Away Match Day Thread 08/11/2025 - MDT: West Bromwich Albion v OUFC

[Northstandboy]

 

[TailsWeWin]

For those who think the January transfer window will be a solution (complete or partial) it’s worth remembering that EVERY OTHER TEAM also has the opportunity to improve.
And who has the most chance of doing so?
It’s not us, is it?

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

Always surprises me when people think that the players that we sign are all down to Rowett when it isn’t. Recruiting is key and we are not getting it right, we have gambled on a few foreign players trying to get cheaper quality but I’m not sure if that’s going to come off. A very interesting January is coming up and this recruitment team really need to prove their worth in my opinion. Not confident.

 

[OX14]

I didn’t mention Stoke and nor did you in your reply. Hence I mentioned the teams I thought we were discussing m, but yes, we did beat them and it was a good game.

Agree with Des and you may well be right with Rowett. Who would you suggest in terms of improving us? I’ve tried to think and the managers I’d want are already employed (although they weren’t when we hired Rowett).

I'm not sure we have to go down the route of an unemployed manager waiting for the next opportunity if we act now.

David Wagner or Gary O'Neil should be on our list of potential managers though.

 

[Yellows1]

How long before our fans are singing ‘Gary Rowett, your football is s**t’!! after a 0-0 bore!

Today???!!!

 

[HillBilly]

As the guy on the radio said - "We need to sack Gary Rowett and then hire Gary Rowett. He's the only guy with a proven track record of keeping teams in this division"

Appreciate that oxymoron @Oxymoron

Another's our form. Players, fans, manager rightly gutted. Rowett basically saying on the radio he'd sack himself soon. We've shipped soft goals, lacked confidence, haven't taken a team to the sword since Derby County, and still picked up 5 in 5. What's that called? Unacceptably alright maybe?

This is the kind of slump I dreamt of last season, at times when I couldn't see where we'd pick up any points from anyone. Now the team's better, and I can't see why we don't take something from every game, but we're still 4 points and 5 places down on this point last year.

Matchday 16 was also at home to Middlesbrough in 2024. It'll be a good test to see how far we've really come.

 

[carefreeoufc]

I'm not sure we have to go down the route of an unemployed manager waiting for the next opportunity if we act now.

David Wagner or Gary O'Neil should be on our list of potential managers though.

Rowett (in over 500 games) has a win percentage that is 10% higher than O’Neil over 100 games.

Nothing to suggest O’Neil won’t improve, but it feels a bit risky. Wagner might be interesting and is better than O’Neil, albeit it’s still 5% behind Rowett.

 

[Victor1986]

I do not rate GR. However he will NOT be sacked. There is no Planning Permission for the new stadium until all the Section 106 matters are agreed and signed off - this will be months away and another hefty wedge which is causing much wringing of hands in Indonesia..They are casting around for new sugar daddies and may very well find someone shortly but who is driving the bus atm? Do they understand us fans? I don't want to be back watching us play Northampton next season.

 

[OX14]

Rowett (in over 500 games) has a win percentage that is 10% higher than O’Neil over 100 games.

Nothing to suggest O’Neil won’t improve, but it feels a bit risky. Wagner might be interesting and is better than O’Neil, albeit it’s still 5% behind Rowett.

I understand Rowett has a better win rate than the other 2 but both O'Neil and Wagner have managed in the Premier league which is a different kettle of fish than the championship with regards to the wealth of the top 6 clubs.

Whoever comes in will be judged on their points per game with us, Rowett's after 43 games is 1.19.

 

[headingtonoldboy]

We could end up playing Swindon next season....shudder shudder ...

 

[carefreeoufc]

I understand Rowett has a better win rate than the other 2 but both O'Neil and Wagner have managed in the Premier league which is a different kettle of fish than the championship with regards to the wealth of the top 6 clubs.

Whoever comes in will be judged on their points per game with us, Rowett's after 43 games is 1.19.

Which would be 54.74 points and keep us up in a normal season. Only just, mind you.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Which would be 54.74 points and keep us up in a normal season. Only just, mind you.

54 points would be absolutely fine

 

[Swinny]

Where’s the coaching? Who’s building the players up and preparing them for matches? Who’s getting our wingers to just do the simple things rather than doing what they want (badly)? Who’s getting the players to concentrate should we take the lead? Who’s seeing the same old nonsense that happens most games and trying to fix it?

Not expecting miracles, I’ll take 21st if that’s all we can muster…but the negative tactics and mindset must just soul-destroying for the players, and it feels like we’re almost as lost and listless and we were under Des.

Tyler situation sums it all up. A seasoned Championship manager given a talented young player who should be in his prime for improving and pushing on…and he doesn’t even make the bench.

