Away Match Day Thread 19/08/2023 - L1: Barnsley v OUFC

[ZeroTheHero]

It’s funny, another poster says we were the worst team ever to win 3-1 at Barnsley. A lot of Derby fans had a similar view and fans reluctant to say they were outthought and outplayed, or point out our movement and quick passing.

You always get that, especially from the posters who are trying to make a point about how poor their own team is! 'How bad must we be if we lose to that lot' type thing.

 

[BristolOx]

You always get that, especially from the posters who are trying to make a point about how poor their own team is! 'How bad must we be if we lose to that lot' type thing.

Whereas i found the barnsley commentary great to listen to and pretty fair in their analysis

 

[OX14]

Whereas i found the barnsley commentary great to listen to and pretty fair in their analysis

Yes the Barnsley commentators were full of praise on how we played.

 

[FatOldSun]

Lots of talk about of Harris meant his finish vs Carlisle but did Goodrham REALLY mean his finish today?!

Absolutely. He opened up as if to bend it around the keeper to the far post, and the keeper changed his balance to that direction. Tyler then simply passed it to the keeper's right, and the keeper couldn't get near it as he was wrong-footed.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Just seen the highlights … those second and third goals, all speed and determination! We’ll need more experienced players at times but our youth are looking so good.

 

[windmill]

Have supported the club for 65 years but two away victories like this takes some beating. ... I cannot remember anything better. Happy to be proved wrong, but I think not. Absolutely mega.

 

[Yellowecky]

I would have been happy with 2 points from Derby and Barnsley.

I am having multiple orgasms now.

I was really enjoying this thread………..until now!

 

[Northstandboy]

I would have been happy with 2 points from Derby and Barnsley.

I am having multiple orgasms now.

Good on you at your age

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[Joey]

Brilliant performance again today. Voted for Brannagan as MOTM but could have been him, McGuane or Negru.

Thought 3-1 was slightly flattering to them, their keeper was their best player by a distance, the save from Negru was brilliant.

Like that Harris is shooting when the chance presents itself although he really should have had at least one. GOD was awesome when he came on and absolutely bullied their defenders, all the subs made a positive impact today.

I'd still like full backs more comfortable on the ball and understand we're nearly there with a left back. Really positive stuff and a hell of a turnaround from last season.

 

[Ewes]

Enjoyed the highlights, laughed when Goodrham slotted in the third. Superb week.*





* Unbeaten Bees are buzzing at the top of the S-W Peninsula League (East), too.

Will I see you at Bridport next Saturday Paul?

 

[Theox07]

Brilliant performance again today. Voted for Brannagan as MOTM but could have been him, McGuane or Negru.

Thought 3-1 was slightly flattering to them, their keeper was their best player by a distance, the save from Negru was brilliant.

Like that Harris is shooting when the chance presents itself although he really should have had at least one. GOD was awesome when he came on and absolutely bullied their defenders, all the subs made a positive impact today.

I'd still like full backs more comfortable on the ball and understand we're nearly there with a left back. Really positive stuff and a hell of a turnaround from last season.

If we got attacking fullbacks it wouldn’t work we would leak so many goals are midfield ain’t defensive enough

 

[ChamonixOx]

We had some saying that Long and Brown could never be in a top 6 club, well, they are tonight!!

But the serious point is that this is a team first and foremost. A team where we will see many different MOTM winners throughout the season and very few performances below 7's out of 10. Everyone battles for each other and we have seen in the last two games in particular that when one makes a mistake someone else is there to recover. You could see how much it meant to everyone when Tyler scored, but also how everyone also went to GO'D.

McEachran looked a class apart last Saturday, but when McGuane came on he was 100% on it and ready to play his part. He then gets a chance midweek and takes it with both hands, and McEachran can now play the supporting role. Same with Bodin and Rodrigues, or Stan and Tyler.

We will be a team where the sum of our parts will be greater than any individuals, and I suspect this is one reason why recruitment has been a little harder as we look at the personality of players to fit into the team as well as their abilities.

No counting of chickens just yet, but a week like this at Oxford United is long overdue and I hope there are many more, on and off the pitch.

As an Oxford fan I’m very pleased to see Long and Brown playing out of their skin. Both had a great game. This said, Long’s distribution was still his nemesis at times and therefore we still need to improve, if we can, in this area. I’m guessing you were not born and/or a fan in the Jim Smith era when pushing for perfection was the way forward, I.e. Vinter and Whatmore replaced by Aldridge and Hamilton. Sadly, if we took your happy Monday’s view I doubt 1986 would have ever been half as special!

