Home Match Day Thread 15/12/2020 L1 OUFC v Northampton Town

[outsidethebox]

Wednesday's ballot cancelled. Same fans will be allocated tickets for Boxing Day. No point changing a winning team .

 

[bazzer9461]

f**k A Duck!!!

Quack

 

[ttg17]

Normally I'd be absolutely gushing after a 4-0 win, but it's genuinely difficult to reconcile that first half with that second half, and to take too much pleasure from beating a side as poor as Northampton were in that second half. Honestly, they look absolutely nailed on for relegation.

Similarly, I would say this was the game where Clare first started looking like a Cadden replacement, and his introduction did change the game. But he literally had no defending to do at all, and was up against a Cobblers team that totally collapsed. Difficult to gauge.

Great atmosphere tonight. 2000 fans were louder than a typical 6500 attendance home game. Anyone know what the bit of aggro was at the back of the East? Looked like someone was refusing to wear their mask?

 

[Eaststanding]

The only disappointment for me tonight were the people in the East stand who don’t seem able to grasp the fact that a face covering should cover the mouth and nose, not just the mouth; what is the point of wearing one?
And the two blokes from separate bubbles chatting a metre from each other at half time having removed their masks?
And the stewards who say they can challenge someone if they’re not wearing a mask, but can’t challenge anyone if they’re wearing a mask over their mouth, even if it doesn’t cover their nose as well?
Friend of mine, fittest bloke I know, absolutely poleaxed by Covid this week after his daughter brought it home from her school.
I’ve had a right f*****g rant at people tonight and it’s aimed at every arrogant or lazy prick who thinks that Covid is going away.
Great second half by the way, deserved winners.

 

[bazzer9461]

Standout players for me:

Stevens - Solid, quick off his line, good distribution. Who was questioning him sorry???

Long - massive heart, full of effort, good defending

Moore - Some good crossfield pings

Gorrin - dominant, energetic, powerful, driving forwards, kept the ball

Shodipo - Poor first half, superb second, he has pace and swing a ball in when he wants

Taylor - Back to the classic poacher we love

Clare - Offered pace and drive on the right, even defended well a couple of times

Agyei - Only had 12 mins on the pitch but got a goal and an assist! He can attack tiring defences so well

You missed a few
Stevens very commanding

Ruffles steady.

Kelly getting there. ( don’t mess with shorty )

McGuane starting to show us why KR got him here. ( and I’m eating humble pie )

Henry getting there and 2nd half fought for the ball and using the wing well.

Mousinho shame about his injury but was commanding until his injury.

Hanson hope he stays fit starting to look good.

Obita and Hall not long enough to give an opinion but wasn’t worried when they came on

 

[ljs]

Thought Sam Long was very very good. Seemed to be everywhere

Very good second half from all the players with some excellent bits of play and great closing down. The change in tempo was brought about by the forced introduction of Clare and his direct running at pace. Lets hope he starts the next game, but further forward.

Agyei very good on his short cameo... even if playing out wide (I think he can play there).

Long another very good game. Ditto Moore, Gorrin, McGuane and Taylor.

Northampton were shite.

 

[tonto]

I managed to miss the first and last goals! And I watched the entire first half...... After all the doom and gloom its brilliant that the team is starting to show its potential. Moore and Long immense again,Stevens pretty much faultless again as well plus everyone else,top marks COYY

 

[AbbeyOx]

Im not sure were in for a good year. Tonight was decent, lets enjoy that, and then return focus to the relegation battle we are in.

technically we're not in a relegation battle - we're 17th!

 

[Manorlounger]

4-0 great entertainment second half. On the way home got a text from OUFC Pick to congratulate on winning £25.00 - Excellent evening out!

 

[bazzer9461]

The only disappointment for me tonight were the people in the East stand who don’t seem able to grasp the fact that a face covering should cover the mouth and nose, not just the mouth; what is the point of wearing one?
And the two blokes from separate bubbles chatting a metre from each other at half time having removed their masks?
And the stewards who say they can challenge someone if they’re not wearing a mask, but can’t challenge anyone if they’re wearing a mask over their mouth, even if it doesn’t cover their nose as well?
Friend of mine, fittest bloke I know, absolutely poleaxed by Covid this week after his daughter brought it home from her school.
I’ve had a right f*****g rant at people tonight and it’s aimed at every arrogant or lazy prick who thinks that Covid is going away.
Great second half by the way, deserved winners.

Where were these two blokes who were talking?

 

[Scotchegg]

A strange first half where we never seemed to get going without ever looking troubled. It was great to see Clare come on and grab the game by the balls, and maybe not featuring at the weekend has been what's needed to get him fired up. Admittedly Northants were awful and gave him the freedom to play, but you still need to make these opportunities count.

