Championship 11/03/2026 - MDT: Oxford United v Blackburn Rovers

[Carpy]

 

[uptheus]

Great result and good first half. Shame we went deep/reverted to 5 at the back in the last 15-20, just allowed them to dictate the game. It was weird as we were on the front foot, but I guess it’s all about the result at the end of the day.

I was hoping more from MPH, but he seemed to drift in and out of the game. Would have been good if he had scored and got our second, but wasn’t to be, so was a nail biting end to the game.

Long or Brannagan or both were my men of the match. Showed the determination and desire n we need for this run in.

 

[uptheus]

I do think we haven’t got to get too far ahead of ourselves and lose sight of how valuable a draw and solitary point can be. We aren’t going to keep this winning run going for the next nine games and a draw at home to Charlton won’t be the worst result after tonight. Of course we will want to win but I’d have taken four from these two before tonight.

Feel we need to win both the home games (Blackburn & Charlton), but I’ll take a draw away to Southampton!!

 

[sideshowrob]

At last we are out of the bottom 3 in the Predicted Table! (see stats section on the top of this site).

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

I think he got told not to going around chasing and to hold to make it difficult for them to play throw the lines, but there were a couple of times he should have pressed high, and or, run into the channel as an outlet, but he did neither, very disappointing. Just wondering if he was sure whether to stick or twist!

I remember a really similar situation with Dane Scarlett. He just didn’t quite know how to carry out his remit. No biggie and he’ll be back playing very well.

 

[Wallop]

Only slight disappointment for me tonight, player wise, was Prelec. The difference between him and Lankshear was so stark - one battles and chases everything, the other seemed to stroll around a bit half hearted. Considering he was fresh off the bench I expected much more intensity and energy from him, I don’t think he won a single challenge. Got to do more.

Yes - someone needs to give him a pep talk

 

[Swinny]

Only downside was that A34 being closed and needing to do a MASSIVE detour to get back to Kidlington….Grrrrr.

Not a fan of the subs and being so defensive/deep in those last 20 mins or so, but it worked and assume it was done also with an eye to Saturday and not totally burning everyone out.

I’m actually looking forward to Saturday now…which is a revelation considering I was dreading the end of the season just a few weeks ago!

 

[BicesterU]

Isn't it amazing how we win games when Romeny and Placheta don't play.

Real Madrid stuffed City tonight without Mbappe, so he's s**t too I presume.

 

[Marked Ox]

Just lovely.

One moment of mayhem but otherwise comfortable.

Donley my motm. He knitted the attacking side of our game together. Love Stan Mills, that cross for the goal was superb.

Good Ref. Let the game flow.

 

[OUFC1978]

The last midweek game was Norwich and what a contrast. Stadium against Norwich was half empty by 70mins. Tonight was bouncing until the end. Such a turnaround.
I’m looking forward to spending September watching championship football and seeing workmen at the triangle!

 

[trainingcone]

Great win tonight, gritty performance. Stan Mills tonight was fantastic. We should have got a couple of more goals really. We were the team tonight who likely would have got a result. Blackburn looked poor. Fans tonight were brilliant and also the minute silence and the applause and pausing the match on 15 minutes.

We have given ourselves a fighting chance in staying up. Hope we dont lose agsinst charlton on saturday, a draw wouldnt be the end of the world.

COYY.

 

[McXal]

What an emotional night. Still a little bit in disbelief at how we’ve hauled ourselves back into the mix with consecutive victories almost out of nowhere.

For the first 30 minutes we were really excellent. Among our best passages of play at home all season. Only the Derby performance and the second half against Coventry really sprang to mind as on the same level from an offensive perspective. The goal was thoroughly deserved and it’s frustrating we didn’t get more. And I’ll never criticise Cumming’s kicking again after watching their keeper. I’ve never seen a professional GK seem less capable of kicking a football in my life!

But it wasn’t all positives. The way we stepped back from minutes 35-55 and allowed them back into the game when we were so on top was frustrating. The fact that we then pinned them basically in their AREA (not even their half, their own box) in a relentless spell of set pieces, recycled second phases etc for a good 15 minutes up to around 70 mins but didn’t really create a clear chance (other than MPH, who I thought made the right choice to shoot, but it was a dreadful effort!) was incredibly irritating.

