Transfer News 2022/23 Season Incoming Transfers and a few other things

[Joey]

You make some valid points, what i will clarify re expectation is that there are people that do "expect" us to be top 2 and further "expect" that we will beat your Lincoln, Bristol Rovers hence my lay down whilst we tickle their tummy comment.Someone the other day said why don't we just go and "Buy" a decent striker and i suspect this comes from believing that because our Owners have a few quid that we'll be able to just spend spend spend without thought of sustainability of the club.

It is clear that we have and are trying to become a side hard to beat and this means we are not having the fluidity going forward, therefore comments about needing to replace Matty Taylor are Bizarre and likewise Findlay is not a Mcnally type player and is more the solid defender that many craved for.

Football fans always have and always will have varying opinions on players and management and often so wide apart in their thought process, that doesn't mean there is a right and wrong which is exactly what some are trying to turn some debates into.

People want cover for the Full Backs and that is fine but that does not mean that what we have are not good enough, there has been talk of Sam Long being slow etc and I have countered that by stating he has an excellent power of recovery and gave examples of being at the opposition byline and catching the attacker before the halfway line and making superb tackles in the process.

on to the games so far

Against Derby we were ok nothing more and frankly they were nothing special either, we got beat due to a sloppy basic pass that contributed to a well taken goal.

Cambridge was one of those games that happen from time to time and brings me to not having the fluidity of last season so far, we scored a cracking goal and brought the same outcome as Late winners against Wednesday and Pompey etc last season.

Bristol was pretty much a copy of Derby with plenty of the ball but lacking fluidity (that word again) and were beat by another lapse in concentration from their free kick and it was sloppy because the players had been drilled on this.

Lincoln were actually very astute because early doors they allowed us to play out from the back and then suddenly pressed us causing surprise and some panic at times.The first goal was another careless sloppy mistake allowing a striker to walk between 2 defenders for a nod in after a decent cross. The 2nd was rather like Derby where nobody attacked the man with the ball and he placed a delightful shot passed our keeper. 2nd half we were on top and despite some comments to the contrary we did indeed create chances and looked like scoring and overall was better that what we saw against Bristol.

We have retained most of last seasons squad that clearly had team spirit and were playing for the shirt and Maanger, so again reading comments that this season they are not and Karl may have lost the dressing room is baffling.

On reflection draws from all 4 would probably be about right so we are a point short, if some see that as a need to replace the Manager because they feel we should be beating some of those we played then that's their opinion. What needs bringing to the forefront again is that it's clear we are trying to become more solid as a unit and harder to beat, you might see us have to sacrifice some of the more attacking at pace of last season from time to time but again some said last season they prefer we won 1-0 than risk a 2-2 or 2-3. Sometimes though we will make mistakes and lose 1-0 or 1-2 that's football.

A sensible post but wanted to highlight this part. I think this is a little reductive as it ignores the fact of why we've struggled so far, and I don't think anyone can say we've played well this season. Most understand that no one is going to roll over and we need earn the right to win an individual game, but the bigger picture is we are hamstrung by the squad composition again. If you reduce it to just four individual games then you can make arguments that we should have had a point here, were unlucky there etc but the squad still has gaping holes in it in some places while being choc full of high risk signings in other areas and this has undoubtedly contributed to another slow start. If you look over four years rather than four weeks this is a repeating pattern under KR and that is what's getting at people, certainly myself. If you have the faith that he will suddenly decide to prioritise a solid defence and sign a load of robust players who are likely to last the season then fair enough but all evidence points to that not being the case and until it is I doubt we'll see much progress.

I'll reiterate what I've said before, I don't think KR is a bad manager but I don't think he's a particularly good one either hence us struggling to take that next step. We went close a few years back but since then it's been backwards steps, even if they aren't very big ones. We were dominated by Blackpool and the comments after that about needing more power in the middle of the park have come back to haunt him as they haven't been addressed in the following three transfer windows. The frustrating thing is how simple the solution appears to almost everyone, it's been spoken about in great length on here and yet nothing is done, likewise defensive cover, full backs (you imply you don't agree with the thought that ours aren't good enough, I think it's hard to make that argument, especially regarding Seddon) and a plan B striker. I can put up with the occasional performance that we've seen this season, they're human beings and prone to mistakes, they're also playing in League 1 for a reason. What I can't accept is the same issues every single transfer window and the seeming willingness to ignore them from the manager plus the same risks with injured players leading to yet another hodge podge start to the season where we find ourselves well behind before it's even started.

Apologies, this seems to have gone off track from the transfer window thread and more to do with KR. Let's sign some bloody full backs shall we? Anyone heard anything?

 

[Oxford1996]

He might have actually watched him play football in the 100odd games he has played and formed an opinion. Radical, I know.

You mean the 100 odd games of L2/L1. That isn’t a level above ours.

Factor in he hasn’t scored more than 1 goal in a season since 2017.. 5 YEARS.

 

[tatabanya]

You mean the 100 odd games of L2/L1. That isn’t a level above ours.

