Home Match Day Thread 04/05/2024: L1 Play-Off SF 1st Leg - OUFC vs Peterborough

Who was your MOTM?

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What a fabulous night. In fact, the last month at the Kassam has seen some brilliant occasions.

If I’m being honest I don’t think we quite have enough to see off P’Boro in the second leg, and should’ve done more to capitalise on our positional superiority in the first half. Before the game I would’ve been happy to just be in the tie at full time, but on the balance of the first hour I felt like we could’ve scored a couple more. Actually if I’m being really honest I don’t think Bolton fans watching that will feel they have much to fear from either side.

But that’s not the point. Even if we don’t go to Wembley or don’t get promoted that was a cracking night. The fans were superb. The lads who arranged the prematch display should take a bow because that was spine-chilling as the teams came out. The players FOUGHT even if at times they didn’t have the quality to back up the work rate. And we ended up winning. On the big occasion, on Sky, in front of a full house. I don’t know how any Oxford supporter couldn’t feel proud as hell of our club tonight, regardless of what ends up happening in the next game (or two 😈)
 
I'll take the 1-0 advantage but we still have a lot of work to do going in to the away leg. The back four were exceptional, especially Stevens who kept Mason-Clark quiet all game. The players worked extremely hard but seemed to tire after about 60 mins, and the subs didn't seem to add anything. I'm worried about Mark Harris' energy levels going in to another 1 or potentially 2 games; he works so hard, he can't have much left in the tank. All in all a solid performance and brilliant support from the fans. Best home atmosphere we have had in ages. COYY
 
That was great. I’m knackered. Well done Des, I’m looking forward to next season wherever we are. Peterborough have to be slight favourites but they don’t look unbeatable. Hopefully we’ve learned a couple of things and can shut down Randall and the left back on Wednesday
 
As everyone has said back four were quality. I thought both full backs were outstanding, I gave stevens MOM but thought Bennett did equally well on the other side.
Did seem like Peterborough worked out that we tire ourselves out after 60-70 mins and can’t press the same way. Think that could be an issue on Wednesday - our in ability to give Harris any rest could cost us, since means he can’t maintain the high line for full 90 (no criticism of him since think again did a brilliant job.
Fingers crossed for Wednesday - it’s going to be tight.
 
McXal said:
What a fabulous night. In fact, the last month at the Kassam has seen some brilliant occasions.

If I’m being honest I don’t think we quite have enough to see off P’Boro in the second leg, and should’ve done more to capitalise on our positional superiority in the first half. Before the game I would’ve been happy to just be in the tie at full time, but on the balance of the first hour I felt like we could’ve scored a couple more. Actually if I’m being really honest I don’t think Bolton fans watching that will feel they have much to fear from either side.

But that’s not the point. Even if we don’t go to Wembley or don’t get promoted that was a cracking night. The fans were superb. The lads who arranged the prematch display should take a bow because that was spine-chilling as the teams came out. The players FOUGHT even if at times they didn’t have the quality to back up the work rate. And we ended up winning. On the big occasion, on Sky, in front of a full house. I don’t know how any Oxford supporter couldn’t feel proud as hell of our club tonight, regardless of what ends up happening in the next game (or two 😈)
Click to expand...
I dunno. We were always going to struggle last 20. Buckingham simply hasn't got the options to inject energy into a tiring team from the bench. Wednesday is different as Peterborough will need to come at us from the start. The difference is our players will not be tired from the start. If we can keep them from scoring for the first 20, I really feel we have the players to cause them problems on the counter as it opens up.
 
Northstandboy said:
I see on X that we had no penalty spot painted East stand end?!
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If you look at the highlights on YouTube you can't see one at either end, so guessing they just didn't show up on TV?
 
Just a word specifically on Bennett, as he was in front of me in the north stand second half defending, he is a proper footballer.

I was anxious as he was up against Poku he would be exposed for pace. He didn't get tight to Poku, he was always about a step or
two in front of him.

If Poku tried to knock it past he always seemed to be in the precise right position to intercept. If Poku tried to go inside he stepped with him and showed him backwards.

I could tell Poku was frustrated by it.

When footballers talk about "game/football intelligence" this must be exactly the kind of thing they mean. I can completely see why he has played Premier League, a reminder football is played in the brain largely.

I'm sure Stevens was equally as solid I just didn't have quite as clear a view of it.

A smart piece of business by the club. Leigh was my favourite player early in the season and to be keeping a player like him out of the starting 11 speaks volumes
 
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Superb result. A real shift put in by everyone.
Those subs were well timed I thought as we had lost a little of our snap. They had us playing deeper which made it harder to get out but Mark Harris! Take a bow son, that was harrying dog work of the gods.
Brannagan was everywhere too.
Bodies on the line
I really thought Tyler was spent ten minutes before he was eventually replaced but to a man, they all gave us a hell of a performance.

