So, we are, horror show. Will caveat by saying that the squad we have, with the money that has been spent (where the money has come from, who knows!) I think KR's time is up. He hasn't improved any players, his record is hideous, he is hugely underperforming based on the squad.
We could criticise quite a lot...however the part that has me most interested over the last few weeks is the strategy/tactic of crossing that KR seems intent on embedding.
Firstly, crossing is inefficient:
The above from MLS data in 2018 (ref:
https://twitter.com/JmooreQuakes).
A few critiques being - what is counted in the data as a cross...how much data used etc. However, it does give a decent indication that crossing, as a primary strategy, is not a good one.
Firstly, 40% of the above crosses are either cleared by the opposition or blocked. Around 15% of the crosses resulted in a unsuccessful aerial (guessing missed header) and a shot from the crossing team...fundamentally, heading and converting crosses is a tough skill.
How many crosses result in a goal? 0.9%. This varies across various articles, however the maximum appears to be around 2%.
Apply this to Oxford and crosses from open play in recent league matches (don't have Accrington numbers):
vs Peterborough - 20 (5 successful)
vs Sunderland - 22 (6 successful)
vs Burton - 28 (10 successful)
vs Barnsley - 12 (3 successful)
vs Portsmouth - 13 (3 successful)
All those failed crosses = conceding possession.
Twin the above with the lack of striker, and no strikers with any discernible heading, finishing skill to deal with cross and what we end up with is a strategy that looks like plenty is happening in the final third, but in reality is an inefficient mechanism.
The alternative? Looking at the wide players we have, twinned with the strength of our strikers and the most sensible approach would be cutbacks. Browne, Whyte, Graham can all beat players....in these situations the ball along the floor, cutback to the penalty spot (preferably closer!) would be more lucrative.
KR stated that we have plenty of games last night and in some regard the sole focus now is on reaching 50 points however that happens. I do get the feeling that telling the wingers to cross more is a final plan and an admission that nothing else works.
( I write the above knowing we scored from a cross last night!!)