 

[Joey]

If we got attacking fullbacks it wouldn’t work we would leak so many goals are midfield ain’t defensive enough

They don't even need to be more attacking, just more comfortable on the ball. Long especially gave it away severally times today, it didn't cost us but it could have. I doubt we'll sign another right back with Stevens here too but as good as he's been defensively we could do with a better ball player back there.

 

[Swaby39]

If we got attacking fullbacks it wouldn’t work we would leak so many goals are midfield ain’t defensive enough

Unless… we can find a couple of those extraterrestrial full backs that can defend competently AND decent on the ball?

Brown was good today. Very good in fact. Can’t have any complaints when he plays like that, especially away from home in a game like this. It’s not these games I worry about with him, it’s games like we have coming up where teams will be more withdrawn.

Long. First half. Let’s just say it was one of those times we’ll often have with him this season where we had to pull him through. Second half he gathered himself and was solid and in fairness, Cadden is no mug. Won’t face many tougher wide players than him this year.

Interesting to see the back 5 creeping in to games with Stevens at RWB (did well today) and whether that’s something we’re looking at long term or whether it’s just to see games out. Either way, great to see we can adapt and that we’ve found a way to win, and win well, with two full backs who aren’t going to offer much to our forward play. Props Mr Manning

 

[Golden Dr Otto]

As an Oxford fan I’m very pleased to see Long and Brown playing out of their skin. Both had a great game. This said, Long’s distribution was still his nemesis at times and therefore we still need to improve, if we can, in this area. I’m guessing you were not born and/or a fan in the Jim Smith era when pushing for perfection was the way forward, I.e. Vinter and Whatmore replaced by Aldridge and Hamilton. Sadly, if we took your happy Monday’s view I doubt 1986 would have ever been half as special!

Agreed. Today is the day today enjoy the win. Stanley Mills electric pace and direct running. Negrus imperious presence. Outstanding save or two from Beadle. Mcg and Cambran bossing the middle. Tinker Tyler coming in as a menace. And the big kid bullying the little adults out there near the end. There’s no hiding that long still can’t pick a forward pass and was a bit of a black hole for possession

 

[PottersRightBoot]

What a win. No other team will defeat Derby and Barnsley away from home this season. These are well-resourced, deep, squads we’re up against.

Hope Browne’s not too badly crocked, he’s very important to this new improved Daz of a team.

Manning is doing an excellent turnaround job, we’re hunting for the ball and imposing our personalities in hostile environments. Pace and strength through the spine as well; you don’t get promoted without those qualities

COYY.

 

[Paul Cannell]

Will I see you at Bridport next Saturday Paul?

I hope to be there. Wear an Oxford top and I'll be able to figure out which lino you are.

BTW. Today's linos were both quite active at flagging fouls. And the ref was about 7 foot tall.

 

[Swaby39]

Agreed. Today is the day today enjoy the win. Stanley Mills electric pace and direct running. Negrus imperious presence. Outstanding save or two from Beadle. Mcg and Cambran bossing the middle. Tinker Tyler coming in as a menace. And the big kid bullying the little adults out there near the end. There’s no hiding that long still can’t pick a forward pass and was a bit of a black hole for possession

Mills actually struggled today but came up with the match-winning moment. That second goal put us bang in control at the perfect time. Didn’t quite play out as comfortably as it could’ve been but it was a massively important moment to get the second and it was all him. Brilliant moment for him.

 

[Scotchegg]

As an Oxford fan I’m very pleased to see Long and Brown playing out of their skin. Both had a great game. This said, Long’s distribution was still his nemesis at times and therefore we still need to improve, if we can, in this area. I’m guessing you were not born and/or a fan in the Jim Smith era when pushing for perfection was the way forward, I.e. Vinter and Whatmore replaced by Aldridge and Hamilton. Sadly, if we took your happy Monday’s view I doubt 1986 would have ever been half as special!

I was both born and an a fan during the Jim Smith era. Not sure what a happy Monday's view is, but I'm glad that we were able to Step On and I recall many people at Wembley with the yellow and blue Kinky Afro's along with the hats with horns!!

Long's distribution may well have been his nemesis at times. Equally, his commitment and fight often means that he rescues situations that others wouldn't necessarily get to. My point is that we are seeing the beginning of a really strong and cohesive team where everyone covers for each other, and that is a huge positive.