Away Match Build Up 18/05/2024: L1 Play-Off Final - Bolton vs Oxford

I wonder if Ramon Diaz has any idea about this game, or what league we're in, or what's going on at all. I wonder if he even remembers that he used to be our manager.

Would be nice for him to drop Des a quick WhatsApp.

I think one of the reasons I’m not too nervous (yet!) about Saturday is that the club really feels like it’s in a great place at the moment. Against Wycombe, there was a real sense, especially with the threat of covid looming large, that this was it; we were the heavy favourites against a side that had no right to be in the playoffs, and with the future so uncertain it really seemed like it was an all-or-nothing game.

There was also this really pervasive sense that Wycombe just didn’t deserve it. They were falling like a stone pre-lockdown and would almost certainly hve failed to make the playoffs without that reprieve (leaving aside all the ‘average PPG’ discourse). If Bolton do win on Saturday, I think even the most hard-nosed OUFC would be hard pushed to deny that, over the course of the season, they have been at least the third best team in the division and well worthy of their promotion. Ask me this again at 7 pm on Saturday, but from where I’m sitting now, I really wouldn’t begrudge them the win. They play lovely stuff - that 0-0 at ours was one of the most entertaining games I watched this season, two teams playing a really good, high quality, honest game of football. That’s the kind of team I’d like to see go up, rather than an Ainsworth team of thugs.

If we do lose, and have the prospect of another season in league one to look forward to, I also have a lot of faith in the current management team and remaining squad to make a real go of it next year. We’ve really come into our own in the last few months and the building blocks for next year have been there for all to see. There shouldn’t be too much churn - few loan players, players whose time has come will be moved on but most key others under contract - and the prospect of a really good core to build on. The bond between team and fans hasn’t felt as strong since the last knockings of the MApp period, and I’ll be excited for the season whatever happens.

Whatever happens on Saturday, I love what the club is right now - without getting too gooey-eyed, last Wednesday felt like a special day, with the prospect of more days like that to come regardless of where we are in august. Cannot wait for it, and for the opportunity, at the full time whistle, to show my appreciation for what has turned into one of the most enjoyable oxford teams to support in my supporting lifetime.

COYY

bashamwonderland said:

I wonder if Ramon Diaz has any idea about this game, or what league we're in, or what's going on at all. I wonder if he even remembers that he used to be our manager.

Would be nice for him to drop Des a quick WhatsApp.

Click to expand...

Diaz was manager when Des first started coaching at Oxford, so he may have sent him a message.

Opportunities to get promoted don’t always present themselves every season.
Clubs can throw a heap of cash at it and there is absolutely no guarantee of success.
This is how it is.
When the chance comes though, however fleetingly, you have to grasp it.
This is our chance.
I will be bitterly disappointed come Saturday night if we come up short.
It goes without saying that the club seems to be going in the right direction.
The feel good factor is returning.
Next season could well be our season and I look forward to us making our mark but this is now.
This is the perfect moment.
We can snatch glory under the arch.
What an occasion to do it.

ttg17 said:

I think one of the reasons I’m not too nervous (yet!) about Saturday is that the club really feels like it’s in a great place at the moment. Against Wycombe, there was a real sense, especially with the threat of covid looming large, that this was it; we were the heavy favourites against a side that had no right to be in the playoffs, and with the future so uncertain it really seemed like it was an all-or-nothing game.

There was also this really pervasive sense that Wycombe just didn’t deserve it. They were falling like a stone pre-lockdown and would almost certainly hve failed to make the playoffs without that reprieve (leaving aside all the ‘average PPG’ discourse).

Click to expand...

It was also the annoyance that both on the eye test, and on any statistical measure other than the one that counts, we were the better team that day (3:1 shots, 3:1 possession, 4:1 corners). We just made key mistakes in the key moments, and Wycombe took advantage.

If Bolton are the better side on Saturday, as they have been over the season as a whole, but we still come out on top, I won't feel an ounce of guilt as a result. The Football Gods giveth, and the Football Gods taketh away!

(but in general, agree with the sentiments. Will be disappointed if we don't take this golden opportunity......but next season has the potential to be heaps of fun either way)

bashamwonderland said:

I wonder if Ramon Diaz has any idea about this game, or what league we're in, or what's going on at all. I wonder if he even remembers that he used to be our manager.

Would be nice for him to drop Des a quick WhatsApp.

Click to expand...

"Des, whatever happens, whenever you are defending a corner, leave 6 players up on the halfway line..."

SteMerritt said:

"Des, whatever happens, whenever you are defending a corner, leave 6 players up in the halfway line..."

Click to expand...

"And can I interest you in my really talented grandson, Adriano, Emiliano's lad.

