Home Match Day Thread +++ 07/04/2018 OUFC v Oldham Athletic Match Day Thread +++

[Big Ronaldo]

Much of todays game I thought was good.
I thought the midfield rolled up their sleeves and worked to a standstill. Brannagan, Rothwell and Ledson were excellent.
At the back, Ricardinho and Kane had good games but Dickie was different class. He really showed what a prospect he is.
Its just the strikers. Thomas Seemed fired up to me. Obika? Well! What can you say? Fuckin’ell! Is he still getting paid by the scum? Frustrating or what?
A point is not ideal, but we could have lost that today. So, we do have fight in us. I am convinced that we can do this.

 

[yellowbow]

Not read all the posts on here since getting back so apologies if I’m repeating stuff.

I actually enjoyed the game. It was tense and it’s obvious that we lack a little confidence in the final third, but I’m actually feeling more positive now than I was before the game. Robinson’s body language really impressed me, he seemed to feed off of the fans and vice versa. The defence is looking more robust now than earlier in the season, there were a couple of incidents near the end where we would have conceded a few weeks ago. Dickie was immense and Mous, despite a couple of his infuriating dallies with the ball, did well. The midfield, as per usual, looked more then efficient, playing some nice stuff at times. I was concerned with Henry - something just didn’t look right with him - and the final ball lacked. We just need something to fall for us, get an early goal and I think the players will relax a bit and make the right choices in the attacking third. Thomas put himself about well when he came on but you just know that if he starts the game it would be a different story and Obika infuriates, far too passive, docile and never anticipates, meaning he’s on his heels when balls are played in to him. He did win some headers though, and showed a few nice touches. Maybe he, like the team, just needs a break in front of goal.

The officials.. crap for both sides. We have to bear in mind that this area is going to be the ‘variable factor’ for all the sides battling it out between now and the end of the season. Quite literally anything can happen where they’re concerned..

On to Fleetwood, I can’t see them bringing many supporters on a Tuesday night with little to play for. We need to get at them from the off and hope we get that lucky break.

Play like we did today for the rest of the season with confidence building and luck with injuries and , fingers crossed, we’ll be ok

 

[ZeroTheHero]

We were pretty crap in many areas today IMO - but it added one more point to the total, which is certainly better than nothing. There was more actual effort than some recent games and I thought Dickie was excellent. The most worrying thing for me was the lack of chances that we created (or didn't).

If I were KR, I'd be trying to work out how to maximise our threat at corners and free kicks, because we aren't really threatening from open play.

 

[Common Villager]

I think we looked more solid defensively today, which at least gives me some hope. Ricardinho did well once he was moved back to LB (god know why he wasn’t started there). Mousinho and Dickie did a better job of getting rid when they were under pressure, and actually put a bit more distance on their clearances which was good to see. I agree that Dickie was motm.

If we’re going to be more of a threat going forward Robinson needs to find a formation and way of playing that suits the midfielders we have at our disposal. Ledson has too much of a free role at the moment, imo. He’s running around aimlessly at times and looks knackered when he gets the ball. I think he’d be better suited to a deeper role, breaking up play in front of the defenders and playing forward into Rothwell and Brannagan (the latter is playing too deep, to my mind).

To a great extent, though, we’re limited because of our lack of wide players and pace. We have no natural wingers (other than Napa who is still very weak and IBR who, I think, has played his last match for the club. I said when he signed it wasn’t the type of player we needed. Loan signings are generally not what’s needed when teams are struggling, especially ones as weak and inexperienced as him). The manager seemed to imply that he was pleased to have Mowatt back on Tuesday. Why, make I ask? He offers nothing different in terms of style of play to our other midfielders, and has been massively disappointing all season. Maybe he’s seen something in training we haven’t yet.

Another thing that continues to frustrate is our two strikers’ inability to play well when they start a game. Both of them seem to do everything right when they come on as a sub (shutting down, challenging for headers, even scoring occasionally!), but when they start all of that seems to go out of the window.

All in all, I really am yet to feel we are safe. Perhaps one win from our next two matches will change that, but based on our recent performances I’d say that is a big ‘perhaps’.

