Ref Watch +++ 13/07/20 L1 Play Off FINAL - OUFC v Wycombe+++

[yellowbow]

Simple fact is that we threw that game away at both ends of the pitch. Browne pays attention to the football and we probably go 2-1 up, or at least don’t go 2-1 down as that ball is never smashed up the park. Henry slots the ball into the gaping left hand side of the goal and it’s probably over. Wycombe were flat out from chasing the ball and their entire demeanour changed after the equaliser and the fact that we kept coming. They were rocking and had nearly gone - at the drinks break they had gone from looking steely and puffing their chests out to looking weary and several inches shorter, and Ainsworth was having to gee them up. Once Akinfenwa came on that was it, such is the burden he actually is for them. His arrival was the end of any real threat they posed, and his lack of fitness and mobility combined with how tired the rest already were from chasing the ball meant that the end was nigh. If the winner didn’t come in normal time then there’s no way they would’ve survived an extra half hour. They were spent, as evidenced from that awful back pass that Browne turned his back on, which was the pass of an exhausted man whose legs were turning to jelly. But they were gifted a calamitous penalty, and that was that. They had a slight second wind for the final 10 minutes knowing they were on the verge of winning if they could just stay strong and keep running, and on top of that we lost our heads and began to panic, realising that time was running out. Calmly bringing the ball out of defence and playing balls into feet gave way to slight hesitation and a number of clipped balls forward that were either cleared or ran out of touch.

The second half was a perfect example of how the pendulum swings during a game, and I think that unfortunately the playoffs exposed that we didn’t have the mental strength required. Lots of technically good footballers, very little in the way of balls and no real sign of nastiness that absolutely every team needs. Every successful team at every level has a mixture of ability and nastiness. Even Man City are stroppy, grumpy, dirty gits when things don’t go their way. Ditto Wenger’s invincibles - Bergkamp and Vieira were superb technical footballers but my god they were nasty sods who kicked lumps when it was needed. Liverpool didn’t win the league until Van Dijk was signed and spent 90 minutes barking like a dog and taking no prisoners, and they immediately went on to two consecutive CL finals, finished second in the PL with 97 points and then followed it up by winning it. Even our L2 promotion winners were a mixture of ability and s**t housing. Baldock, Wright, Mullins, Hylton, Maguire, MacDonald: all players who had the nasty side of the game in their locker and took responsibility, and who drove each other and those around them on. I do believe that this is an area where we need to improve and where we fell short this season - having players with the ability and willingness to almost manage themselves and grab games by the scruff when they’re not going for us. We lacked those two or three warriors that you simply need to be successful at any level. Mackie liked to moan at refs rather than gee up those around him, and his legs had gone for good measure, but he was the only real character approaching anything near what I’m talking about. There needed to be a couple of others, who were in turn likely to be on the pitch most of the time, who had that in their game. I think we got too focussed on this idea of humility and respect meaning that you’re quiet and don’t say boo to a goose, and that staying calm will solve every scenario when actually sometimes you need to lose your rag and have a bit of a scrap. One of the Radio Oxford team referred to Wycombe as “more adult” last night and I do think that’s fair and is saying basically exactly the same thing I have. We need to add that 10-20% of grit and steel, because you can’t just swashbuckle your way to success. You will nearly always fall short if you don’t have that second layer which is built on pulling your socks up, and having players who want to manage each other during a battle. I do think it’s something we need to add.

It’ll definitely be a summer of “what if” for a lot of people. We just have to hope that there are plans and that there is a willingness at the club’s end to pull themselves up and go again. The fans will be there as we always are.

