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

[Northstandboy]

 

[Chris on a Bike]

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.

Proven? Has it? By whom?

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Proven? Has it? By whom?

Don’t ask difficult questions.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

For a sense of perspective look at Plymouth, who are currently sitting stone dead last in League 1.

Luton are ninth.

We're doing alright.

 

[Mad Dog]

For a sense of perspective look at Plymouth, who are currently sitting stone dead last in League 1.

Luton are ninth.

We're doing alright.

I’d be inclined to say that just proves how we need to be throwing everything at improving the squad quickly and moving onwards and upwards asap, as we can clearly see we can’t afford to get dragged back down to league one, as who knows how far we’ll slide and when we’ll make it back to The Championship again?

 

[uptheus]

The saying is right, but in this case I don’t believe it is Rowett picking his players, so it’s difficult to lay the unbalanced squad issues at his door. He’s only working with what he’s been given.

We have some talented players; but we are carrying too many in this squad that are not able to affect games at Championship level.

I agree with you, but my questioning if the saying was right was more in the terms of, if a workman had shite tools e.g. blunt or not the right tool, then obviously it will have an impact on the final product, a bit like Rowett with the tools (players) he has at his disposal etc!

Having said that, I don’t think Rowett has helped himself!

 

[Made-in-Jericho]

Hope the owners realise that throwing as much effort, brains and money to stay up will be cheaper and quicker than relegation back to L1 and trying to get back up again. If we want to be a Championship club.
It’s a far more attractive club all round, for investors, fans, media coverage, in this division than the one below.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

Not read the thread yet and have deliberately stayed away from SM generally. But, here are my musings after another defeat:

Our main source of attacking intent and chance creation is from Brannagan’s 25 yard speculative efforts. That is not a sustainable method of staying up, imo. We need to create more from open play, and the wide men and forwards need to offer more than they currently are.

Helik has been poor for a number of weeks now, I’d not be adverse to him missing out for Davies to get a run of games.

Jamie Cumming is making the same mistakes every game - pushing the ball into trouble, is it 3 goals it’s now cost us in 3 games? He has no competition for his place, so hopefully he rediscovers his excellent form, sharpish.

I think BDK and Brannagan are running on empty in the centre of the pitch, and they are an injury waiting to happen. That is a product of the awful squad composition that was done in the summer by Waldron and the recruitment team. Lose one of those two for 4-6 weeks, prior to January and I think it could be terminal for the season, they are THAT important right now.

We’ve a big few games coming up, and I think we need 25 points by Jan 1st to stay in touch and hopefully add a couple of oven ready first team players to the group, while churning some of the dead wood.

I believe Rowett remains the man for the job, he’s just got to be given the right tool box to get it done!

I thought Helik was superb at the Hawthorns. Yes Heggebo got across him for the winner but that was a fantastic header in all fairness.
Other than that Helik played very well.

Helik was named in the team of the day.

 

[Eaststanding]

For a sense of perspective look at Plymouth, who are currently sitting stone dead last in League 1.

Luton are ninth.

We're doing alright.

I wish I could be content with just ‘alright’.
We’ve made it back to the Championship, arguably the best league in the UK, after twenty odd years away and have the opportunity to galvanise and build on our first year back. I don’t fancy kicking around the lower end of the table for the foreseeable future when we could and should be aiming higher.
A new stadium demands a manager and squad to match it. We haven’t got that at the moment.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I wish I could be content with just ‘alright’.
We’ve made it back to the Championship, arguably the best league in the UK, after twenty odd years away and have the opportunity to galvanise and build on our first year back. I don’t fancy kicking around the lower end of the table for the foreseeable future when we could and should be aiming higher.
A new stadium demands a manager and squad to match it. We haven’t got that at the moment.

You realize the new ground will still be one of the smallest in the Championship? We don't have a divine right to be higher in the table though the new ground will let us spend more.

 

[holdsteady]

I wish I could be content with just ‘alright’.
We’ve made it back to the Championship, arguably the best league in the UK, after twenty odd years away and have the opportunity to galvanise and build on our first year back. I don’t fancy kicking around the lower end of the table for the foreseeable future when we could and should be aiming higher.
A new stadium demands a manager and squad to match it. We haven’t got that at the moment.

Er, it's a good level to play at but that's not an argument, its just not.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

I wish I could be content with just ‘alright’.
We’ve made it back to the Championship, arguably the best league in the UK, after twenty odd years away and have the opportunity to galvanise and build on our first year back. I don’t fancy kicking around the lower end of the table for the foreseeable future when we could and should be aiming higher.
A new stadium demands a manager and squad to match it. We haven’t got that at the moment.

So you're demanding constant growth, a la Wrexham, (formerly) Luton, Bournemouth.