Fans were utterly brilliant tonight. Those surfers, streamers, flags and balloons were so effective.

So now we only need a draw at Peterborough right…?
 
I thought Finley Stevens reminded me at times with socks rolled down aided and abetted with a sliding tackle or two of a young Dave Langan.

Tonight the support was superb and I'm for once happy that I've seen shoots of young Oxford support reclaiming it's mojo. Tonight, has made me feel that I can sit back a little knowing we do have the support for the future.

Let's get the job done Wednesday and get another 35k down the M40 again.

Dreaming of Millwall and QPR away!

COYY'S
 
Wandering Yellow said:
Just a word specifically on Bennett, as he was in front of me in the north stand second half defending, he is a proper footballer.

I was anxious as he was up against Poku he would be exposed for pace. He didn't get tight to Poku, he was always about a step pr two in front of him.

If Poku tried to knock it past he always seemed to be in the precise right position to intercept. If Poku tried to go inside he stepped with him and showed him backwards.

I could tell Poku was frustrated by it.

When footballers talk about "game/football intelligence" this must be exactly the kind of thing they mean. I can completely see why he has played Premier League, a reminder football is played in the brain largely.

I'm sure Stevens was equally as solid I just didn't have quite as clear a view of it.

A smart piece of business by the club. Leigh was my favourite player early in the season and to be keeping a player like him out of the starting 11 speaks volumes
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I would like to think Des will offer Bennet another deal as he has been a revelation
 
McXal said:
What a fabulous night. In fact, the last month at the Kassam has seen some brilliant occasions.

If I’m being honest I don’t think we quite have enough to see off P’Boro in the second leg, and should’ve done more to capitalise on our positional superiority in the first half. Before the game I would’ve been happy to just be in the tie at full time, but on the balance of the first hour I felt like we could’ve scored a couple more. Actually if I’m being really honest I don’t think Bolton fans watching that will feel they have much to fear from either side.

But that’s not the point. Even if we don’t go to Wembley or don’t get promoted that was a cracking night. The fans were superb. The lads who arranged the prematch display should take a bow because that was spine-chilling as the teams came out. The players FOUGHT even if at times they didn’t have the quality to back up the work rate. And we ended up winning. On the big occasion, on Sky, in front of a full house. I don’t know how any Oxford supporter couldn’t feel proud as hell of our club tonight, regardless of what ends up happening in the next game (or two 😈)
Click to expand...
Can’t argue against a word of that
 
Not long back home, took an age to get out of the overflow carpark.

As many predicted it was a tight game, but overall I thought we deserved the win. It’s a slender lead to take to their place though and I can see this tie going to penalties 😳 Two evenly matched sides.

As for tonight, Moore deserved his man of the match, the two fullbacks Stevens and Bennet up against very tricky wingers were excellent.

Harris’ work rate and pressing is off the scale, it’s easy to take Brannigan for granted but once again he was very involved and drove the team on.

Browne and Bodin didn’t offer much and couldn’t seem to get into the pace of the game. Easy in hindsight but we would have been better switching Murphy to the right wing and bringing on Leigh to play on the left.

A word on Cummings, probably his best game for the club, very calm and good positioning.

Great atmosphere, congratulations and thanks to everyone who contributed to the displays, it is appreciated and does make a difference.
 
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What a night, great atmosphere and hopefully proof that football is alive in Oxfordshire and a new stadium is needed. Good decision by Des to pick Stevens and Bennett over Long & Leigh. Its only half time, it will be tough at Peterborough. Whatever happens I admit I wasn't sure about Des, he has proved me wrong and I'm delighted for him
 
Great performance. Quite un-Oxford like in how resilient and seemingly in control we were. I think it’s very clear from the way we retreated the moment we went ahead that a one goal advantage was what we were looking for. There didn’t seem a whole load of intent to go and get a second. Although there were a couple of hairy moments late on I never felt Peterborough were opening us up like Derby did, for example.

Some truly heroic performances tonight - Stevens was outstanding, comfortably my man of the match. Moore is a rock at centre back, we just look more solid with him in there. Brown settled down well after a bit of careless distribution in the early stages. Bennett very assured too. Thought Brannagan and Goodrham were very good. RR did well but felt the booking hampered him a bit. Only disappointment for me was our wide two - Murphy had a frustrating night and Dale, while plenty of vigour, needs more end product. A word for Cumming as well - I’ve been very critical of him but he’s getting better by the game.
 
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