Away Match Day Thread 6/2/2021 L1 Doncaster Rovers v OUFC

[Wallop]

Boring.

But true.

 

[cassox]

I thought Gorrin had a stormer before he stupidly got booked and Henry was back to his best early on ...then he started passing to the opposition a hell of a lot,he does seem to have lost it this season ,hope its just a phase ,luckily i feel we have brought in some adequate replacements.

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

I don’t know why people think that it is alright that Gorrin is booked every game because “ it’s just the way that he plays “. It’s f*****g stupidity if you ask me, need to be a bit more disciplined than that.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I don’t know why people think that it is alright that Gorrin is booked every game because “ it’s just the way that he plays “. It’s f*****g stupidity if you ask me, need to be a bit more disciplined than that.

More than that, it affects the way he plays thereafter and sometimes means he has to be taken off. Yesterday he grabbed a guy round the middle! You can’t do that!

 

[Marked Ox]

Again, I didn't say Paul Moody WASN'T anything else, I just said he WAS a battering ram. Which, is true.

I'm no Debbie Downer on the legend that is Paul Moody...but most of his goals were scored in Division 3 promotions campaigns! Sam Winnall scored a lot more goals at a higher level, but I'd have Moods ahead of Winnall in this combined squad without a second thought.

Stuart Massey is a very interesting one, excellent to have in a squad, an away-winger, something we arguably don't really have in the squad this year. But he didn't have a monopoly on a starting place even when at United, fighting it out with Angel and others.

Anyway, the discussion was - the 95-96 team was MUCH better than this one, and having seen both (including away at Cardiff), I still think it's arguable and absolutely food for thought. Mainly, because as others have said, the professional game has changed almost beyond recognition and it's very hard to compare.

Definitely an interesting discussion. It is nice to try to be comparing the best players rather than the worst!

 

[Marked Ox]

I don’t know why people think that it is alright that Gorrin is booked every game because “ it’s just the way that he plays “. It’s f*****g stupidity if you ask me, need to be a bit more disciplined than that.

Indeed, the booking yesterday was just stupid, nothing else than that.

 

[tonyw]

Again, I didn't say Paul Moody WASN'T anything else, I just said he WAS a battering ram. Which, is true.

I'm no Debbie Downer on the legend that is Paul Moody...but most of his goals were scored in Division 3 promotions campaigns! Sam Winnall scored a lot more goals at a higher level, but I'd have Moods ahead of Winnall in this combined squad without a second thought.

Stuart Massey is a very interesting one, excellent to have in a squad, an away-winger, something we arguably don't really have in the squad this year. But he didn't have a monopoly on a starting place even when at United, fighting it out with Angel and others.

Anyway, the discussion was - the 95-96 team was MUCH better than this one, and having seen both (including away at Cardiff), I still think it's arguable and absolutely food for thought. Mainly, because as others have said, the professional game has changed almost beyond recognition and it's very hard to compare.

Having kicked off this discussion with blanket statements, I feel like I should probably weigh in again to defend it!

There would be lots of tough debates comparing players from the two sides. Taylor vs. Moody is a very tough one because they were such different players; but you would equally have tough debates, as have been started here, about Massey vs. Henry, Brannagan vs. Bobby Ford, Ruffels vs. Mike Ford, Long vs. Robinson etc.

What wouldn't be for debate - at least in my opinion - is that the two best players in the combined squads would be Matt Elliott & Joey Beauchamp. An international, Premier League stalwart and single-handed winner of a League Cup final.....and a guy who had the talent to do that if he wasn't such a homebody.

The only member of the current squad who would be a slam-dunk member of the combined team would be Alex Gorrin, but while I love the man a great deal, he isn't quite in the Elliott/Beauchamp class. Those two were truly special, and still the best players I've ever seen in yellow (I started going to games in the early 90s).

Although the initial point of my post wasn't to criticize the current team, just to point out it's unequivocally better than every team since that 95/96 side!

 

[Upthecowboys]

Stevens won’t be here if he knows he’s going to be back up. He’s had the taste of 1st choice and with his contract up in the summer at 23 and showing that he is good enough he’ll have plenty of clubs offering him 1st team football.

Clubs from what division?

He has done very well for us, and certainly deserves this extended run. However I think we’ll be looking to sign a ‘1st choice’ keeper in the Summer. I don’t see Stevens as a Top 6 division 1 keeper - yet.

Next season I’d like to see us sign a new keeper, offer Stevens a new contract but then loan him out. Then look to review the keeper situation next January window / end of next season.

Like I said he has done well, but I still think it’s an area we need to strengthen in.

 

[BigLad]

Clubs from what division?

He has done very well for us, and certainly deserves this extended run. However I think we’ll be looking to sign a ‘1st choice’ keeper in the Summer. I don’t see Stevens as a Top 6 division 1 keeper - yet.

Next season I’d like to see us sign a new keeper, offer Stevens a new contract but then loan him out. Then look to review the keeper situation next January window / end of next season.