That's fine, but at some point you need to be realistic. There are 92 clubs all trying to do the same thing. Most are failing miserably to do it. We've had a 15-year upwards trajectory curve, jumping three divisions with no relegations.

That's absolutely astonishing, and sets us apart from most football clubs outside the top 18 PL clubs.

The second Championship season is a nightmare. It catches out most clubs. We're struggling - our squad is just not good enough - but we're not in the relegation zone. We are picking up points. Things are on a knife edge at the moment but we're not out of it yet.

I don't see how anyone could realistically expect Oxford United to be outside of the bottom 10 in the Championship this year. We're doing fine.

 

[bazzer9461]

You've proved my point, so us not having anywhere near the lowest budget in the league suggests we're underperforming.

My point? How does Wrexham spending 35 million say we have beat the lowest budget as there are clubs bigger than ours in this league and tbh we are probably the smallest club in the championship.
Wrexham had and will continue to have Hollywood money.

 

[90syeIlow]

So you're demanding constant growth, a la Wrexham, (formerly) Luton, Bournemouth.

That's fine, but at some point you need to be realistic. There are 92 clubs all trying to do the same thing. Most are failing miserably to do it. We've had a 15-year upwards trajectory curve, jumping three divisions with no relegations.

That's absolutely astonishing, and sets us apart from most football clubs outside the top 18 PL clubs.

The second Championship season is a nightmare. It catches out most clubs. We're struggling - our squad is just not good enough - but we're not in the relegation zone. We are picking up points. Things are on a knife edge at the moment but we're not out of it yet.

I don't see how anyone could realistically expect Oxford United to be outside of the bottom 10 in the Championship this year. We're doing fine.

But we're not doing fine. Out of the teams below us, Sheff Wed had a points deduction while Norwich and Sheff Utd are having freak seasons due to starting with poor managerial choices which they've now replaced.

We should be in the bottom 3 and concerned about our status in the division since we are dropping points relentlessly and our head coach looks like he's lost for motivation and ideas. We can't just 'hope' our way to Championship survival.

 

[OX14]

But we're not doing fine. Out of the teams below us, Sheff Wed had a points deduction while Norwich and Sheff Utd are having freak seasons due to starting with poor managerial choices which they've now replaced.

We should be in the bottom 3 and concerned about our status in the division since we are dropping points relentlessly and our head coach looks like he's lost for motivation and ideas. We can't just 'hope' our way to Championship survival.

Don't talk sense it's wasted on deluded fans on here

Only 5 games to go and we can really compare proven championship manager who has had two additional transfer windows over plucky Des Buckingham.

Rowett needs 5 points from 5 games that are against Middlesbrough (h), Norwich (a), Ipswich (h), Swansea (a) and Blackburn (a) just to match Des last season who apparently was out of his depth.

 

[Eaststanding]

You realize the new ground will still be one of the smallest in the Championship? We don't have a divine right to be higher in the table though the new ground will let us spend more.

No club has a divine right to be in any league and I’m satisfied the owners aren’t showing signs of over reaching; we are one of the smaller clubs in the division and long may we keep on punching above our weight and trying to go even further.

 

[Eaststanding]

Er, it's a good level to play at but that's not an argument, it’s just not.

It is if you’re not a fan of sterile atmospheres, VAR and over paid primadonnas. No doubt our PL is highly regarded worldwide and the success of our clubs in European competition is fantastic but give me the Championship any day.

 

[90syeIlow]

Don't talk sense it's wasted on deluded fans on here

Only 5 games to go and we can really compare proven championship manager who has had two additional transfer windows over plucky Des Buckingham.

Rowett needs 5 points from 5 games that are against Middlesbrough (h), Norwich (a), Ipswich (h), Swansea (a) and Blackburn (a) just to match Des last season who apparently was out of his depth.

True.

The only excuse I can give GR is the diabolical pre-season which was shaped by the owners and was a large factor in our slow start and terrible performances.

Since then, we’ve been wildly inconsistent and only really play our best football when we stop being pragmatic and let the players play football.

I’m not buying the excuse of ‘We need a better squad’ since this squad outplayed Leicester and Coventry for an entire half at the Kassam.

 

[Gregortheox]

The players look scared/stifled and bereft of any inspiration.

 

[Stranger]

The players look scared/stifled and bereft of any inspiration.

I thought that was the fans

 

[BTCW]

True.

The only excuse I can give GR is the diabolical pre-season which was shaped by the owners and was a large factor in our slow start and terrible performances.

Since then, we’ve been wildly inconsistent and only really play our best football when we stop being pragmatic and let the players play football.

I’m not buying the excuse of ‘We need a better squad’ since this squad outplayed Leicester and Coventry for an entire half at the Kassam.