GR doesn’t want to be Oxford manager - it’s beneath him. He’s done his bit to keep us up once, but we’re just little Oxford and he can’t do it again.

 

[Londox]

I do not rate GR. However he will NOT be sacked. There is no Planning Permission for the new stadium until all the Section 106 matters are agreed and signed off - this will be months away and another hefty wedge which is causing much wringing of hands in Indonesia..They are casting around for new sugar daddies and may very well find someone shortly but who is driving the bus atm? Do they understand us fans? I don't want to be back watching us play Northampton next season.

Gary Rowett has a good record at this level. He should be called into question but it's not as simple here as saying he's out of his depth.

Recruitment has been mixed, look at how well Charlton are doing and I believe their budget is similar to ours.

 

[carefreeoufc]

Gary Rowett has a good record at this level. He should be called into question but it's not as simple here as saying he's out of his depth.

Recruitment has been mixed, look at how well Charlton are doing and I believe their budget is similar to ours.

Other than Stoke in 2019, Rowett has averaged around 40% win rate in his managerial career. With Oxford (and Stoke) it’s around 30%.

I guess it comes down to whether you think that Rowett is doing another Stoke (good squad on paper but not the performances) or were a turd that can’t be polished.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

I understand Rowett has a better win rate than the other 2 but both O'Neil and Wagner have managed in the Premier league which is a different kettle of fish than the championship with regards to the wealth of the top 6 clubs.

Whoever comes in will be judged on their points per game with us, Rowett's after 43 games is 1.19.

Correct it is but we are a Championship club in a relegation fight, out of O’Neil, Wagner and Rowett who has the most experience in that situation?
Spoiler alert…it’s Rowett.

 

[uptheus]

We could end up playing Swindon next season....shudder shudder ...

And get replaced by Bolton!!

 

[ArrowsNumber9]

GR doesn’t want to be Oxford manager - it’s beneath him. He’s done his bit to keep us up once, but we’re just little Oxford and he can’t do it again.

This is exactly my view too, I don’t get any vibes from him he wants to be in his role any longer than he has to.

 

[Old Man]

I’m completely lost with the ups and downs off and on the football pitch at OUFC . There is no answer but for what it’s worth , and my opinion , attack is the best defence, get stuck in from the off .

 

[OX14]

Correct it is but we are a Championship club in a relegation fight, out of O’Neil, Wagner and Rowett who has the most experience in that situation?
Spoiler alert…it’s Rowett.

I believe we are only in a relegation scrap due to Rowett's tactics, game management and squad choice.

We beat Derby 5 games ago overtaking them and since then they've won 4 in a row and are up to 10th. That shows we can compete.

Games we should of got more from this season are Pompey, Hull, Sheffield United, Leicester and Today.

We aren't getting blown away by anyone either, even the Stoke 3-0 we could of scored a couple and it would have been alot closer.

 

[tomoufc]

I do not rate GR. However he will NOT be sacked. There is no Planning Permission for the new stadium until all the Section 106 matters are agreed and signed off - this will be months away and another hefty wedge which is causing much wringing of hands in Indonesia..They are casting around for new sugar daddies and may very well find someone shortly but who is driving the bus atm? Do they understand us fans? I don't want to be back watching us play Northampton next season.

One thing’s missing from posts which are looking forward to him being sacked. Fan pressure to sack a manager only works when the board need a fall guy to cover their own ineptitude. We won’t see anything like the scenes at Norwhich while they are pumping millions into a new stadium. If they sack him it’ll be entirely their call, and I’d be shocked if it happened while we’re out of the relegation zone.

 

[tomoufc]

I believe we are only in a relegation scrap due to Rowett's tactics, game management and squad choice.

We beat Derby 5 games ago overtaking them and since then they've won 4 in a row and are up to 10th. That shows we can compete.

Games we should of got more from this season are Pompey, Hull, Sheffield United, Leicester and Today.

We aren't getting blown away by anyone either, even the Stoke 3-0 we could have scored a couple and it would have been alot closer.

Our first choice XI is decent. The squad is pish, and anyone managing to keep us up will have performed a miracle. On the basis that we are possibly slightly behind that curve, then Rowett is falling just short of miracle making. Very unlikely we’ll find better.

 

[uptheus]

Our first choice XI is decent. The squad is pish, and anyone managing to keep us up will have performed a miracle. On the basis that we are possibly slightly behind that curve, then Rowett is falling just short of miracle making. Very unlikely we’ll find better.

But would you say the first XI/squad is better than last season?

 

[tomoufc]

But would you say the first XI/squad is better than last season?

