+++ 18/12/2019 OUFC v Manchester City +++

[uptheus]

I'd say Sam Long did better than ok.

Had a good game, but again his distribution / composure on the ball is poor.

I’d definitely keep Cadden over Long if given the choice.

I personally think Long and Ruffels are our weak links in terms of technical ability/ distribution, but are good covers from a defensive perspective.

 

[uptheus]

Sykes and Long on the right just seem to click. In the same way Cadden and Henry bring the best out of each other.

I know that we are always looking to improve in every position, but a couple more games like that and we might not worry so much about losing Cadden after all.

Cadden will be a big miss.

 

[Scotchegg]

I honestly don't know what Sam Long has to do to get credit from some on here. He was defensively very strong and linked up brilliantly with Sykes going forward, and put in some great crosses too. Prior to Sykes coming on he was having to cover for Ageyi who was a little erratic and less defensively disciplined than Hall, if that is possible!

I'm struggling to think of a time where he's had a bad game?

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

I know you’re a positive guy but Long played quite a few bad balls in, that’s just a fact. Appleton pointed out one first half cross in his half time analysis where he said something like ‘there’s no need to rush that and just throw it in, take your time’

Second half as well some of his crosses weren’t great, he seems to often play them too shallow and they get easily cleared and we get hit on the counter - or he overhits then. Robinson has said himself, he’s great defending 1vs1 but he needs to work on his delivery.

Having said that, overall he had a decent game and defended very well - combined nicely with Sykes as well as has been said. Second half especially he was excellent

 

[BeechRoadBokelberg]

I have to say I was very impressed with Man City....

They defended like beavers! ?

 

[Kiewhite]

Isle be honest we we’re brilliant today just like we were against West Ham. We’ve been brilliant most off the season. As ecstatic as I am now I will
Save my excitement till after Saturday as it’s a lot easier to be motivated when your up against sterling Foden Mahrez rather than akinfenwa Bloomfield and allsop as excited as I am now I also no to be very wary. On a side note isn’t KR just brilliant for this club? If we do have a really bad spell at some point support him because in my opinion he’s a proper gem

 

[ljs]

I honestly don't know what Sam Long has to do to get credit from some on here. He was defensively very strong and linked up brilliantly with Sykes going forward, and put in some great crosses too. Prior to Sykes coming on he was having to cover for Ageyi who was a little erratic and less defensively disciplined than Hall, if that is possible!

I'm struggling to think of a time where he's had a bad game?

To me, both our full backs played far too narrow (again) defensively. Their wide players had far too much time and pace every time they got the ball.

From what I recall, all three goals came from this kind of situation. Although, the first Ruffels went for a ball he shouldn't have.

I disagree about Ageyi, I thought he covered well, far better than Hall does, and looked decent going forward.

At the other endbour final ball and crossing could have been better, but our build up play was very good on the whole and glad to see we pressed them very well (unlike our last two league matches).

But, really the whole team did very well, and was disappointed we didn't have more than one goal to show for the effort.

 

[Bacon]

so, so proud of the club tonight. Absolutely made up!

I was very critical of Sykes after the Shrews game (and rightly so), but hats off to the lad, he was fantastic tonight when he came on. Definitely a wide player!

On another note, did anyone notice how good the ground felt/looked with the electronic boards round the pitch and a full house? Felt like a proper stadium for a change. Might be just me [emoji1787]

 

[Oxford1996]

We matched them. What a performance. Our weak links were Long & Ruffels defensively. If we go up this season you’d think a pair of new fullbacks would be top of Robbo’s shopping list.

 

[tonto]

Very encouraging performance Dickie and Gorrin immense Brannagan and Baptiste also. I thought Agyei and Sykes put themselves in the frame as well. Hope we can take this into the wycombe game and hammer them!

 

[PottersRightBoot]

Got to hand it to Taylor, he is always capable of a goal out of the blue. Yes I know we lost but I’m calling that a promotion winning performance. Hats off to our midfield; all excellent.


City definitely going backwards though . Kompany leaving has been a massive factor.
Atmosphere also superb.

 

[chuckbert]

I think Mackie deserves a big shout for turning Cancello’s bullshit into a prime shithousing opportunity which almost paid off immediately. Definitely upped the Adrenalin levels on the pitch to our advantage.

My other highlight was Dickie’s defensive challenge on that fella who plays up front for England.

 

[Followtheox1]

To me, both our full backs played far too narrow (again) defensively. Their wide players had far too much time and pace every time they got the ball.

From what I recall, all three goals came from this kind of situation. Although, the first Ruffels went for a ball he shouldn't have.

I disagree about Ageyi, I thought he covered well, far better than Hall does, and looked decent going forward.

At the other endbour final ball and crossing could have been better, but our build up play was very good on the whole and glad to see we pressed them very well (unlike our last two league matches).

But, really the whole team did very well, and was disappointed we didn't have more than one goal to show for the effort.

Amazing how people see different things. I thought that Ageyi was our poorest player by a mile and his cover was poor.

 

[Scotchegg]

Amazing how people see different things. I thought that Ageyi was our poorest player by a mile and his cover was poor.

I think Robinson felt the same if you could hear his ranting!

 

[Yellowlab]

 

[Yellowlab]

 

[Berliner]

He has been very poor recently. His best games by a distance have come against West Ham and today.
Maybe he needs to come off the bench to be used more as an impact player

Maybe he plays better against better standard opposition?
(AKA "The Juan Pablo Raponi Effect")

 

[Berliner]

I think Robinson felt the same if you could hear his ranting!

I don't think we'll be seeing Agyei in the starting lineup for a bit. Pulled after 56 minutes after which we started playing well. You have to really work hard up front in a game like this, because you aren't going to see the ball otherwise. Luckily he eventually got it after the first half hour watching the ball sail over his head, he came deeper and offered himself better. But overall he was poor.

Like I said, love Long and Ruffels to bits but they both had a tough night, Ruffs more so. But wing backs often have their pants pulled down against top opposition. No disgrace there at all.

A marvellous performance there from all, massive credit to everyone.

 

[oxfordfan1]

Long gave city far to much space and time on the ball, Dickie/Taylor/Baptiste different class and as for brannagan had he been in a sky blue shirt last night no one would argue he doesn't fit in what a player.....
Had we played anywhere near as attack minded in recent games we would of won comfortably.

 

[Fistfullofdollars]

Micah Richards is not a pundit. He's a Man City fan on the telly.

thought the commentary in general was rubbish
richards spent the whole time saying they would have won even if we scored
Minto made some flippant comment on the whistle that Robinson was probably asking PG for a job as his number two, when they were shaking hands
Birtles was awful the whole game and moaned about 4-5 times that the ball was moving when SB took the quick free kick
mpain commentator made some stupid comment about the ground having 3 stands as they realised during building that we didn’t need the additional capacity

Appleton was the only one who spoke any sort of sense

i get they won’t know the club well, but show some balance and don’t just make stuff up.