Home Match Day Thread 09/04/25: Championship - OUFC v QPR

[Northstandboy]

 

[uptheus]

So easy to say that after the event but when you're in the battle you don't have rational thoughts like that plus imagine the crowd reaction if he 'wimped out' of a tackle

Thought it at the time/before the challenge

 

[AssHead]

I feel pretty sorry for MH. First half last night, he was up top on his own, with three players behind him unable to press when he 'went'. That, along with, for the second game running an opponent having 75% plus possession for a long period, plus a team who refused to get out of the box when clearing a corner or defensive action and you might want to cut the lad some slack.

Bradshaw came on and we changed formation, forgoing the one lone man up front tactic. Bradshaw had far more support and willing runners around him.

Thought you were talking about Helik (MH) initially.

I have no sympathy for Harris. He’s cowardly in aerial challenges, going missing for long periods and - the most damning thing you can say about a striker - he never ever looks like scoring. He’s scored 2 since September(!)

Centre forward was a problem area when Rowett arrived and he has absolutely not fixed it. He has had Scarlett, Bradshaw, and Romeny under his management. He hasn’t bothered to experiment with Phillips (target man) or false nines, or bring back O’Donker.
We’ve been playing since Sep with ten men - yes, it is harsh but tell me I’m wrong.

 

[joeldemain]

 

[Oxfordpete]

Finally been brave enough to watch the highlights of game, I do think Cummings could have done better with first 2 goals
Flapped at first and wasn’t brave enough for second

 

[tonyw]

Finally been brave enough to watch the highlights of game, I do think Cummings could have done better with first 2 goals
Flapped at first and wasn’t brave enough for second

It's less about bravery as about decision making off his line for the second for me. At the moment the header comes back across, if he's read it properly and he goes for it, it's an easy claim (or at very least an easy punch). Instead, he stays rooted to his line and allows the ball to drop centrally inside his six yard box.

I know he has been great for most of the year (and the stats suggest he's been Top Five in the league in terms of goals saved) but for me, that's four bad mistakes he's made in our last seven (the second against Coventry, the second against Hull and the first two against QPR).

The PotY race was starting to become a battle in my head......but after this run, I think it's now back to being 100% Ciaron Brown (and unfortunately, he doesn't look like he's going to have a chance to wreck his own case now).

 

[Nadi-]

Placheta and Dembele are just not good enough for Championship level, too inconsistent, don't deliver enough chances. goals or even a pattern of play where their team mates can play around them knowing roughly what they're going to do. Rodrigues also not good enough and - although I personally thought him better than Rodrigues first half of the season, Rowett obviously doesn't think that El Miz is good enough either.
Harris works hard but clearly isn't a first choice Championship number 9 who'll consistently provide a goal threat, whilst Bradshaw looks to have clever touches he appears to be winding down his career and - apart from one season a couple of years ago - seems to have a similar threat level to Harris. Romeny also doesn't appear to have the qualities needed for a starting forward at this level.
All of this means that we have very little threat, as evidenced by our leading goal scorer having 6 goals and Leigh, Brown and Helik all being within at most 3 goals of being joint top scorer.
The recruitment in this area was incredibly poor in both summer and January windows and we need a huge clear out and at least six options coming in who have enough quality to be fighting for starting positions (3 or 4 will need to start) for next season.
Finally, a word on Dembele - as above I don't think he's good enough, but Rowett decided to keep him on and change his position last night. Siriki then did what he often does, which is get caught on the ball with seemingly about 3 different options going through his brain and the delayed decision getting him caught in possession. Rowett then subbed him before play re-started after the goal had been scored and brought on Mattos. Dembele needs to improve, but that goal was on Rowett.

Games in the championship are lost in midfield and won out wide, we were poor and 2nd best in both those areas Wednesday.
And to make matters worse, the rest were just as bad.

 

[Bigdwoolly]

I know this match is now a distant memory, but living in Scotland I get to very few home games (I can't even remember the last game at the Kassam I attended), but I brought my 3 kids to this one and despite the result/performance they all really enjoyed it, as did I to be fair.
So a well done firstly to the club, but also to the wider OUFC fan base, I thought the atmosphere and general support was excellent especially given we were losing almost the entire game.

 

[Foley]

I know this match is now a distant memory, but living in Scotland I get to very few home games (I can't even remember the last game at the Kassam I attended), but I brought my 3 kids to this one and despite the result/performance they all really enjoyed it, as did I to be fair.
So a well done firstly to the club, but also to the wider OUFC fan base, I thought the atmosphere and general support was excellent especially given we were losing almost the entire game.

It is really good if the fans get behind the team even when they are 2 down at home in a game they were hoping to win.
Real support when the players need it.