Away Match Build-Up 12/04/25: Championship - Sheffield Wednesday v OUFC

[Scottie]

I am hoping this prediction comes off

 

[werthersoriginal]

Kip is back being as outrageous as ever

He's such a big soft luvvie!

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Just got my ticket for tomorrow. COYY!

 

[CaptainOx]

Tickets off sale at 3pm today

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Just got my ticket for tomorrow. COYY!

 

[Sarge]

Is the Railway closed or Home fans only now? - It is fairly close to Hillsborough , previously it has been ok for visiting away fans

 

[BillyTurleys CurlyWurly]

Tickets off sale at 3pm today

Only 1,450 sold. Quite disappointing for such a big game

 

[Coffin Dodger]

Kip is back being as outrageous as ever

He's not far wrong though.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

He's not far wrong though.

Well he is because that team is currently 17 places above finishing 10th in league 1 and in a league higher than league 1 and likely to stay up.

We all know we need to improve the squad in the summer without pretending it would only finish mid table in the league below.

 

[Lost Marbles]

Is the Railway closed or Home fans only now? - It is fairly close to Hillsborough , previously it has been ok for visiting away fans

I suspect it's just not been listed because they don't want hordes turning up.

I'm taking my kid to Kelham Island Museum before the game which conveniently has a pub attached.

 

[Mad Dog]

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Cumming
Long, Helik, Nelson, Bennett
Vaulks, Brannagan
Mills, Matos, Placheta
Bradshaw
​

A narrow 2-1 win for the mighty U’s.

 

[tonyw]

I suspect it's just not been listed because they don't want hordes turning up.

I'm taking my kid to Kelham Island Museum before the game which conveniently has a pub attached.

And it's not just a pub - it's one of the best damn pubs in the entire country (assuming that it's the Kelham Island Tavern that you're referring to, and that it hasn't dropped off in the last decade!)

I know he'll hate it, but I think we have to put Cam on the bench for this one. He looked a shadow of his normal self on Wednesday, so we're better off with Matos' energy and physicality. If we're in need of a goal with half an hour to go, switch them then.

Hopefully Greg Leigh can play - if I recall, Wednesday have some proper athletes on the flanks, so I think I would rather counter that with Kioso/Leigh than Long/Bennett.

No idea what to suggest for the front four. I don't see any combination of players there that inspires confidence right now.

 

[RgYellows]

And it's not just a pub - it's one of the best damn pubs in the entire country (assuming that it's the Kelham Island Tavern that you're referring to, and that it hasn't dropped off in the last decade!

And only two minutes walk from an objectively superior pub at that time (Fat Cat).

 

[tonyw]

And only two minutes walk from an objectively superior pub at that time (Fat Cat).

A decade ago, used to go up and stay with friends in Sheffield any time we were playing in Yorkshire. Many happy Friday nights spent between the Kelham and the Fat Cat!

EDIT: Actually now I think about it, used Sheffield as a base for trips to places like Chesterfield and Mansfield as well. Basically any excuse!

 

[greatunclekip]

A decade ago, used to go up and stay with friends in Sheffield any time we were playing in Yorkshire. Many happy Friday nights spent between the Kelham and the Fat Cat!

EDIT: Actually now I think about it, used Sheffield as a base for trips to places like Chesterfield and Mansfield as well. Basically any excuse!

That is generally my Friday night agenda every week! As a real ale fan Ialways said I found my spiritual home in Kelham Island!

I have the advantage tomorrow of having a broad Yorkshire accent !

 

[RgYellows]

I always really liked the Devonshire Cat closer to town, but I went back 5-6 years ago and it absolutely wasn’t the same.

 

[greatunclekip]

I always really liked the Devonshire Cat closer to town, but I went back 5-6 years ago and it absolutely wasn’t the same.

It certainly isn’t the same now it’s closed

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[werthersoriginal]

That is generally my Friday night agenda every week! As a real ale fan Ialways said I found my spiritual home in Kelham Island!

I have the advantage tomorrow of having a broad Yorkshire accent !

Ah once a year you become a genial pub elder statesman

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[Nadi-]

Radio Oxford for me tomorrow, hopefully a much better listen and result. Than that painful watch Wednesday

 

[Lost Marbles]

And it's not just a pub - it's one of the best damn pubs in the entire country (assuming that it's the Kelham Island Tavern that you're referring to, and that it hasn't dropped off in the last decade!)

The pub at the museum is called The Millowners Arms. It's only round the corner from Kelham Island Tavern, which is where I went the last time we played at Hillsborough.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

Let’s hope he sits this one out

 

[greatunclekip]

Ah once a year you become a genial pub elder statesman

You will generally find me with a pint and a paper multiple times per year and I am genial any time. Just not to happy clappers

 

[BicesterU]

Given all we’ve heard about Cam’s knee causing him problems, I wonder if he can manage 3 starts in a week? For what it’s worth, I would’ve be surprised to see Matos come in.

Thought Mills was excellent when he came on on Saturday, Bradshaw too. However, Dembele and Placheta seem to be in favour at the moment, and I’m not sure how Mills fits in the side if they both continue their start. Other than leaving one ok the next, the only way I can think of doing it is having Mills and Placheta as wingbacks, and Dembele as one of the players in behind the forward, as we did for a spell against QPR.

Maybe something like:

Cumming

Nelson Helik Bennett
Mills. Placheta
Vaulks Matos

Goodrham Romeny

Bradshaw

 

[ttg17]

I think it goes under the radar, because it was so early in the season, but the James Henry goal at Hillsborough a few years back was one of my favourite OUFC goals ever. My first big away day post lockdown, my first visit to a genuinely superb ground, it’s one of my defining OUFC moments. I was honestly nearly in tears coming out of the ground, just because it had been so long since I’d had that feeling. It’s been a ground and a team that’s seemed generally kind to us (last December aside) and, very selfishly, with all their horrific off-field activity at the moment, an ideal fixture to have at this point in the season.

Given Rowett’s increasingly apparent distrust of any of our CMs outside of Vaulks, CB and Matos, the decision not to recruit further in that area in January seems increasingly strange. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t start Brannagan here. A superb player he may be, but not one (it sounds like) in a sufficient physical state to start three high intensity games in a week. I’d start Matos and Vaulks, bringing on Cam if needed later on.

I was looking at it today, and I really think we do have, on paper, such a favourable run in. Wednesday, Sunderland and Swans should all be on the beach (or at least, not at full throttle) when we play them, and you’d much rather be facing them now than, say, a couple of months ago. Cardiff will be horrible, a real six pointer, and Leeds will be tough (but so good to be playing them in their ‘falling apart’ stage, especially after last Saturday), but nothing insurmountable. As frustrating as this Wednesday was, we’re still in ultimately the same position: one win, I think, more or less gets us safe.

Can’t make it tomorrow but hope all who do go get their James Henry moment all over again. I think we can do it.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Long shot but does anyone have a spare adult ticket for tomorrow?

 

[arthurturner]

Think mills has to start

Absolutely.