Not sure if I'm qualified to comment, but yes perhaps a little.

 

[uptheus]

I believe we are only in a relegation scrap due to Rowett's tactics, game management and squad choice.

We beat Derby 5 games ago overtaking them and since then they've won 4 in a row and are up to 10th. That shows we can compete.

Games we should of got more from this season are Pompey, Hull, Sheffield United, Leicester and Today.

We aren't getting blown away by anyone either, even the Stoke 3-0 we could have scored a couple and it would have been alot closer.

I also thought it was negative of Rowett to even mention that we’re in a relegation battle the other week, so early in the season and being out of the relegation places.

If we were in the relegation positions and miles off of the other teams around us, then yes, but that wasn’t/isn’t the case.

Just another unnecessary negative/unwarranted comment.

The whole mentality surrounding the team needs to change by truly believing that we deserve to be in this league and that we can beat anyone, home or away.

 

[90syeIlow]

I also think it’s negative for Rowett to even mention that we’re in a relegation battle the other week, so early in the season and out of the relegation places.

Yes, if we in the relegation positions and miles off of the other teams around us, then yes, but that wasn’t the case.

Just another unnecessary negative position comment.

The whole mentality surrounding the team needs to change by truly believing that we deserve to be in this league and that we can beat anyone, home or away.

You make a good point and this is why I'm sick of him. He doesn't believe in his players and it's clear he doesn't fill them with confidence by talking about a relegation fight etc. Other posters get slammed for talking about 'small club mentality', but it's a legitimate problem and this squad is seriously under-utilised.

If he actually developed some belief and allowed them to play football we would be looking up the table instead of down.

 

[OX14]

Our first choice XI is decent. The squad is pish, and anyone managing to keep us up will have performed a miracle. On the basis that we are possibly slightly behind that curve, then Rowett is falling just short of miracle making. Very unlikely we’ll find better.

The overall squad still needs improvement but it's alot better than last season. Fans need to stop with Rowett is a miracle worker as we have the lowest budget talk, it's already been proven our budget is more mid table than bottom of the league.

Every game this season we have been competitive and being abit braver, tactical switch or bringing subs on slightly earlier could of swayed the result in our favour.

Rowett thrives on coming into clubs where they are under performing for the previous manager and saves them that season. Beyond that he hasn't achieved much in his 500 game career.

 

[PottersRightBoot]

It’s all about players. When two of your most promising defenders, who are pacy and energetic are missing you’re going to struggle. Injuries contributed to our defeat today more than anything else.

Here are our championship standard players. It is not a long list.

Cumming , Helik, Spencer, Currie, Brown, Brannagan, Krastev ( but get more involved man), Dembele ( likewise). De K looks knackered.

Good

The support is championship standard though. Excellent again today.

Brannagan was brilliant. He could have scored a hat trick on another day. The keeper saved them a point

The centre backs dealt with the high bamks and set pieces superbly.

Bad

Most everything else.

 

[Ewes]

Not sure if I'm qualified to comment, but yes perhaps a little.

On paper I think this season’s squad is better, but on the pitch they’re not better, and probably marginally worse.

 

[uptheus]

It’s all about players. When two of your most promising defenders, who are pacy and energetic are missing you’re going to struggle. Injuries contributed to our defeat today more than anything else.

Here are our championship standard players. It is not a long list.

Cumming , Helik, Spencer, Currie, Brown, Brannagan, Krastev ( but get more involved man), Dembele ( likewise). De K looks knackered.

Good

The support is championship standard though. Excellent again today.

Brannagan was brilliant. He could have scored a hat trick on another day. The keeper saved them a point

The centre backs dealt with the high bamks and set pieces superbly.

Bad

Most everything else.

Tim, this hasn’t been our problem e.g. not having Spencer and Currie. I actually think Spencer was becoming a bit naive at times before his injury, a bit like Kioso was, and I was getting frustrated with Currie too, a bit lightweight and wasn’t really getting forward, but having said that, Leigh hasn’t covered himself in glory either.

The issue is, Placheta and Krastev or whoever plays in these roles e.g. Mills, Dembele, Prelec etc have got to work harder, be stronger and then deliver more in their primary roles, like beating defenders, finding a good pass/cross, but get back and support their team mates rather than make a token jog back!

Keersmaecker needs to up his game too, been poor since he returned after the last international break. I’m starting to wonder if he’s homesick or feels he’s made a mistake in joining us, but whatever it is, his body language looks wrong.

 

[uptheus]

On paper I think this season’s squad is better, but on the pitch they’re not better, and probably marginally worse.

I tend to agree with you, so what do you think is not quite right?