Home Match Build-Up 11/04/2026 - Build-Up: Oxford United v Watford

What will the result be?

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The Voice Of Reason said:
@Northstandboy hi when this goes to MDT rather than freeze it and start again can't you just change title so conversation continues
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We actually spoke about this. It would be easier for us too if they lived together but we felt there would be push back against it.

 
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Huge game!

MPH hasn’t looked bothered, and hasn’t contributed much at all in recent weeks, and we know what we’re gonna get from Placheta, which ain’t much, so unleash Jin Woo from the start, with actual football boots and not ice skates please!

f*****g go for it!
 
I can see the merits of playing McDonnell to help track Louza's runs, and give the wingers some freedom, but I'm thinking Donley's dip in form might be due to the international break, and we'll want his left-footed deliveries. He could also win us some freekicks (as could Jin-woo or Placheta).

Looking at the stats, aside from Sheffield Wednesday, no team has conceded more set-piece goals than Watford this season.

They're going up against one of the most dangerous teams in the league from set pieces.

Got to get Helik and Brown into their box as often as possible.
 
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TailsWeWin said:
One day we’ll look back and say, Blimey that lad played for us once. Donley has a great future and will go higher than anyone else in the squad.
Including Currie and Lanks.
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Absolutely. He and Konak together have completely transformed the way we play. They'll both likely go higher. It's not always they who shine most visibly but their impact overall can't be underestimated. Having some mobility and energy at CDM and the threat of a decent creative pass from Donley in the #10 means the opposition have to work for their dinners and can't simply turn up, hold a shape then pass around us as they like. We haven't always made the most of it due to underlying squad quality (still too slow and predictable from goal kicks and out of defence, relatively weak on the left) but those players with a wee bit more quality who were being easily restricted by our one dimensional style before, most notably Cam and Stan, are thriving. In Donley's case playing most of a game against Italy as an isolated lone striker then starting and scoring against Wales a few days later definitely means he's not been at his best in the last couple of matches but with five games to go he *must* start if fit. Actually hope he's spent most of this week on light dutes.
 
There is no getting away from it; this is about as much of a must win game, as must win games get.

I’d not be looking to make many changes subject to all players being fit, but I wouldn’t be against Placheta getting a start instead of Donley, with MPH moving into the 10 and Placheta playing off the left.

Hopefully the repeat offender ST holders that never turn up, actually do for this one.
 
ECYellow said:
There is no getting away from it; this is about as much of a must win game, as must win games get.

I’d not be looking to make many changes subject to all players being fit, but I wouldn’t be against Placheta getting a start instead of Donley, with MPH moving into the 10 and Placheta playing off the left.

Hopefully the repeat offender ST holders that never turn up, actually do for this one.
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Same old seats and blue dots
 
SirAndyOfCrosby said:
But starting a slow, weak and predictable centre-midfielder against a side (Watford) that (every time I've seen them) have been a team of imposing physical specimens throughout the park - that's asking for trouble.

A well refreshed Konak every day of the week and twice on Saturday.
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Agree 100%, and in fact would take it further - not only do Watford have a bunch of serious athletes, they also have two proper magician-technicians in Louza and Chakvetadze. To beat them, you absolutely have to get into the face of those two. If you give them time on the ball, they'll destroy you.

This is a game absolutely tailormade for Konak. If we start the Brannagan-Vaulks midfield, they'll run rings around us.
 
tonyw said:
Agree 100%, and in fact would take it further - not only do Watford have a bunch of serious athletes, they also have two proper magician-technicians in Louza and Chakvetadze. To beat them, you absolutely have to get into the face of those two. If you give them time on the ball, they'll destroy you.

This is a game absolutely tailormade for Konak. If we start the Brannagan-Vaulks midfield, they'll run rings around us.
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They are a strange side though, for all the athleticism and talent they are nowhere near contenders, which tells you they are not consistent, get the team and game plan right and this is winnable.
 
holdsteady said:
They are a strange side though, for all the athleticism and talent they are nowhere near contenders, which tells you they are not consistent, get the team and game plan right and this is winnable.
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Oh for sure.