See I completely disagree.

We’ve not got the quality to play free flowing football. I’d rather we be hard to score against (2 clean sheets in 15 this season) and play for 1-0s.

 

[90syeIlow]

See I completely disagree.

We’ve not got the quality to play free flowing football. I’d rather we be hard to score against (2 clean sheets in 15 this season) and play for 1-0s.

I didn't state 'free-flowing football'.

I'm basically referring to not hoofing it from defence to attack, such as when we played Bristol City away.

 

[werthersoriginal]

See I completely disagree.

We’ve not got the quality to play free flowing football. I’d rather we be hard to score against (2 clean sheets in 15 this season) and play for 1-0s.

The trouble is, this season we've been more attacking at times and created chances but we haven't been great at taking them. In other games we've been conservative and defensive but then we've let in silly goals through individual errors. Maybe Gary isn't quite sure which way to go and the players are a bit confused.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

The second Championship season is a nightmare. It catches out most clubs.

Actually, it only 'catches out' (roughly) 1 in 5.

This myth that if you stay up you get smashed in the 2nd season is just that, a myth. And it doesn't help when it's so readily repeated that it becomes accepted wisdom on here.

You're actually more likely to improve your finishing position in your 2nd season than you are to go down.

And the few clubs in recent years that have dropped in their 2nd season (Plymouth, Blackpool) did so having made horrific managerial appointments going into those relegation seasons in what were completely suicidal roles of the dice.

Clubs with stable management and sensible improvements to the playing staff can absolutely expect to do better (or certainly, same again).

There is obviously a debate as to how well we've done on the 'sensible improvements' - but we certainly went into this season (or this summer) with every chance of building on last season.

And that's what we should be judging this season against - not some vague notion of a 2nd season hoodoo.

 

[Trevor L]

It's all opinions.

I don't subscribe to the second season syndrome idea, for me it's up there with gypsy curses as an explanation for poor results. I also find the low budget argument less than helpful.

I do wonder a bit about the time players seem to take to recover from injuries though, the lack of adequate full back cover, and the over-dependence on two midfielders who are expected to play every game in a physically demanding league.

 

[TailsWeWin]

It's all opinions.

I don't subscribe to the second season syndrome idea, for me it's up there with gypsy curses as an explanation for poor results. I also find the low budget argument less than helpful.

I do wonder a bit about the time players seem to take to recover from injuries though, the lack of adequate full back cover, and the over-dependence on two midfielders who are expected to play every game in a physically demanding league.

Yes; seems odd to me (1) how many injuries we seem to sustain
(2) how long our players seem to take to recover

 

[Bret chill]

'I Have to Find A Solution' - Gary Rowett Discusses Oxford United Future

Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett is far from impressed with how his side have performed in recent weeks.

lastwordonsports.com

 

[londonyellow]

Yes; seems odd to me (1) how many injuries we seem to sustain
(2) how long our players seem to take to recover

All fans think this. But if you look at other teams in the Championship you'll see we're doing pretty well, injuries wise.

For example, Bristol City have 11 players out, Norwich have 10 out, Preston have 9 out as do Pompey, Millwall 8 etc

 

[Trevor L]

All fans think this. But if you look at other teams in the Championship you'll see we're doing pretty well, injuries wise.

For example, Bristol City have 11 players out, Norwich have 10 out, Preston have 9 out as do Pompey, Millwall 8 etc

Maybe down in part to the ridiculous scheduling, with international breaks leading to intensive 3-game weeks. Bad for players, bad for fans, and due to a bloated world cup qualifying schedule with many meaningless mismatches.

Also, how is a club with 11 injuries in a squad of 25 supposed to field a bench? More generally, 18 players out of 25 involved is too many in my view, given injuries and suspensions - someone at the FA should use a calculator.

 

[Sarge]

Maybe down in part to the ridiculous scheduling, with international breaks leading to intensive 3-game weeks. Bad for players, bad for fans, and due to a bloated world cup qualifying schedule with many meaningless mismatches.

Also, how is a club with 11 injuries in a squad of 25 supposed to field a bench? More generally, 18 players out of 25 involved is too many in my view, given injuries and suspensions - someone at the FA should use a calculator.

Agree
and re FA using a calculator, they should- however the FA and sensible decisions tend not to mix all that well

 

[LowerSouth]

It's all opinions.

I don't subscribe to the second season syndrome idea, for me it's up there with gypsy curses as an explanation for poor results. I also find the low budget argument less than helpful.

I do wonder a bit about the time players seem to take to recover from injuries though, the lack of adequate full back cover, and the over-dependence on two midfielders who are expected to play every game in a physically demanding league.

Surely that only reinforces that our recruitment has been poorly targeted.