyanioBirdio]

It was a bit like Murphy did to Alfie May to stop him from getting to Browne, hence why May lost it and pole-axed Browne!!

Genuinely couldn’t believe that nothing happened on that one. He could’ve broken Browne’s leg and made no attempt to play the ball. There’s an argument that it was a red let alone a yellow. Pure malice.

 

[uptheus]

I'm still trying to work out Goodrham's goal - did it come off his knee or was it a cleverly angled side-foot? Either way, it found the target perfectly!

He just hit it more in an attempt to just get something on it/direct it towards their 6 yard box/goal, but came off his shin into the goal. Wasn’t intentional, but who cares!

 

[Manorlounger]

Utterly politically incorrect but, amusing.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1651150340144906240

 

[WRox]

I'm a bit cautious about Murphy - he's really not interested 99% of the time and has now decided to show up literally just before the shop window opens for summer.

It's a tricky one because we already have Marcus Browne who is partial to his own temperamental performances, I'm not sure we need two in the team.

When they’re fit and on it like last night, both are unplayable at times. We just need a couple of reliable options - both in terms of fitness and performance, to balance them in the squad. Wildschut and Bodin are arguably lesser versions of the same thing. To reference former players, Ryan Williams or Alex MacDonald were never world beaters at this level but never let us down, a type like that this season would have been much more useful than Wildschut, Bodin, Henry etc.

I’d be doing absolutely everything possible to try and retain Kyle Joseph on a similar note. Consistently performs well wider and showed last night that he can step in to cover the absence of a frontline striker. He’ll be a Championship player if he improves his goal threat, but could hit double figures for us this season anyway.

 

[Common Villager]

I think some are getting a bit carried away with last night in all honesty. It was a good performance and a much needed win, but it came against a poor side who were just coming off the back of a derby-day win. The first half was fairly even. The second goal, made by Murphy, killed the game off.

Talk of Browne/Joseph/Murphy scoring 40 goals is dreamland stuff, imo. If we do stay up, we still have a lot of work to do in the summer to correct the failures of the last 3 or 4 windows.

We should win on Saturday, and I hope the players carry the confidence gained from last night's win into the match.