Away Match Day Thread +++ 19/02/2019 Accrington v OUFC Match Day Thread +++

[Davox]

Just seen the highlights and Robinson’s interview. Firstly, he looks a beaten man who’s out of ideas and motivation.
Secondly, the defending for all of their goals and chances was Sunday League stuff. Stick to a man and those chances don’t happen. Their second goal was a case of us backing off. We have 2 guys playing full backs who simply can’t play the position and we have cumbersome central defenders. I hate to say it but we’re down already.

 

[Oxfordpete]

I have to say that I am very very worried about KR and his ideas and tactics. As much as I don’t think Dickie is good enough, but to put Mous back into the centre of defence, after he did so badly last season, and when he has done comparatively well in midfield, once Kashi was taken sick, instead of sticking with the same back 4, which ok haven’t been brilliant, but with Mous in front of them, KR decides to start with musical chairs, well a huge own goal, Sykes had a good game, Mackie didn’t have one of his best, but why oh why play only one up front.
I would have started with the usual back 4 (even tho I don’t rate them) with Brannigan and Mous in front, 2 wingers putting in plenty of crosses for 2 up front
4-2-2 we can out good crosses in, but we need someone, well more than 1, in the box waiting and wanting the crosses
I have finally come to the decision that either KR hasn’t got a clue or the players just aren’t doing it for him

 

[Fistfullofdollars]

Careful now. You’ll get in trouble suggesting that it’s possible he in fact isn’t brilliant AND loved by all of the players.

What a strange post
I can’t recall seeing anyone say he is brilliant and/or universally loved.
Some have said he is working in challenging conditions, some have suggested more time for him for example
Wish people wouldn’t make stuff up to support their arguement, you have more than enough ammo to be getting on with based on current performances and predicament.

 

[Reynolds97]

Utterly embarrassing yet again, the decision to send Raglan out on loan which we all questioned at the time has back fired on us last night.

How can Robinson not see Mousinho cant play CB? Hanson is not a RB either, like his passion but poor defending for the 3rd goal and has let us down in 3 or 4 games now.

Comments questioning specifically Eastwoods performance from Robinson were pathetic as well, would be rock bottom without him.

Next stop league 2 I'm afraid.

 

[Anthomic]

I thought we were doomed as soon as I heard that Mous was playing in the back four. If KR doesn't no know better than that by now he never will.

 

[Shosho]

There does appear to be a pattern with Mousinho in the back 4 and Brannagan as holding midfielder that I thought we learnt from at the start of the season...

 

[Upthecowboys]

Have to say, KR so defensive tonight I think he may have his job on the line.

If tiger has the ability to appoint someone competent we will see.

The certainty is that the team assembled isn’t cheap...which player has improved under KR coaching/management?

Plenty of good managers out of work that would be a big upgrade on KR....hurst, bowyer, Grayson, Appleton, clarke

If Tiger doesn’t sack KR it has to be down to finances or pride i.e doesn’t want to admit he has made a mistake.

An incoming manager would have a free hit. Can say he inherited a relegation threatened team if we go down or be the saviour if we stay up. Regardless of what is happening behind the scenes that could make it an attractive proposition.

Financially if relegated we’ll take a hit on lower crowds / less season tickets but a number of players are likely to push for a move and we’ll struggle to get their proper value. I can’t see Whyte, Brannagan, Eastwood wanting to hang around in Div 2. If we were to sell them I’d rather do it from a stronger position. There will be another huge turnover of players if we’re relegated, we’ll be starting again.

It might make financial sense for Tiger to sack KR. Although Tiger’s decision making to date leaves a lot to be desired, he’d struggle to recruit a worse manager than KR. KR and Derry need to go now.

 

[unification]

Yep back to basics. The wingers are great but they have little in the box to aim their crosses at. The solution is 4:4:2. Two wingers with two from Mous/Carruthers/Brannigan/Henry in midfield. Mackie and Sinclair up front or even Browne.

I’m erring towards that system too. The issue for me is that KR’s system is designed to push wingers wide to send in deliveries. I can’t fault the system in that it does that - we simply haven’t had any form of target for those deliveries all bloody season! It’s why we give the appearance of being a decent side from time to time but we’re pieces short of a puzzle.

If we can’t convert crosses (and don’t get me started on set pieces and corners ...) then let’s allow for the option to go wide but with more options in the middle. My starting XI for Blackpool would be:

Eastwood
Ruffels
Nelson
Dickie
Long
Graham
Mousinho
Sykes
Whyte
Browne
Mackie

4-4-2 with only one part timer in defence. If KR cannot recognise the flaws in his system that are caused by lack of personnel, he needs to be relieved of his duties.

 

[Upthecowboys]

I have to say that I am very very worried about KR and his ideas and tactics. As much as I don’t think Dickie is good enough, but to put Mous back into the centre of defence, after he did so badly last season, and when he has done comparatively well in midfield, once Kashi was taken sick, instead of sticking with the same back 4, which ok haven’t been brilliant, but with Mous in front of them, KR decides to start with musical chairs, well a huge own goal, Sykes had a good game, Mackie didn’t have one of his best, but why oh why play only one up front.
I would have started with the usual back 4 (even tho I don’t rate them) with Brannigan and Mous in front, 2 wingers putting in plenty of crosses for 2 up front
4-2-2 we can out good crosses in, but we need someone, well more than 1, in the box waiting and wanting the crosses
I have finally come to the decision that either KR hasn’t got a clue or the players just aren’t doing it for him

Worth a try, we’ve got the wide options to play that. Mackie and Sinclair up top might work, don’t think the lone role suits either.

