6/08/22 - L1: OUFC v Cambridge United

[southlondonyellow]

You obviously weren’t at the game. It’s already been said it’s a two way thing, team / crowd prompting support and performance in equal measure. I’ve never felt quite so dispirited during the first half as we laboured to get anything going and that drains any enthusiasm I can tell you, but there was noise early on.

I was at the game, and we were painfully quiet, that is a fact. You say it’s a two way thing, but for me I don’t get that. We should all do our bit at least and then we can moan if the players don’t do theirs

 

[Mad Dog]

I was at the game, and we were painfully quiet, that is a fact. You say it’s a two way thing, but for me I don’t get that. We should all do our bit at least and then we can moan if the players don’t do theirs

It is a two way thing, in that it’s up to the fans to create the noise and buzz at the start of the game, to get the team going, but it’s then up to the team to play with speed, power and aggression, create chances and take shots, which in turn then gets the crowd going.

The crowd can be the twelfth man, but the eleven on the pitch need to play their part as well.

The scenes after the winner today show that if it happens on the pitch, it’ll get the reaction it deserves.

 

[Osei Yaw]

I thought Bate looked a very good little player. Unsurprisingly he's not going to be the enforcer that a certain someone on here thought he was so I think we still need a brute in there. That said, MackGwane was good in there today, but I'd like the option to play him further forward.

 

[holdsteady]

We didn’t/couldn’t seem to get going today, we look rusty and disjointed and are not exactly flying out of the blocks. So in some ways that makes it a massive 3 points today, especially after losing the first game and the way we won it at the end.

Plus sides are obviously Goodrham, great first goal and whatever happens from here in his career he will never forget that. I thought McGuane and Findlay were impressive, Bate was another bright spot in and must be close to a start.

 

[Gregortheox]

An unbelievable moment at the end for those who were in the ground....and of course, what a day for TG! We all went home pretty buoyant because the finish and build up was sublime.

However, we were a bit s**t today if we are all being honest. I did come away feeling positive about Findlay, McGuane, the cameo from Bate and of course the goal, but what the bloody hell have we been doing in pre season!?....Our fullbacks never ventured on, Capt.Moore was sloppier than a hookers undercarriage, Cam Bran was thinking about the weight of his fishing net rather than his passing, and Taylor jogged around like Trevor Aylott with a hernia.

Much improvement needed throughout along with fullbacks and a striker.

 

[Bath Yellow]

Same old problems arose again, we were very lucky to get a win after a poor performance in many quarters against a team of bullyboys and a shocking referee with the Gas to come next week who we know play the same way..

 

[WRox]

The balance of the team isn’t there yet, but I was encouraged today that Bate will resolve that.

We look so much more solid in central defence with Findlay but can’t play out as effectively as we have in the past. McGuane has been a monster, but the 4231 last week and Browne in the 3 today hasn’t made it easy for us to play through midfield. Seddon was far better today, but the full backs - especially Long - aren’t capable of alleviating much pressure in that sense either. So we’ve ended up being more direct and sending long balls up to Taylor and Bodin.

The ending today was wonderful, but shouldn’t paper over the cracks. If we want to get back to the positive passing football of last year (to go with our improved defensive resilience), then a move to 433 with Bate-McGuane-Brannagan may well be a step in the right direction. Bate looked very comfortable with the ball under pressure and keen to play quick short passes. Hopefully we’ll see a technically sound right back in soon too. Nothing wrong with Long as cover, and especially centre back cover, but I want Moore and Findlay to have a couple of options every time they’re on the ball. Not have full backs passing back to them and a midfield that’s pretty much all pushed on.

 

[Common Villager]

Flat performance and atmosphere. The whole match really had a pre-season fixture feel about it. The lack of pace, movement and urgency made for what was one of the most boring matches at the Kassam I can remember for a long time.

Something is definitely not right in terms of the balance of the team, especially in midfield. Brannagan has been a passenger is both matches so far. Taylor looks far too isolated. We need to get Browne into positions where he can run at defenders.

What a goal and moment for Goodrham, though. He's obviously got a lot of talent and I'm looking forward to seeing more of what he can do as the season progresses. From his interviews he seems like a lovely, genuine lad as well.

Overall, not a game worth dwelling on for too long. I think the most pressing matter is that Robinson and his coaching staff need to find a formation that suits our best players and gets them into positions where they can be more influential.

 

[CCYellow]

'I had a big bet on today for a nil nil draw.