The subs also made us progressively weaker. I didn’t object to matching them up with 5 at the back…and perhaps it helped us see the game out. But it meant we were fundamentally unable to retain even the minimal amount of possession or control we usually have and left us with no option other than to camp on the edge of our box. After some good cameos recently, Prelec seemed quite lethargic and haemorrhaged possession. Losing Konak’s energy in midfield REALLY hurt us (although he did look spent). I’ve no idea where McDonnell was supposed to be playing when he came on…but then again it didn’t appear he did either as he was all at sea and continually had Vaulks, Long, Brannagan and Helik all screaming at him for being out of position.

But getting over the line was huge. We’ve gone 1-0 up a LOT this season. And to my recollection only had one 1-0 win to show for it. We have not been good from that position this season. So to grind it out, play some really good attacking football at times is huge. Blackburn are now right in the mix, and looked a real mess at times today.

And final word for that minute’s silence. Except there are no words. It was beautifully observed. But gut-wrenchingly painful to see her teammates and family emotional at such a time. You can’t even begin to imagine their pain. I went right to my daughters’ rooms and gave them a hug as they slept when I got home…

 

[Littlemore Local]

Another theory that's been bouncing around. Stan Mills is part werewolf. Has anyone seen him on a full moon? I know I haven't.

 

[Wallop]

Last 4 games for all the 5 teams in the mix: 3 wins for Oxford and 1 for all the other 4 between them. IF we can keep that trend going for a few more matches the table will be transformed.

Good stat!

 

[Stanford yellow]

Another goal at the fence end.interested to know the ratio of fence end/Jim Smith stand goals.obviously happy whichever end but curious

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Maybe, just maybe...long may this run continue.

Does anyone else feel the vast majority of our home goals have been scored at The Fence End this season?! Does anyone on here keep stats?

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Spooky! Great minds @Stanford yellow!

 

[Stanford yellow]

Spooky! Great minds @Stanford yellow!

View attachment 34112

Ha ha,thought this after west brom but forgot to post it

 

[Wallop]

Seven twats didn’t turn up tonight and as a result we were under 10K

Well that and 900 away fans

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Great result and good first half. Shame we went deep/reverted to 5 at the back in the last 15-20, just allowed them to dictate the game. It was weird as we were on the front foot, but I guess it’s all about the result at the end of the day.

I was hoping more from MPH, but he seemed to drift in and out of the game. Would have been good if he had scored and got our second, but wasn’t to be, so was a nail biting end to the game.

Long or Brannagan or both were my men of the match. Showed the determination and desire n we need for this run in.

MPH looked knackered after 30 minutes. Perhaps time to make an impact off the bench on Saturday?

 

[Carpy]

At last we are out of the bottom 3 in the Predicted Table! (see stats section on the top of this site).

League Table & Statistics

yellowsforum.co.uk

The results it predicts to work this out are dumb though, 2 more wins and a single draw coupled with 4 1-0 losses in a row, can't see that at all.

 

[Swaby39]

1-0 didn’t really reflect the game, it should’ve been more comfortable but as we all know, the points are what matters and it’s a game at a time. Chalk this one off.

We were good for large parts. There’s some rhythm to this team and partnerships forming. Brannagan and Mills seem to have developed an understanding which is producing opportunities. The importance of that is it gives our opponent something to sort out, where as for much of the season there was no real danger coming from anywhere. We’ve been crying out for this all season and it feels like everybody has just played however they want against us.

Konak is an unsung hero at the moment. I think he’s immense. Need more from MPH than we’ve seen lately, especially if opponents start to focus on stopping Mills.

I felt Blackburn were desperately poor and on tonight’s evidence I think they are certain to go down. They don’t seem to have anything going for them which should give us real encouragement.

It’s going to be one of us, West Brom or Pompey but I think QPR and Charlton (bearing in mind who they play) are still not out of the woods and need another couple of results to be sure. QPR have lost 5 of their last 6 and play Leicester and Portsmouth next.

 

[Wallop]

Almost a perfect night for this exile in my Man City/Utd local. Watching our game - by a personal favour - on my own in the pool room while the rest of the pub is disappointedly watching Man City capitulate to Real Madrid. Our game ends, I ask the barmaid to switch to WBA v Southampton and Southampton equalise seconds after she works out how to change channels. And then an old friend who I haven't seen for ages (occasional OUFC attendee with me until he found himself a partner) walks in and we have a good old chat. After-hours pint and then home on the bus. If Carlsberg...