Des? ... Des? .."

tonyw said:

It was also the annoyance that both on the eye test, and on any statistical measure other than the one that counts, we were the better team that day (3:1 shots, 3:1 possession, 4:1 corners). We just made key mistakes in the key moments, and Wycombe took advantage.

If Bolton are the better side on Saturday, as they have been over the season as a whole, but we still come out on top, I won't feel an ounce of guilt as a result. The Football Gods giveth, and the Football Gods taketh away!

(but in general, agree with the sentiments. Will be disappointed if we don't take this golden opportunity......but next season has the potential to be heaps of fun either way)

Click to expand...

Nor should we! I'm not saying we should all be rooting for Bolton to win because they happened to come third; I'm just saying it will be a lot more palatable losing out to a team who probably should be going up anyway, rather than to a team of cheats who have snuck their way into the Championship on a series of extraordinary technicalities.

Also, to your first point, whatever happens Saturday, at least we won't have to endure the sky punditry team creaming themselves over Akinfenwa and 'the Wycombe generals'.

ttg17 said:

Nor should we! I'm not saying we should all be rooting for Bolton to win because they happened to come third; I'm just saying it will be a lot more palatable losing out to a team who probably should be going up anyway, rather than to a team of cheats who have snuck their way into the Championship on a series of extraordinary technicalities.

Also, to your first point, whatever happens Saturday, at least we won't have to endure the sky punditry team creaming themselves over Akinfenwa and 'the Wycombe generals'.

Click to expand...

But Bolton will be the ex-Prem 'sleeping giants', reinvigorated from the brink of extinction.

I'm trying to think of any club in this league that we would get favourable media coverage against in this situation.

Genuine question - if Goodwin is fit to play some part in the game then arguably you’ve got to find room for the only other out and out striker, that you coughed up £400k for in January, on the bench.

In which case - who are you leaving out? Do you drop a defender and leave out one of Leigh or Long? Do you ditch one of the CM’s and drop one of McGuane/McEachran? Or do you remove one of Browne/Bodin - even though both of those tactically give us more options with Bodin offering #10 and CF, whilst Browne potentially covering a winger, #10, CF and even CM at a push?

And all that assumes Goodrham is fit. Not a decision I’d like to make!

Quite a conundrum!

My beard needed a trim a couple of weeks ago, but I made the mistake of not doing it before the Peterborough home leg, so now I’m stuck not being able to trim it until Sunday. (Yes this is the one part of my life where I let stupid irrational superstitions fly unchecked).
It’s got really irritating and I feel like I’m in ZZ top, but I know if I trim it we’ll lose.

unfortunately won’t make the game Saturday, so I’ll be watching on TV with my wife and son. Maybe from behind the sofa. I’m quietly optimistic.

Regardless of the result I’m extremely proud of the club, team and Des. It’s been a tough season in many ways but the last couple of months when everything has clicked has been wonderful.

COYY!!

McXal said:

Genuine question - if Goodwin is fit to play some part in the game then arguably you’ve got to find room for the only other out and out striker, that you coughed up £400k for in January, on the bench.

In which case - who are you leaving out? Do you drop a defender and leave out one of Leigh or Long? Do you ditch one of the CM’s and drop one of McGuane/McEachran? Or do you remove one of Browne/Bodin - even though both of those tactically give us more options with Bodin offering #10 and CF, whilst Browne potentially covering a winger, #10, CF and even CM at a push?

And all that assumes Goodrham is fit. Not a decision I’d like to make!

Quite a conundrum!

Click to expand...

I wouldn’t disrupt the bench for Goodwin tbh.

chuckbert said:

My beard needed a trim a couple of weeks ago, but I made the mistake of not doing it before the Peterborough home leg, so now I’m stuck not being able to trim it until Sunday. (Yes this is the one part of my life where I let stupid irrational superstitions fly unchecked).
It’s got really irritating and I feel like I’m in ZZ top, but I know if I trim it we’ll lose.

Click to expand...

Definitely stay away from the clippers. It worked for us in the Milk Cup Final with several of the team sporting beards!

Anyone know what time and where the team coach will be leaving from today?

By chance I was with my daughter (4 years old at the time) when they left for Wembley from the Kassam in 2010. The "glory awaits you" banner was held up IIRC.

outsidethebox said:

Anyone know what time and where the team coach will be leaving from today?

By chance I was with my daughter (4 years old at the time) when they left for Wembley from the Kassam in 2010. The "glory awaits you" banner was held up IIRC.

Click to expand...

They leave at 15:00 from the training complex.

It’s tomorrow!!! The week hasn’t taken too long to come around.

As much as I want to say I won't be disappointed if we lose because I don't expect us to win, I know I will be!

MustardYellow said:

As much as I want to say I won't be disappointed if we lose because I don't expect us to win, I know I will be!

Click to expand...

Do you want us to feign surprise?