Matty Taylor looks a different player when the ball is coming to him rather than him having to create his own chances. He's an old school striker who will run and chase and do the ugly stuff if needed, but he definitely comes alive in the 6 yard box. Hopefully he'll get a little run of goals to keep the confidence going and help leapfrog a few teams around us.

Sam Long has dispelled any notion that he's a lower league make weight. I've always been a fan, but he seems to get better and better each week and thrives on having the backing of the boss. As well as Clare did, I'd still look to move Long back to RB when Atkinson returns and maybe rotate Henry and Clare more frequently.

Whilst not at their best, I thought McGuane and Kelly were both much better tonight with McGuane playing some exquisite passes at times and Kelly showing a bit more bite. Gorrin had one of his usual 7/10 performances were he barely put a foot out of place without particularly standing out.

And I thought Ruffels had his best game in a long time, and grew in confidence as the game progressed. I certainly think talk of dropping him for Obita are a bit premature and hopefully we will see Obita rotating more with Shodipo (who was much better) further forward.

Finally Stevens showed a lot more character and leadership tonight. He was the voice you heard the most and was constantly talking to the back four. It was with a heavy heart that I wanted to see him replace Eastwood, but I'd know be amazed if he doesn't hold down the no.1 spot for the rest of the season.

And finally, finally, it was good to see all of the suns making an impression. Dan played like he had a point to prove, and showed what he's capable of doing even when coming from a wider position. I just wish he could have done the same against Swindon and we would have won at a canter!

I know it was only Northampton, but play like that and we're only going one way in this league and that ain't Kips relegation battle!!

 

[UTM]

Normally I'd be absolutely gushing after a 4-0 win, but it's genuinely difficult to reconcile that first half with that second half, and to take too much pleasure from beating a side as poor as Northampton were in that second half. Honestly, they look absolutely nailed on for relegation.

Similarly, I would say this was the game where Clare first started looking like a Cadden replacement, and his introduction did change the game. But he literally had no defending to do at all, and was up against a Cobblers team that totally collapsed. Difficult to gauge.

Great atmosphere tonight. 2000 fans were louder than a typical 6500 attendance home game. Anyone know what the bit of aggro was at the back of the East? Looked like someone was refusing to wear their mask?

Aggro ... it’s not the 80s I’m sorry to say!

 

[UTM]

The only disappointment for me tonight were the people in the East stand who don’t seem able to grasp the fact that a face covering should cover the mouth and nose, not just the mouth; what is the point of wearing one?
And the two blokes from separate bubbles chatting a metre from each other at half time having removed their masks?
And the stewards who say they can challenge someone if they’re not wearing a mask, but can’t challenge anyone if they’re wearing a mask over their mouth, even if it doesn’t cover their nose as well?
Friend of mine, fittest bloke I know, absolutely poleaxed by Covid this week after his daughter brought it home from her school.
I’ve had a right f*****g rant at people tonight and it’s aimed at every arrogant or lazy prick who thinks that Covid is going away.
Great second half by the way, deserved winners.

Having said that , this is very sad I hope your friend recovers quickly , it’s not a joke thing this Chinese virus . People should keep to the law .

 

[bazzer9461]

Another Bonus no yellow for Gorrin not sure if I’m right but if he gets through the next two matches with no yellow card then he gets another reprieve.

 

[Cass63]

Matty Taylor has taken over the Mackie role of shithousery, after the incident in the second half with their goalie he kept goading him, his second goal must have been sweet for him. On a separate note, the ref was poor, Sunday league stuff at times.

 

[ttg17]

A strange first half where we never seemed to get going without ever looking troubled. It was great to see Clare come on and grab the game by the balls, and maybe not featuring at the weekend has been what's needed to get him fired up. Admittedly Northants were awful and gave him the freedom to play, but you still need to make these opportunities count.

Matty Taylor looks a different player when the ball is coming to him rather than him having to create his own chances. He's an old school striker who will run and chase and do the ugly stuff if needed, but he definitely comes alive in the 6 yard box. Hopefully he'll get a little run of goals to keep the confidence going and help leapfrog a few teams around us.

Sam Long has dispelled any notion that he's a lower league make weight. I've always been a fan, but he seems to get better and better each week and thrives on having the backing of the boss. As well as Clare did, I'd still look to move Long back to RB when Atkinson returns and maybe rotate Henry and Clare more frequently.

Whilst not at their best, I thought McGuane and Kelly were both much better tonight with McGuane playing some exquisite passes at times and Kelly showing a bit more bite. Gorrin had one of his usual 7/10 performances were he barely put a foot out of place without particularly standing out.

And I thought Ruffels had his best game in a long time, and grew in confidence as the game progressed. I certainly think talk of dropping him for Obita are a bit premature and hopefully we will see Obita rotating more with Shodipo (who was much better) further forward.

