Home Match Day Thread +++ FAC 4th Replay - OUFC v Newcastle United MDT +++

Firstly, some real moments of individual brilliance to get us back in that game but I think ultimately it will be a blessing in disguise, just pleased it was a half decent spectacle in the end

Now for an observation on our favourite player...

I’m sorry but anyone that suggests that Mackie is anything but totally ineffective must be watching different games of football to me. When you’re playing one up top, at the very least they need to be good at one of two things, either someone who can bring balls down to the midfield running on and generally hold the ball up (especially important when playing teams “better” than you, if only to give the defence a breather and time to get their shape) or have some pace to be able to run the channels, and stretch and pull the opposition defence out of position as your midfield join the attack, they can then find those pockets of space vacated by the defender now out of position

Mackie displays neither of the above qualities, he is too slow and cumbersome to run the channels, and is really quite poor in the air, especially for someone who is by no means small, let’s also not forget he quite often fouls defenders when attempting to challenge for the ball.

Agyei I think proved to most fans at least, not only tonight, but previously, that he at least has some of the characteristics above

To suggest Mackie starts because he is a leader or experienced is also nonsense as far as I’m concerned, if the wider group of players need a 34 year old donkey, whom they’ve had to carry for most of the game, to give them a lift because they’re having a bad game then I have a couple of questions, 1. What is the purpose of Gary Bloom if not to instil some mental toughness in our younger players, 2. Has anyone heard Mousinho speak... this guy oozes class and intelligence, I have no doubt he can do all of the above on the pitch

Also, the people that say oh you need to stop “picking” on Mackie, I, and I’m sure everyone else have no issues with the guy personally... he just cannot compete in the lone striker role and there is clearly better options from multiple different players at the club
 
Had a few hours in the office to reflect on the game. Just want to say that I thought we were magnificent. The first half hour was tough, and Newcastle were right on the money, but after that we were more than equal to them. Don't think I've ever celebrated a goal as wildly as I did Holland's equaliser - brilliant! I suppose we needed to kill them off in the first few minutes of ET, because after that they regained some confidence and looked the more likely to score - Saint Maximin at least - no-one else was particularly threatening. Gutted to have lost, obviously. But relieved that at least it wasn't a defeat on pens, which would have meant there would have had to have been a 'villain', which would have been unfair. Actually feeling pretty philosophical about it now - on to the league and all that. Just a fantastic performance from the U's in front of the cameras. And Sykes was brilliant - what a player he's becoming.
 
What an amazing game and atmosphere!

We were so much better in the 2nd half, and so unlucky in the end

Agyei coming in changed the game, and he deserves a proper chance in the side now.

Long was immense, especially 2nd half, great defensively, got forward well, and his crossing was excellent again.

Holland had his best game for us, great runs and use of the ball, and what a great finish, I went absolutely mental when he scored!

Dickie was class, best game for a while.

Moore was excellent, looks better every time I see him play.

Gorrin has a very good game, more than held his on in the middle.

Mackie was more like his old self, busting a gut all over the place, and much more effective than recent weeks.

Great free kick from Kelly, who up until that point had been bloody awful.

Thorne looks like a real talented leader, if he can get match sharp and stay fit, he could be very important for us this season.

Sykes was amazing, showed so much skill and class, looking so much stronger now than he did, and bossed the game, especially in the 2nd half, great performance MOTM

A great night, great crowd, great atmosphere, great comeback, great goals, just so unlucky at the end.

Very proud of Robbo and the lads!

Bring on Posh!

COYY
 
Carpy17 said:
Firstly, some real moments of individual brilliance to get us back in that game but I think ultimately it will be a blessing in disguise, just pleased it was a half decent spectacle in the end

Now for an observation on our favourite player...

I’m sorry but anyone that suggests that Mackie is anything but totally ineffective must be watching different games of football to me. When you’re playing one up top, at the very least they need to be good at one of two things, either someone who can bring balls down to the midfield running on and generally hold the ball up (especially important when playing teams “better” than you, if only to give the defence a breather and time to get their shape) or have some pace to be able to run the channels, and stretch and pull the opposition defence out of position as your midfield join the attack, they can then find those pockets of space vacated by the defender now out of position

Mackie displays neither of the above qualities, he is too slow and cumbersome to run the channels, and is really quite poor in the air, especially for someone who is by no means small, let’s also not forget he quite often fouls defenders when attempting to challenge for the ball.

Agyei I think proved to most fans at least, not only tonight, but previously, that he at least has some of the characteristics above

To suggest Mackie starts because he is a leader or experienced is also nonsense as far as I’m concerned, if the wider group of players need a 34 year old donkey, whom they’ve had to carry for most of the game, to give them a lift because they’re having a bad game then I have a couple of questions, 1. What is the purpose of Gary Bloom if not to instil some mental toughness in our younger players, 2. Has anyone heard Mousinho speak... this guy oozes class and intelligence, I have no doubt he can do all of the above on the pitch

Also, the people that say oh you need to stop “picking” on Mackie, I, and I’m sure everyone else have no issues with the guy personally... he just cannot compete in the lone striker role and there is clearly better options from multiple different players at the club
Click to expand...
After a fantastic game like that and three quarters of your post slagging off Mackie. Well well
 
Foley said:
After a fantastic game like that and three quarters of your post slagging off Mackie. Well well
Click to expand...
It’s very fair to comment that Agyei’s replacement of Mackie made an enormous difference. It remains very strange that KR is so reluctant to play the young man from the start. Has he given the reason why not? It must be pretty convincing! I don’t think Mackie has worried an opposition defence for some time. A very entertaining match and disappointing not to win; however, we were outplayed for the first hour and gave them too much respect. The last twenty minutes particularly shows how we CAN play. Peterborough is massive.
 