Like I said he has done well, but I still think it’s an area we need to strengthen in.

Heard the lad was hours away from joining a prem league club before window closed and being loaned back

source was very reliable

 

[holdsteady]

Having kicked off this discussion with blanket statements, I feel like I should probably weigh in again to defend it!

There would be lots of tough debates comparing players from the two sides. Taylor vs. Moody is a very tough one because they were such different players; but you would equally have tough debates, as have been started here, about Massey vs. Henry, Brannagan vs. Bobby Ford, Ruffels vs. Mike Ford, Long vs. Robinson etc.

What wouldn't be for debate - at least in my opinion - is that the two best players in the combined squads would be Matt Elliott & Joey Beauchamp. An international, Premier League stalwart and single-handed winner of a League Cup final.....and a guy who had the talent to do that if he wasn't such a homebody.

The only member of the current squad who would be a slam-dunk member of the combined team would be Alex Gorrin, but while I love the man a great deal, he isn't quite in the Elliott/Beauchamp class. Those two were truly special, and still the best players I've ever seen in yellow (I started going to games in the early 90s).

Although the initial point of my post wasn't to criticize the current team, just to point out it's unequivocally better than every team since that 95/96 side!

I think that’s the huge difference, we don’t have two players who are miles above the division standard in this team, we did on 96. Ability wise Elliot and Beauchamp were stand outs for the entire league, they would be now.

The 96 team actually got promoted, this one is mid table so until they achieve something there is no debate to be had.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Clubs from what division?

He has done very well for us, and certainly deserves this extended run. However I think we’ll be looking to sign a ‘1st choice’ keeper in the Summer. I don’t see Stevens as a Top 6 division 1 keeper - yet.

Next season I’d like to see us sign a new keeper, offer Stevens a new contract but then loan him out. Then look to review the keeper situation next January window / end of next season.

Like I said he has done well, but I still think it’s an area we need to strengthen in.

If I was Stevens and I was posed with that offer, I would reject it and leave the club. That’s an absolute joke! He has already played second fiddle to an ‘experienced’ keeper and after being patient for so long, he has made the absolute best of his chance! This is Jacks time and based on his performances, he deserves it!

I’m so confused by some of the comments I am seeing today. Last week, Stevens was hot s**t and now, for some reason, we should be looking for an experienced alternative? Nonsense.

 

[Scotchegg]

If I was Stevens and I was posed with that offer, I would reject it and leave the club. That’s an absolute joke! He has already played second fiddle to an ‘experienced’ keeper and after being patient for so long, he has made the absolute best of his chance! This is Jacks time and based on his performances, he deserves it!

I’m so confused by some of the comments I am seeing today. Last week, Stevens was hot s**t and now, for some reason, we should be looking for an experienced alternative? Nonsense.

Completely agree with the second paragraph, but there's a huge difference to being second fiddle to Simon Eastwood and being 2nd/3rd fiddle at a PL club on probably 10 x your current wages!!

I'm sure he'll be our number one next season unless a similar deal comes up, and wouldn't be surprised to see us bring in another young player to develop or maybe push Kie Pluckley up the ranks (although he's maybe a season or two too young).

 

[Mellowyellow]

Didn't us fans give Eastwood stick for his mistakes then? The play of final he got loads of stick, then the scum mistake topped it and Robbo had no choice but to drop him.

I only think the first goal Stevens would of been frustrated that he got beat at his near post, not that he cost us the game. Gorrin, Henry and to an extent Kelly off par performances did..

Exactly, come on guys less of the continued negative comments for Eastwood. He wasn't responsible for the goals stevens let in yesterday. He's paying his penance, and needs less of this to get his confidence back.

Fine he's made mistakes, but too many on here forget when the boot has been on the other foot, over a the years and he has produced great performances, whilst stevens has produced some clangers.

As soon as the post about stevens missing the ball low by the post was made on the forum earlier in the thread, it's been open season on Eastwood, and a sense of the eleventh commandment:
Thou shallt not Critisise stevens.

Eastwood is as much an Oxford player as stevens is, and as such needs encouragement and support, rather than raking over the old ashes of earlier in the season.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Completely agree with the second paragraph, but there's a huge difference to being second fiddle to Simon Eastwood and being 2nd/3rd fiddle at a PL club on probably 10 x your current wages!!

I'm sure he'll be our number one next season unless a similar deal comes up, and wouldn't be surprised to see us bring in another young player to develop or maybe push Kie Pluckley up the ranks (although he's maybe a season or two too young).

My comment about playing second fiddle was in relation to the idea of him signing a new deal, going out on loan and then coming back to compete with a newly signed ‘experienced’ keeper for a place he has already earned.

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

Exactly, come on guys less of the continued negative comments for Eastwood. He wasn't responsible for the goals stevens let in yesterday. He's paying his penance, and needs less of this to get his confidence back.