Hate to be negative, but I always do my best to remain positive when I’m at the match, but I need to vent on here.

I just really hope we can get this terrible, terrible season out of the way and stay up by the skin of our teeth. Maybe in the summer Tiger/ Robinson will deliver on their promise of a squad overhaul, and we’ll return to where we were 18 or so months ago.

 

[DannyW]

I thought we lost something when Ruffels had to go off as Ricci and him were linking pretty well, have faith we will limp through others have to play each other to some extent and they can't all win, fingernails job but we'll get there. Thought defence not too bad today Dickie immense, and Obika does add strength in defence when he plays in this area, but he does leave a lot to be desired up front. Henry struggled today and when he does we are not a good.

 

[RATC]

Although the table says 5 points clear in a way goal difference at the moment is like an extra point. Far superior to everyone around us but we still have to play Wigan and Blackburn.

 

[werthersoriginal]

That wasn’t a bad result in the end. We would have lost that a month ago but fought very hard for the point. We even managed to defend some corners! Never really looked like scoring but hopefully we can add that on Tuesday

 

[Deleted member 462]

Our corners and throw ins are the worst I’ve ever seen. Consistently to the keeper or their players putting us straight under pressure from an attacking position.

 

[RATC]

That wasn’t a bad result in the end. We would have lost that a month ago but fought very hard for the point. We even managed to defend some corners! Never really looked like scoring but hopefully we can add that on Tuesday

Neither team did both had shots of line. Dickie had 2 before Thomas blasted over.

Definitely would've lost that under faz seemed alot more comfortable at the back although people say Ricardinho had a good game personally think he was are weak point at lb sat to narrow and let them overload on the left.

 

[OxfordBoy]

I love Lego but he's got the tactical awareness of a particularly clueless beagle, he was absolute shite today

Dickie was class

Kane is clearly a decent player but doesn't offer enough for me, just a bit too passive

Thought, and not for the first time as soon as we stuck 2 up top we completely lost control of the game, difficult situation for Robinson as Obika was way too isolated by himself but I just cannot see us winning games with a 4 man midfield

Pep Clotet, I absolutely hate you, your signings, your stupid interviews and everything about you, t**t

 

[RATC]

I love Lego but he's got the tactical awareness of a particularly clueless beagle, he was absolute shite today

Dickie was class

Kane is clearly a decent player but doesn't offer enough for me, just a bit too passive

Thought, and not for the first time as soon as we stuck 2 up top we completely lost control of the game, difficult situation for Robinson as Obika was way too isolated by himself but I just cannot see us winning games with a 4 man midfield

Pep Clotet, I absolutely hate you, your signings, your stupid interviews and everything about you, t**t

We never went 2 up top. It was a 433 throughout with Obika and Thomas switching from RW to ST Obika was poor today that Moimbe (who i hope gets a tackle as bad as the one he did on Kane to him,just for how arrogant he was) had Obika on strings on at LB.

Actually think a 442 diamond could be what we need next game especially with the lack of wingers.

 

[outsidethebox]

Usual refreshing direct interview from KR. Certainly didn't shirk the IBR question. If we can crawl over the line this season I think he'll get us shipshape and ready for next.

 

[Deleted member 291]

Really optimistic that if we stay up (which I think we will) Robinson will build an impressive team.

Positive that we didn't lose and kept a clean sheet. There is a lot of dross in this squad but it's what we got until the end of the season. Would love to be safe by this time next Saturday but think it will drag out a bit longer then that.

Thought their keeper was decent today. Made an impressive save but commanded his box well.

Atmosphere was good and very supportive!

 

[yellowbow]

We never went 2 up top. It was a 433 throughout with Obika and Thomas switching from RW to ST Obika was poor today that Moimbe (who i hope gets a tackle as bad as the one he did on Kane to him,just for how arrogant he was) had Obika on strings on at LB.

Actually think a 442 diamond could be what we need next game especially with the lack of wingers.

Before that tackle I actually thought their number 3 was a player that I wouldn’t mind seeing play for us..

 

[PottersRightBoot]

The rest of the season is just a scramble to safety. Actually thought Oldham were halfway decent with some clever midfielders. Loads better than say Mk dons or gillingham.