Finally Stevens showed a lot more character and leadership tonight. He was the voice you heard the most and was constantly talking to the back four. It was with a heavy heart that I wanted to see him replace Eastwood, but I'd know be amazed if he doesn't hold down the no.1 spot for the rest of the season.

And finally, finally, it was good to see all of the suns making an impression. Dan played like he had a point to prove, and showed what he's capable of doing even when coming from a wider position. I just wish he could have done the same against Swindon and we would have won at a canter!

I know it was only Northampton, but play like that and we're only going one way in this league and that ain't Kips relegation battle!!

Agree with all of this, particularly Kelly showing more bite. Not been impressed with him recently but he was at the heart of a lot of good stuff tonight.

The subs thing is really baffling. I genuinely feel our depth is one of the strongest elements of our side now - you feel we have exciting attacking options available in Agyei, Clare and Shodipo (assuming Obita starts), as well as solid midfielders in Forde and Hanson who can muck in when Kelly or McGuane tire. I'd argue that we have a stronger bench than last year, and this is without Sykes. Which, as you say, makes Swindon all the more baffling.

I also think you underplay Gorrin! Thought he was great yet again. I noticed him carrying the ball forward Dickie-esque a couple of times in that second half, which I haven't seen him do before. Admittedly that was probably as a result of the defence not needing any shielding against such a toothless Northampton attack, but it was good to see. He certainly has the technique for it.

 

[christenedinjericho]

Absolute shocker of a first half although I think it could've have been a case of don't concede, take a bit of a loose tongue bollocking at half time and told to get at them from the off for the second half because basically this Northants side looked at the end of the match like they are several cobbles short of a full set of cobblers...they were that bad.

Glad to see Taylor notch a couple but I thought Long tonight was my MOM as he hardly put a foot or head wrong all night as well as operating in two different positions.

Lots to work on still but nice to see four goals scored and none conceded although spoilt somewhat by overhearing someone tonight saying that Father Christmas is just pure fantasy.

COYY'S

 

[Carpy]

Game of two halves couldn’t be a more accurate phrase for that game

Moore, Long and Gorrin were the standouts for me, the latter I think is really underrated for the attacking side of his game which has improved this season

One thing I would say is I didn’t see what others seemed to have seen from Kelly, I wouldn’t say he was poor, I just wouldn’t say he was that good either, I actually thought bringing Hanson on to do the dirty work and allowing Gorrin to run all over the shop actually made us stronger

I’d also happily swap Clare in for Henry, the 1st goal showed what he could bring to the side in a more advanced position

 

[Scotchegg]

Agree with all of this, particularly Kelly showing more bite. Not been impressed with him recently but he was at the heart of a lot of good stuff tonight.

The subs thing is really baffling. I genuinely feel our depth is one of the strongest elements of our side now - you feel we have exciting attacking options available in Agyei, Clare and Shodipo (assuming Obita starts), as well as solid midfielders in Forde and Hanson who can muck in when Kelly or McGuane tire. I'd argue that we have a stronger bench than last year, and this is without Sykes. Which, as you say, makes Swindon all the more baffling.

I also think you underplay Gorrin! Thought he was great yet again. I noticed him carrying the ball forward Dickie-esque a couple of times in that second half, which I haven't seen him do before. Admittedly that was probably as a result of the defence not needing any shielding against such a toothless Northampton attack, but it was good to see. He certainly has the technique for it.

It's a fair point about Gorrin. I think I'm so used to seeing him playing to such a high standard that I take that for granted. He does the simple things well, but has looked at add to his game this season. I'd forgotten about him carrying the ball forward, and in the absence of Atkinson it shows the value in just strolling through 30 or 40 yards and how oppositions find it so difficult to defend against. Also there appears to be positivity in his passing since coming back from injury. He's always looked good at winning the ball and passing it on, but in the absence of Brannagan he is now looking at more options, including bringing the front three into the game quickly. This really helps up the tempo and has been a feature in games where we've dominated.

So you're right, Gorrin was excellent!

 

[Oxford84]

Absolute shocker of a first half although I think it could've have been a case of don't concede, take a bit of a loose tongue bollocking at half time and told to get at them from the off for the second half because basically this Northants side looked at the end of the match like they are several cobbles short of a full set of cobblers...they were that bad.

Glad to see Taylor notch a couple but I thought Long tonight was my MOM as he hardly put a foot or head wrong all night as well as operating in two different positions.

Lots to work on still but nice to see four goals scored and none conceded although spoilt somewhat by overhearing someone tonight saying that Father Christmas is just pure fantasy.

COYY'S

we had Dickie,Dunkley and Nelson all struggle when having to play on the left side of central defence yet Long plays across the back 4 and doesnt let his performance drop at all.