Factor in he hasn’t scored more than 1 goal in a season since 2017.. 5 YEARS.

Performance level - you can watch a player and form an opinion that they are a level above what we’ve got. He might be proven wrong, but he’s entitled to form that opinion.

If you’re ignorant to a player’s ability beyond googling them then that’s fine, but you don’t assume that others are too.

 

[greatunclekip]

People don't make millions in business by either "winging it" or "chucking" money around ..several shareholders have even been involved in football at management level before but whether they trust KR's instincts too much to be good is another point. Though atm am sure he has pressure from many sides and if another club came with an offer can't blame him to be tempted.

Id suggest he is comfortable and stubborn because he doesn't have pressure. After the collapse last season he should have been desperate to get it right if there was pressure, yet according to some wasted early summer seeing if there was interest from QPR!

 

[Scrongo]

Eh? What part of that makes him clueless?
You must be ITK for the day to day running of the club to say that surely. It’s not like our backroom staff turnover has been massive either.

Seems like an overly aggressive response to something that doesn’t suit your agenda.
It looks like Robinson is going to get til Christmas pretty much whatever happens, so we can go around questioning the intelligence of our fellow Oxford fans for their viewpoints, or we can actually have (try) constructive debates over the positives and negatives. I know which one I want to do.

1 nothing to do with you
2 not aggressive
3 no agenda what so ever
4 I remember my first post on hear, he jumped on me with others, acussing me of being a scum fan& saying get rid of him .for having an opinion on a forum . Did I cry? No!!!!!!
5 get over it I'm more concerned with how things are going with oufc at the moment,than your opinion.
6 thank you
7 goodbye

Eh? What part of that makes him clueless?
You must be ITK for the day to day running of the club to say that surely. It’s not like our backroom staff turnover has been massive either.

Seems like an overly aggressive response to something that doesn’t suit your agenda.
It looks like Robinson is going to get til Christmas pretty much whatever happens, so we can go around questioning the intelligence of our fellow Oxford fans for their viewpoints, or we can actually have (try) constructive debates over the positives and negatives. I know which one I want to do.

 

[Oxford1996]

Performance level - you can watch a player and form an opinion that they are a level above what we’ve got. He might be proven wrong, but he’s entitled to form that opinion.

If you’re ignorant to a player’s ability beyond googling them then that’s fine, but you don’t assume that others are too.

Whatever you say pal. Jodi Jones isn’t a ‘level above’ Oxford.

 

[Lescottsforehead]

Whatever you say pal. Jodi Jones isn’t a ‘level above’ Oxford.

View attachment 9881

By your reckoning then no one that has yet to play above L1 level is not above playing L1 level. Hope no championship teams are scouting the leagues below!

 

[Oxford1996]

By your reckoning then no one that has yet to play above L1 level is not above playing L1 level. Hope no championship teams are scouting the leagues below!

Bit of a jump there pal. I’d rather we was recruiting players from League 2 who played 35+ times last season.

Doubt the players they’re scouting have done their ACL 3/4 times and played single digits games in about 5 years.

It’s indefensible.

 

[Yellowecky]

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SIGN SOMEONE????

 

[Lescottsforehead]

Bit of a jump there pal. I’d rather we was recruiting players from League 2 who played 35+ times last season.

Doubt the players they’re scouting have done their ACL 3/4 times and played single digits games in about 5 years.

It’s indefensible.

You suggested the fact that he’s only played 92 minutes as a reason he can’t be above L1 level, if that’s the bar then surely you’re saying that any player that hasn’t played more than 92 minutes above L1 level isn’t above this level, no?

 

[tatabanya]

Whatever you say pal. Jodi Jones isn’t a ‘level above’ Oxford.

View attachment 9881

Amazing

 

[Zakstratton]

You'd normally have a Head of Football Ops/Sporting Director/Director of Football reporting to the MD and managing the Head Coach. We don't have that and, from what I know, NM doesn't 'manage' KR either. Just the commercial/non-footballing side of the club.

Niall McWilliams from what I have seen is very Heavily involved with Stadium discussions between the council and club. I could be wrong, but I'd go as far as saying his main objective/Role at the club since being here is getting the stadium situation sorted (obviously with the backing of the board of directors). But with his Local knowledge and being a well respected Headteacher one would assume he is a respected character by the Council. However, I know he also works extremely hard for the club not just the stadium project.

I don't think KR would work under a Director Of Football. I think he enjoys the freedom and the control that brings and I think he would struggle to relinquish that control to a DOF.

The annoyance for me this year has been how clearly we need stronger full-backs. I think Seddon is still able to have a role in the squad, As does Long. But Since KR has been here can anyone really suggest we have had competition for LB and RB. Ruffles was a CM and used by Appleton as a LB. I'm not suggesting this was a bad move, but I get the feeling full backs are a bit of "that'll do" to KR. Its certainly an area of the pitch the club has struggled to recruit for a number of years now.