Fine he's made mistakes, but too many on here forget when the boot has been on the other foot, over a the years and he has produced great performances, whilst stevens has produced some clangers.

As soon as the post about stevens missing the ball low by the post was made on the forum earlier in the thread, it's been open season on Eastwood, and a sense of the eleventh commandment:
Thou shallt not Critisise stevens.

Eastwood is as much an Oxford player as stevens is, and as such needs encouragement and support, rather than raking over the old ashes of earlier in the season.

Absolutel rot , Stevens had not dropped any ' clangers ' while Easty had made quite a few !
I suspect you like the wind up though tbh

 

[LeftSideBoy]

Exactly, come on guys less of the continued negative comments for Eastwood. He wasn't responsible for the goals stevens let in yesterday. He's paying his penance, and needs less of this to get his confidence back.

Fine he's made mistakes, but too many on here forget when the boot has been on the other foot, over a the years and he has produced great performances, whilst stevens has produced some clangers.

As soon as the post about stevens missing the ball low by the post was made on the forum earlier in the thread, it's been open season on Eastwood, and a sense of the eleventh commandment:
Thou shallt not Critisise stevens.

Eastwood is as much an Oxford player as stevens is, and as such needs encouragement and support, rather than raking over the old ashes of earlier in the season.

If you can cite ONE clanger that Stevens has made then I’ll be very impressed..

 

[ljs]

Exactly, come on guys less of the continued negative comments for Eastwood. He wasn't responsible for the goals stevens let in yesterday. He's paying his penance, and needs less of this to get his confidence back.

Fine he's made mistakes, but too many on here forget when the boot has been on the other foot, over a the years and he has produced great performances, whilst stevens has produced some clangers.

As soon as the post about stevens missing the ball low by the post was made on the forum earlier in the thread, it's been open season on Eastwood, and a sense of the eleventh commandment:
Thou shallt not Critisise stevens.

I know you don't like Stevens, but please list 'clangers ' he has made. I could list quite a few massive clangers from Eastwood over the last few months he played.

Also, Stevens has been criticised for a few minor errors... kicking, and possibly first goal yesterday.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Having kicked off this discussion with blanket statements, I feel like I should probably weigh in again to defend it!

There would be lots of tough debates comparing players from the two sides. Taylor vs. Moody is a very tough one because they were such different players; but you would equally have tough debates, as have been started here, about Massey vs. Henry, Brannagan vs. Bobby Ford, Ruffels vs. Mike Ford, Long vs. Robinson etc.

What wouldn't be for debate - at least in my opinion - is that the two best players in the combined squads would be Matt Elliott & Joey Beauchamp. An international, Premier League stalwart and single-handed winner of a League Cup final.....and a guy who had the talent to do that if he wasn't such a homebody.

The only member of the current squad who would be a slam-dunk member of the combined team would be Alex Gorrin, but while I love the man a great deal, he isn't quite in the Elliott/Beauchamp class. Those two were truly special, and still the best players I've ever seen in yellow (I started going to games in the early 90s).

Although the initial point of my post wasn't to criticize the current team, just to point out it's unequivocally better than every team since that 95/96 side!

The standard of football in div 3 is higher now though. I agree about Joey and Elliott, also Simmo was better than our current wingers. I’d say the full backs are roughly on a par but Gorrin, Henry, and Brannagan would get into the 96 side. I’d take a fully fit Moody any day!

 

[captainox]

Don't think Stevens has made any Eastwood style "clangers" but there will always be questions asked about goals that are conceded:

- At the near post e.g. yesterday v Doncaster (Eastwood had a few of these in the last year or so and was picked up on it each time on this forum)
- From within the 6-yard box e.g. Rochdale's 3rd where Stevens started to come and then stopped, thereby leaving him marooned and flatfooted.

Equally, you can pick out some cracking saves - the one v Bristol Rovers as an immediate example.

He's a very good prospect but that's all at the moment, a working prospect and we have to accept that he's basically still learning the game - that was his 20th start for us yesterday.

The assumption is Eastwood goes in the summer, the second goalkeeper slot is going to be a very intriguing one.

 

[captainox]

We were excellent for the first 25minutes or so. Henry, Lee and Barker especially so.
Henry and Lee both dramatically faded together at the start of the second half and Henry's passing ability collapsed. There was one spell in the second half, where he misplaced 6 passes in about 3 minutes. When you're trying to get back in the game and your two quarterback type players in Henry and Kelly are giving the ball away, it's not going to go too well.

Gorrin always gets booked when he has got himself on the wrong side of a player, and he can't resist bringing them down. I don't mind a tactical foul but it needs to be at a sensible point of the game, and getting booked inside 30minutes removes the chance of making a tactical foul later in the game. Oh how we could have done with one when he got beaten for the third goal!

Would have loved to see Barker and Shodipo on together when chasing the game.

That's twice in a row at Donny that they've done an effective job on us. Credit to Darren Moore as I thought they got it spot on yesterday and took their chances clinically.