We worked hard today - but the lack of quality from certain individuals is there for all to see.

I think Robinson had an eye on a point from 60 minutes - we seemed petrified of being caught on the break. We are chiselling our way to safety - it is not pretty but needs must.

Buckley -Ricketts was unspeakably bad and I applaud Robinson for hauling him off and publically admonishing him..


Had to laugh about Oldham’s number 30 - 16 degrees - and wearing gloves. Pathetic.

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

I think we looked more solid defensively today, which at least gives me some hope. Ricardinho did well once he was moved back to LB (god know why he wasn’t started there). Mousinho and Dickie did a better job of getting rid when they were under pressure, and actually put a bit more distance on their clearances which was good to see. I agree that Dickie was motm.

If we’re going to be more of a threat going forward Robinson needs to find a formation and way of playing that suits the midfielders we have at our disposal. Ledson has too much of a free role at the moment, imo. He’s running around aimlessly at times and looks knackered when he gets the ball. I think he’d be better suited to a deeper role, breaking up play in front of the defenders and playing forward into Rothwell and Brannagan (the latter is playing too deep, to my mind).

To a great extent, though, we’re limited because of our lack of wide players and pace. We have no natural wingers (other than Napa who is still very weak and IBR who, I think, has played his last match for the club. I said when he signed it wasn’t the type of player we needed. Loan signings are generally not what’s needed when teams are struggling, especially ones as weak and inexperienced as him). The manager seemed to imply that he was pleased to have Mowatt back on Tuesday. Why, make I ask? He offers nothing different in terms of style of play to our other midfielders, and has been massively disappointing all season. Maybe he’s seen something in training we haven’t yet.

Another thing that continues to frustrate is our two strikers’ inability to play well when they start a game. Both of them seem to do everything right when they come on as a sub (shutting down, challenging for headers, even scoring occasionally!), but when they start all of that seems to go out of the window.

All in all, I really am yet to feel we are safe. Perhaps one win from our next two matches will change that, but based on our recent performances I’d say that is a big ‘perhaps’.

Hate to be negative, but I always do my best to remain positive when I’m at the match, but I need to vent on here.

I just really hope we can get this terrible, terrible season out of the way and stay up by the skin of our teeth. Maybe in the summer Tiger/ Robinson will deliver on their promise of a squad overhaul, and we’ll return to where we were 18 or so months ago.

Mowatt offers a decent free kick - was gonna say dead ball situation but after Pompey that wouldn't be accurate

As for being safe, I agree we are clearly not safe yet and 50 points is unlikely to be enough this year either - neither side seriously looked like scoring today and it is hard to see how we can change that, especially with our two bogey teams coming up

Obika was woeful today up front - how can such a big bloke continuously fail to win headers and have such powder puff attempts on goal

 

[jambon46]

Neither team did both had shots of line. Dickie had 2 before Thomas blasted over.

Definitely would've lost that under faz seemed alot more comfortable at the back although people say Ricardinho had a good game personally think he was are weak point at lb sat to narrow and let them overload on the left.

I thought we looked better on the left than we have done for a while, not outstanding but better than against Shrewsbury.

 

[RATC]

I thought we looked better on the left than we have done for a while, not outstanding but better than against Shrewsbury.

We were better but we're still vulnerable there. Ricardinho was sitting too narrow at times and allowing there men time on the wing. Maybe this is because he wasn't getting Backed up very well but either him or one of the CM has to be out on that flank they werw getting to much joy down there.

 

[Marked Ox]

Awful touch (and I've never seen him involved in a full bloodied 50/50). Would love to see his pass completion stats, can't be much more than 10%. Brannagan however...cant remember him not finding a yellow shirt today (with either foot). Him and Dickie stand out performers for me. Followed by Ricky and Kane who showed endeavour. (Rothwell and Ledson also triers and put a real shift in)

Thought Lego was a bit anonymous today. Agree on the others though.

 

[Marked Ox]

I think that was one of our hardest remaining games. Six pointers are always tough and it was a very intense contest.

Well apart from Blackburn and Wigan away plus bogey team Southend.