As for other recruits this season I'm not really convinced yet. There seems to be a lack of pace in the side, Particularly, on the left. I'm not for a minute suggesting Jones, Murphy are slow but I certainly haven't seen them run yet? Wildschut has a grade 4 Hamstring injury, He is also 30, I'm not expecting him to be overly fast either on his return. Baldock we all knew he has injury issues as does Browne (who I think has looked really up for it this year, will be a big miss if serious). Matty needs pacey wingers that can scare the opposition and whip in dangerous crosses. We don't have that at the moment. Gavin Whyte for example his end product was disappointing last year but his assist's were vital.

We have played the same way (pretty much) since Robinson arrived. It has, to some extent worked. We have achieved a Play Off place twice. But I just cant help thinking what would be if (Henry shot) we had started the season better, Had the ability to bully teams and beat physical teams, had less Injuries and ultimately have different ways of playing when needed. I just think Teams know how we play now, therefore we can be a little predictable at times. I think we will finish okay this year. I think we will miss out on a play off spot (merely predicting after 4 games probably isn't ideal) but I just feel we lack something and I cant quite put my finger on it. But I'm not a professional football coach so i may have just wasted your time typing that, we beat Morecambe Saturday and go unbeaten for 10 games.

 

[Oxford1996]

You suggested the fact that he’s only played 92 minutes as a reason he can’t be above L1 level, if that’s the bar then surely you’re saying that any player that hasn’t played more than 92 minutes above L1 level isn’t above this level, no?

I’ve suggested his stats say differently.

They don’t even suggest he’s above L2 level.

I’d rather we go out and sign one of the best wingers in L2 last year. Like an Asante. Like a NICKY CADDEN. Not a crock like Jones.

You can’t just ignore he’s been out injured for years upon years either.

 

[Cotswolds Cowboy]

We need to win a few games so people can lighten up
Hopefully starting Saturday...

 

[Cotswolds Cowboy]

Serious question now…….any news on Marcus Browne? Apologies if something has been said already.

We are almost certainly waiting for the results of a scan to assess the damage

 

[unification]

This is the crux of the matter, I believe.

Optimistic fans believe that he will change and fix his blind spots or the club will put structures around him that will mitigate them. Fans that are not behind him don't believe he can change and can't see the needed structure being put in place, so the same failings will continue. If there is no belief that this work why would they want to go on with the current manager.

KR has managed 658 career games to date. All but 52 of them have been at League 1 level with one season in the Championship with MK Dons in 2015-16. He's made four playoff campaigns (2010-11, 2011-12, 2019-20, 2020-21) and has made the final once, losing it. He's lost all the others in the semis.

Maybe I'm being cruel on him for those. Getting there is no mean feat. Nevertheless, it's a pattern of a nearly man - a good manager without that X-factor to make his teams that touch better to win through on the day. On our day, we can be sparkling under KR. We're also a soft touch against the rough housers of this division and the top sides (remember Max Power's 'soft belly' comment about us when Sunderland beat us at the SoL in 2021).

If he hasn't changed it after that many games, he never will. He does a good enough job to stay hanging around and we'll win more than we lose. To get up though, we need to avoid losing a lot more.

I've seen talk on here of ruthlessness with players. 'If you're not good enough, get rid' etc. That question seriously needs to be asked of the manager now. If Eastwood, Long, Seddon, Bodin et al have a ceiling of League 1, then KR does too.

 

[Swaby39]

I’ve suggested his stats say differently.

They don’t even suggest he’s above L2 level.

I’d rather we go out and sign one of the best wingers in L2 last year. Like an Asante. Like a NICKY CADDEN. Not a crock like Jones.

You can’t just ignore he’s been out injured for years upon years either.

What about a previous L1 team of the year winger? Suspect there’s a reason he doesn’t count?

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

This is the crux of the matter, I believe.

Optimistic fans believe that he will change and fix his blind spots or the club will put structures around him that will mitigate them. Fans that are not behind him don't believe he can change and can't see the needed structure being put in place, so the same failings will continue. If there is no belief that this work why would they want to go on with the current manager.

Actually, the most 'optimistic' on here plainly refuse to accept that there are any blind spots altogether.

 

[Oxford1996]

What about a previous L1 team of the year winger? Suspect there’s a reason he doesn’t count?

Wildschut doesn’t have a history of injuries? He played 30-40 games last year didn’t he?

 

[horseman]

Id suggest he is comfortable and stubborn because he doesn't have pressure. After the collapse last season he should have been desperate to get it right if there was pressure, yet according to some wasted early summer seeing if there was interest from QPR!

Do you actually know this to be the case though?

Why would he as a Manager not want to try to get us over the line, after all it's to the benefit of both himself and the football club.

Re alleged interest from Qpr, why just like players should any employee not be allowed to keep their options open and make the next step?

For as long as there are Play Offs as i've often said things will be looked at differently, where once if you finished 20+ pts from a promotion place you had to address it,now as long as you can be in and around the play off place there's more leniancy.

For what you perceive as collapse i would counter that but for earlier excellent "results" including Pompey Ipswich Wednesday etc, teams btw many say we never beat then we would not have been in the mix.