Tell them about ‘real (not Real Madrid) football’

 

[Village-Yellow]

Last 4 games for all the 5 teams in the mix: 3 wins for Oxford and 1 for all the other 4 between them. IF we can keep that trend going for a few more matches the table will be transformed.

Well, we are giving it a fantastic go!!

Firstly, I have never experienced a minute silence like that tonight. Well done to all involved and thank you to Blackburn fans for their complete respect too….

The girls academy team coming onto the pitch gave us all the opportunity to applaud and support them, followed by some very emotional words from PRB and the exceptional silence that followed. I know there was mixed views on the 15 minute applause, but again this was dealt with brilliantly by the ref and the players.

RIP young lady.

I hope the game, the result and the atmosphere made you a very proud yellow looking down, as indeed I am sure your family, friends and teammates are proud of you.

We continue to have hope, have fight, have belief, we all share the same goal.

Let’s roar the boys home again on Saturday…

So proud of everything tonight.

 

[TailsWeWin]

I do think we haven’t got to get too far ahead of ourselves and lose sight of how valuable a draw and solitary point can be. We aren’t going to keep this winning run going for the next nine games and a draw at home to Charlton won’t be the worst result after tonight. Of course we will want to win but I’d have taken four from these two before tonight.

I wouldn’t.

 

[Oxford84]

Blackburns next 2 games Millwall and Middlesbrough.

 

[Manorlounger]

Just waking up in Sri Lanka to see that the boys won, again! (maybe we should stay here?)

Fly back on Saturday but not early enough to make the game, damn! We'll be trying to follow with whatever Sri Lankan Air can provide by way of internet! (Already know it won't support streaming so, at best, it will be on here or Footmob)

Reading about how the tribute to Amelia went is testament, again, to the strength and empathy of our OUFC family.

 

[tonyw]

1-0 didn’t really reflect the game, it should’ve been more comfortable but as we all know, the points are what matters and it’s a game at a time. Chalk this one off.

We were good for large parts. There’s some rhythm to this team and partnerships forming. Brannagan and Mills seem to have developed an understanding which is producing opportunities. The importance of that is it gives our opponent something to sort out, where as for much of the season there was no real danger coming from anywhere. We’ve been crying out for this all season and it feels like everybody has just played however they want against us.

Konak is an unsung hero at the moment. I think he’s immense. Need more from MPH than we’ve seen lately, especially if opponents start to focus on stopping Mills.

I felt Blackburn were desperately poor and on tonight’s evidence I think they are certain to go down. They don’t seem to have anything going for them which should give us real encouragement.

It’s going to be one of us, West Brom or Pompey but I think QPR and Charlton (bearing in mind who they play) are still not out of the woods and need another couple of results to be sure. QPR have lost 5 of their last 6 and play Leicester and Portsmouth next.

Charlton have 47 points already, Wednesday still to play, and home games left against Preston, Bristol City and Norwich (i.e. mid table teams with nothing to play for, the first two of whom seem to be mailing it in already). I know everyone expected them to be struggling, and they're a little scruffy and boring, but there's absolutely no way they're going down now. They are grinding out results like a boss.

Nah......long shot that QPR get drawn in, but it's really 2 from 5 now, and anybody's game. And the good news is that we know from recent experience that at least two of those other teams are seriously rubbish.

 

[Big Ronaldo]

Just as a footnote. Have we stopped playing that very short tippy-tippy goal kick?
If so, I am bloody glad.
It invites pressure.

 

[Jster]

An excellent' minute's silence last night. I'm not sure I've ever heard a ground go so quiet even in anticipation of the minute, well before it actually started. It was heartbreaking, seeing the family and team-mates out there. Kudos to the ref for the minute of clapping too.

We were excellent for so much of that game, should have been two or three up, but I was a little concerned by that last 20 minutes. Since our first sub we got worse, and Blackburn got better. I realise Cantwell came on for them at the same time as our first sub, and that made a difference for them, but it was mainly the way we chose to play it. I don't think it's a good idea we play a 9-0-1 formation to see out a game. When we did win the ball there was nobody to give it to. An unnecessarily tense end to the game, after we'd been in serene command for most of it.

Anyway, three in a row! What a turnaround it's been.

 

[Mr Perfect]

Overall a very good performance but would have been so much more comfortable if we had converted those earlier chances. I wasn't keen on the later substitutions and inviting pressure for the last part of the game, and that Cumming calamity could have cost us.
Looking at our remaining fixtures Charlton is another ' must win' as will be facing some better teams further on.