But I think at least part of that game plan has to involve Konak at his chasing and harrying and being a general annoyance to the Watford playmakers best.

Vaulks and Brannagan just can't do that as effectively.
 
I'm buzzing for this game I hope the fans in the ground bring the roof down this game is huge we can win there is no reason why we can't

This is our chance let's f*****g take it and put three points on the board
 
Eric Blair said:
Agree mostly. Out of interest why did you go McDonnell rather than Konack? Young lad in need of a rest?

I think Donley is crucial despite what others say.
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We were really impressed with McDonnell at Coventry - seemed to have good defensive play. I'd like to see him start as I think he'd be a good counter against Watford. It's not that there's anything wrong with Konak though. I just felt that he hasn't been as great the last couple of matches and was starting to look tired against Portsmouth after 30 minutes or so.
 
ECYellow said:
There is no getting away from it; this is about as much of a must win game, as must win games get.

I’d not be looking to make many changes subject to all players being fit, but I wouldn’t be against Placheta getting a start instead of Donley, with MPH moving into the 10 and Placheta playing off the left.

Hopefully the repeat offender ST holders that never turn up, actually do for this one.
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On the point of empty seats I noticed there weren’t as many at Portsmouth as we get at a sell out at our place.
I’m not sure it was a complete sell out either on Monday, I wonder whether they have a ST attendance ruling in place.
 
Will be minimal changes I think. I am slightly concerned about the wing-backs though. Long cannot stand off his man otherwise we are toast. Likewise who plays on the left? Currie but is he fully fit? Otherwise Spencer, but is he a red card waiting to happen. Ter Avest...most accomplished of all but similarly not great in the one on one.

Rest of the team picks itself. It's a shame we don't have much on the bench to change things up.
 
Berliner said:
Will be minimal changes I think. I am slightly concerned about the wing-backs though. Long cannot stand off his man otherwise we are toast. Likewise who plays on the left? Currie but is he fully fit? Otherwise Spencer, but is he a red card waiting to happen. Ter Avest...most accomplished of all but similarly not great in the one on one.

Rest of the team picks itself. It's a shame we don't have much on the bench to change things up.
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First of all I really hope we don't play wing backs!
 
On the subject of buses, I caught the 600 on Good Friday. It is certainly now the quickest way to the stadium from town, I'd say it's the quickest from the train station too if you don't mind walking to Westgate. Limited stop up the Abingdon Road and doesn't go through Littlemore or Sandford either. 20 minute journey if traffic doesn't get in the way. Leaves Westgate at 11 and 41 past on Saturdays.
 
Steve Martin has officiated us a few times, we've had the good Steve Martin and a poor version. I hate the focus, my focus, on the referees. I know more about them than the opposition sometimes
:)

Regarding team selection, I hope Bloomfield knows who he can trust to perform, there's a couple now who look like they can't be arsed as they know they won't be here gone the Summer - MPH being one IMO.
 
Berliner said:
Will be minimal changes I think. I am slightly concerned about the wing-backs though. Long cannot stand off his man otherwise we are toast. Likewise who plays on the left? Currie but is he fully fit? Otherwise Spencer, but is he a red card waiting to happen. Ter Avest...most accomplished of all but similarly not great in the one on one.

Rest of the team picks itself. It's a shame we don't have much on the bench to change things up.
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Easy. Currie on the left; Spencer right.
 
TailsWeWin said:
Easy. Currie on the left; Spencer right.
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I was about to say the exact same thing, those two are the best full backs in the squad when fully fit. Spencer has shown the past few games at left back that he he is back towards his best, harsh on long who I think has been superb, but would prefer a 100% Spencer.
 
Twiggy85 said:
I was about to say the exact same thing, those two are the best full backs in the squad when fully fit. Spencer has shown the past few games at left back that he he is back towards his best, harsh on long who I think has been superb, but would prefer a 100% Spencer.
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It's bizarre that we have three decent right backs. Wish we had three decent strikers!
 
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