That formation was the basis of a lot of good Dennis Smith teams.

 

[oxfordfan1]

I’ve said it time and time again on here since the Ryan Taylor days our strikers are not good enough! Please who in there right mind would give mackie a start with his goal record?play the young lads with hunger/pace. I’d start Sinclair with that jonte lad or even Bradbury/spasov

 

[DannyW]

Hi

02:50 hrs-just got home to Bampton after tonight’s Accrington trip with the LRTC.
Must be mad or stupid or both .
Roll on Blackpool ???

Respect

 

[TailsWeWin]

I’m erring towards that system too. The issue for me is that KR’s system is designed to push wingers wide to send in deliveries. I can’t fault the system in that it does that - we simply haven’t had any form of target for those deliveries all bloody season! It’s why we give the appearance of being a decent side from time to time but we’re pieces short of a puzzle.

If we can’t convert crosses (and don’t get me started on set pieces and corners ...) then let’s allow for the option to go wide but with more options in the middle. My starting XI for Blackpool would be:

Eastwood
Ruffels
Nelson
Dickie
Long
Graham
Mousinho
Sykes
Whyte
Browne
Mackie

4-4-2 with only one part timer in defence. If KR cannot recognise the flaws in his system that are caused by lack of personnel, he needs to be relieved of his duties.

Aren’t the latter three injury doubts, though?

 

[Gary Baldi]

There was an interesting tweet from Simon Lenegan re KR last night - worth seeking out. I think what we don't see is how much KR does at OUFC that isn't his core role and shouldn't have to do.

The issue with this team is it's either really good or really bad - there is very little in between. Last night an inability to do the basics let us down again.

For Saturday, we need to ensure we don't lose first and foremost. The league is still close, so we cannot afford to defend so poorly again. No time for moaners at games

 

[uptheus]

Careful now. You’ll get in trouble suggesting that it’s possible he in fact isn’t brilliant AND loved by all of the players.

Well, if they don’t respect him the least they could do is respect the fans/club.

 

[yellowbow]

There was an interesting tweet from Simon Lenegan re KR last night - worth seeking out. I think what we don't see is how much KR does at OUFC that isn't his core role and shouldn't have to do.

The issue with this team is it's either really good or really bad - there is very little in between. Last night an inability to do the basics let us down again.

For Saturday, we need to ensure we don't lose first and foremost. The league is still close, so we cannot afford to defend so poorly again. No time for moaners at games

We all know that Robinson has to do a lot of other things on top of coaching the team though. He tells us all after every f#€¥ing defeat. ?

I do have a certain amount of sympathy for him, it’s a symptom of how badly the club is being ‘run’ from above.

 

[AbbeyOx]

I'm still on the positive bus cos I've always been more of an optimist than a pessimist in general, however I've moved from upstairs down to the seats nearer the exit!!!

 

[Gary Baldi]

We all know that Robinson has to do a lot of other things on top of coaching the team though. He tells us all after every f#€¥ing defeat. ?

I do have a certain amount of sympathy for him, it’s a symptom of how badly the club is being ‘run’ from above.

And that is the biggest point....

 

[Reynolds97]

Have to say, KR so defensive tonight I think he may have his job on the line.

If tiger has the ability to appoint someone competent we will see.

The certainty is that the team assembled isn’t cheap...which player has improved under KR coaching/management?

Plenty of good managers out of work that would be a big upgrade on KR....hurst, bowyer, Grayson, Appleton, clarke

Safest job in the world I fear, wouldn't have any faith in him to appoint a decent manager in time to keep us up either.

Couldn't see any half decent manager in their right mind taking the job on - No financial backing, more winding up petitions than away wins & one way ticket to league 2.

 

[horseman]

as i've posted elsewhere

Gary Rowett Paul clement Ian Holloway Brian Laws Martin Allen Neil Adams

13 Games to Organize and by my reckoning it's down to Any 3 from 8 (Wimbledon Likely gone) with other than Rovers Goal Difference pretty similar

8 clubs needing/Target 20 + pts

Who wants it?

 

[Shaun Rice]

I cannot believe radio Oxford and even many of our fans cannot see what has been so blatantly obvious from the first kick of the season. Especially awful is that seemingly KR and our coaching staff and recruitment team cannot see it. Damn! our defence is absolutely shocking!

Yeah strikers were needed in August and January. Sadly we didn’t sign one by the looks of it. But whilst KR was searching around for his Striker he left our defence in tatters and even let one defender go.

We don’t stop the ball into the box from wide areas enough. We give players too much space, we’re not alive to danger! Weak in the challenge. Disorganised and out of position. How many soft goals can a team concede in a season?

Great to hear Shots actually pointing out our defensive frailties last night tho. He sounded stunned at how bad we were.

Dickie looks like a broken man totally out of his depth. He constantly looses his man or doesn’t have one. He’s weak in the challenge, especially challenging for balls in the air. His body language says it all.

We paid good money for Hanson! What an absolute waste of it. An alleged championship level midfielder reduced to full back because KR doesn’t have anyone else good enough. He looked just as bad in midfield tho.

Likewise Ruffles on the other side, shocking. To be fair he’s actually not as bad as Dickie or Hanson which isn’t saying a lot.

But it’s okay we can play those players we have covering those positions. Because our recruitment was so organised and thorough. The players that have been pushing for the first team and keeping our defenders focused and on their toes, in fear of losing the shirt... er no wait!

Two absolutely shocking transfer windows. The club, the team the manager is a shambles.

Worst of all for me is that I’ve become numb to defeat. I don’t expect us to get anything out of games and I’m actually happy when we just get a point.

Robinson out!