So many football specialists on here please tell me what mackie bought to the game last night? What attributes did he show? Did he look like scoring again to keep up his prolific strike rate? Did he assist another goal? We have so many better footballers at our club he's absolute garbage been saying it all season biggest waste of space on the books. Our young lads should be proud they were great last 30 minutes fair play to them.
 
Fitness had a lot to do with how that game panned out. For the first 70 minutes Newcastle’s tactics were spot on, they pressed us, they double marked, they treated us with a lot of respect. They then lost their discipline and their our passing quality began to hurt them.

Once Taylor et al came on it was anyone’s game.
Our subs were again spot on, Robinson ?.

It’s the thing these days to use superlatives to describe modest success but OUFC performances against higher ranked cup sides this season have been little short of sensational.

Despite injuries, despite players being sold, we keep it going. Proud of the lads and let’s go on and finish the season with a win at Wembley. We are plenty good enough to go up.
 
Oh and you buy and wear a half and half scarf, you really are a moron :oops:

Sykes was my MOTM last night, excellent!
 
oxfordfan1 said:
genious!

all of the above is possible when the hitman Mackie is on the pitch :) just think had sykes not started the weekend that browne strike could of gone in off Mackies rear end instead I bet Mackie was gutted....... LOL
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Mackie prevented more goals going in that he had shots last night!
I get the endeavour, I even get the personality on the pitch but he doesn’t ever even look like scoring. I would much rather we start with Agyei and get him game time if Taylor ain’t fit.
 
dickwalton1964 said:
I thought Thorne played two or three really incisive passes. He undoubtedly offers something a bit different to a lot of our midfielders. We tend to play a lot of passes across the pitch, stretching the play, but he can spot that less obvious forward pass into feet. He looks heavy but a fit Thorne will be a tremendous asset.
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Yes he's definitely not fit though, was blowing a bit after a short shift
 
Yellow River said:
You actually have to be in the ground to experience the high emotion when that hits the back of the net, that’s what live football is all about.
Click to expand...

Obviously it’s much better actually being there and watching that go in live but trust me, there were Oxford fans all around the world going absolutely ballistic and experiencing plenty of high emotion as Holland scores that goal!
 
Scotchegg said:
Agree with a lot of this. I also thought we started very nervy and didn't get into the game until 2 nil. I actually thought Mackie had a better game than he's had recently and was very influential in lifting heads after we went 2 down. He was giving Sykes, Browne and Holland loads of verbal support and collectively they started pressing the Newcastle defence much more effectively.

Dickie was a class above every other player on the pitch and made everything look so effortless. Moore, Long and Ruffels all very good and Eastwood right back on form. Brannagan, Gorrin and Sykes started quietly but really started controlling midfield after 30 mins. Sykes was everywhere and pushed Dickie for MoM.

Further forward, Holland looked a real threat, and Browne had his moments but looked frustrated and almost a little sulky at times. He had moments like that last year and maybe needs to work on this attitude as it will hold him back.

I expected a bit more from Matty Taylor when he came on, and thought he went down easily a couple of times. Maybe not quite 100% fit yet but gave a better outlet than Mackie. Dan Ageyi also had speed, strength and a directness that Newcastle hated. However, he also missed a very good chance to kill the game in extra time and also went a little quieter towards the end. George Thorne looked to be a very good replacement for Gorrin, doing the simple things well and controlling the middle.

Finally, special mention to Liam Kelly. He looks a real player. He demanded the ball all over the park and looked to drive everything forward. A few overhit passes to begin with, but once he got to the pace of the game he barely put a foot wrong. He never shirked a challenge and was a real pain to Newcastle. Throw in his goal and I think our business in January looks even better.

The cups have been fun, and have brought in new revenue and new fans, but now we have the nuts and bolts of the league to focus on. Play like that and we should be in the playoffs at least come Msy.
Click to expand...

Agree with most of what you say, but actually felt that when Kelly played the Gorrin role (deeper getting ball off the defence) we were looking good, but when Thorne went into that role we lost that yard of quickness/opening up play. Also felt that Newcastle had more space in that middle bit too due to Thorne’s lack of fitness e.g. looked too easy to get passed him. I’m sure he’s got a lot of talent when fully fit, but really felt we lost something when he came on. Just a shame Brannagan wasn’t able to continue (even though he felt he was ok, but was clearly spent and not worth risking) as I felt him and Kelly were just starting to build a good partnership at that stage of the game with Newcastle on the ropes.
 
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