For a long time it was looking like that was the way it was heading, I was very worried in the second half when Cambrdge were creating some great chances. The penalty appeals not being given helped it.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything to disallow Goodhram's goal, so all my efforts throughout the game to ensure the nil nil were wasted right at the end!!'

 

[Scotchegg]

Don't get me wrong, it was a poor performance today. But I think a few are forgetting that we had a stonewall penalty not given just as we were beginning to find a bit of form in the first half. If that's given and we score then I think the whole team would have relaxed and started playing with more freedom.

At the end of the day it didn't matter and a poor or lucky win gets you more points than an unlucky defeat. We've clearly got more players to come in, and a little bit of shuffling to see how we get the best out of them. But I fancy us to get something from Bristol next weekend, and win the next three against Lincoln, Morecombe and Cheltenham. 13/15 points by the end of the month will do nicely until we really gel!

 

[Paul Moody's Left Boot]

I'm surprised at all the doom and gloom. I don't think today's victory was ever in doubt. Yes, we left it late, but I think there was only every going to be one winner today. I'm confident we will take this winning form on the road to Bristol next week.

 

[southlondonyellow]

It is a two way thing, in that it’s up to the fans to create the noise and buzz at the start of the game, to get the team going, but it’s then up to the team to play with speed, power and aggression, create chances and take shots, which in turn then gets the crowd going.

The crowd can be the twelfth man, but the eleven on the pitch need to play their part as well.

The scenes after the winner today show that if it happens on the pitch, it’ll get the reaction it deserves.

You only sing when you’re winning

 

[Yellowarmy]

Do people really expect a flowing, cohesive performance after just 1 game. Interesting to note that only peterborough have won twice and they were 2 down at cheltenham. Everyone is in the same boat. Even Liverpool. Its just about points accumulation for the next month or so

 

[OxfordBoy]

Whats up with Taylor? Seems to have lost the ability to control, pass and shoot.

Rewind back a year ago and people were asking this for the first 10 or so games, he then ended up getting 19 in about 35 games from that point on

 

[TailsWeWin]

Do people really expect a flowing, cohesive performance after just 1 game. Interesting to note that only peterborough have won twice and they were 2 down at cheltenham. Everyone is in the same boat. Even Liverpool. Its just about points accumulation for the next month or so

No; not when we bring in players so late and are still looking for a few more into August.. How can they possibly have had time to gel? We are 3/4 weeks behind schedule.

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Flat performance and atmosphere. The whole match really had a pre-season fixture feel about it. The lack of pace, movement and urgency made for what was one of the most boring matches at the Kassam I can remember for a long time.

Something is definitely not right in terms of the balance of the team, especially in midfield. Brannagan has been a passenger is both matches so far. Taylor looks far too isolated. We need to get Browne into positions where he can run at defenders.

What a goal and moment for Goodrham, though. He's obviously got a lot of talent and I'm looking forward to seeing more of what he can do as the season progresses. From his interviews he seems like a lovely, genuine lad as well.

Overall, not a game worth dwelling on for too long. I think the most pressing matter is that Robinson and his coaching staff need to find a formation that suits our best players and gets them into positions where they can be more influential.

I had this same feeling, great end to the match but did feel all a bit flat from everyone today

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Rewind back a year ago and people were asking this for the first 10 or so games, he then ended up getting 19 in about 35 games from that point on

Indeed. Rewind exactly a year ago to the equivalent fixture (Charlton) and Taylor was even dropped from the starting line-up for Winnall - and we know how those respective seasons panned out.

No concern from me on that front.

 

[Scotchegg]

No; not when we bring in players so late and are still looking for a few more into August.. How can they possibly have had time to gel? We are 3/4 weeks behind schedule.

Yet only maybe 1 point behind what we would have realistically expected.

2 weeks ago Lewis Bate was going to the Championship. Some things do need waiting for.

 

[Mad Dog]

I’m not concerned one little bit about Taylor, I’m more concerned about the lack of chances we’re creating for him, and how isolated our current style of play is leaving him.

Get players in and around him, or provide him with a strike partner, and create chances for him, and he’s as good as it gets at this level.

 

[Mad Dog]

2 weeks ago Lewis Bate was going to the Championship. Somethings do need waiting for.

That’s fine to wait until late in the window for these little gems to become available, but the nuts and bolts of the squad should have well and truly been in place, and be well oiled by then.