Good post

 

[werthersoriginal]

Simple fact is that we threw that game away at both ends of the pitch. Browne pays attention to the football and we probably go 2-1 up, or at least don’t go 2-1 down as that ball is never smashed up the park. Henry slots the ball into the gaping left hand side of the goal and it’s probably over. Wycombe were flat out from chasing the ball and their entire demeanour changed after the equaliser and the fact that we kept coming. They were rocking and had nearly gone - at the drinks break they had gone from looking steely and puffing their chests out to looking weary and several inches shorter, and Ainsworth was having to gee them up. Once Akinfenwa came on that was it, such is the burden he actually is for them. His arrival was the end of any real threat they posed, and his lack of fitness and mobility combined with how tired the rest already were from chasing the ball meant that the end was nigh. If the winner didn’t come in normal time then there’s no way they would’ve survived an extra half hour. They were spent, as evidenced from that awful back pass that Browne turned his back on, which was the pass of an exhausted man whose legs were turning to jelly. But they were gifted a calamitous penalty, and that was that. They had a slight second wind for the final 10 minutes knowing they were on the verge of winning if they could just stay strong and keep running, and on top of that we lost our heads and began to panic, realising that time was running out. Calmly bringing the ball out of defence and playing balls into feet gave way to slight hesitation and a number of clipped balls forward that were either cleared or ran out of touch.

The second half was a perfect example of how the pendulum swings during a game, and I think that unfortunately the playoffs exposed that we didn’t have the mental strength required. Lots of technically good footballers, very little in the way of balls and no real sign of nastiness that absolutely every team needs. Every successful team at every level has a mixture of ability and nastiness. Even Man City are stroppy, grumpy, dirty gits when things don’t go their way. Ditto Wenger’s invincibles - Bergkamp and Vieira were superb technical footballers but my god they were nasty sods who kicked lumps when it was needed. Liverpool didn’t win the league until Van Dijk was signed and spent 90 minutes barking like a dog and taking no prisoners, and they immediately went on to two consecutive CL finals, finished second in the PL with 97 points and then followed it up by winning it. Even our L2 promotion winners were a mixture of ability and s**t housing. Baldock, Wright, Mullins, Hylton, Maguire, MacDonald: all players who had the nasty side of the game in their locker and took responsibility, and who drove each other and those around them on. I do believe that this is an area where we need to improve and where we fell short this season - having players with the ability and willingness to almost manage themselves and grab games by the scruff when they’re not going for us. We lacked those two or three warriors that you simply need to be successful at any level. Mackie liked to moan at refs rather than gee up those around him, and his legs had gone for good measure, but he was the only real character approaching anything near what I’m talking about. There needed to be a couple of others, who were in turn likely to be on the pitch most of the time, who had that in their game. I think we got too focussed on this idea of humility and respect meaning that you’re quiet and don’t say boo to a goose, and that staying calm will solve every scenario when actually sometimes you need to lose your rag and have a bit of a scrap. One of the Radio Oxford team referred to Wycombe as “more adult” last night and I do think that’s fair and is saying basically exactly the same thing I have. We need to add that 10-20% of grit and steel, because you can’t just swashbuckle your way to success. You will nearly always fall short if you don’t have that second layer which is built on pulling your socks up, and having players who want to manage each other during a battle. I do think it’s something we need to add.

It’ll definitely be a summer of “what if” for a lot of people. We just have to hope that there are plans and that there is a willingness at the club’s end to pull themselves up and go again. The fans will be there as we always are.

i think there's a lot in this, though someone who Gorrin has just kicked might disagree that we have 'no real sign of nastiness'. This season we have added a bit of toughness but the toughest players (Mackie and Mousinho) weren't playing, and maybe we could have done with one of them. It felt a bit that Karl was showing off, wanting to demonstrate that he could beat thuggish Wycombe without resorting to gamesmanship or varying his passing game, or even getting as animated as usual.

 

[tonto]

Mousinho should have featured last night

 

[MC Yellow]

Simple fact is that we threw that game away at both ends of the pitch. Browne pays attention to the football and we probably go 2-1 up, or at least don’t go 2-1 down as that ball is never smashed up the park. Henry slots the ball into the gaping left hand side of the goal and it’s probably over. Wycombe were flat out from chasing the ball and their entire demeanour changed after the equaliser and the fact that we kept coming. They were rocking and had nearly gone - at the drinks break they had gone from looking steely and puffing their chests out to looking weary and several inches shorter, and Ainsworth was having to gee them up. Once Akinfenwa came on that was it, such is the burden he actually is for them. His arrival was the end of any real threat they posed, and his lack of fitness and mobility combined with how tired the rest already were from chasing the ball meant that the end was nigh. If the winner didn’t come in normal time then there’s no way they would’ve survived an extra half hour. They were spent, as evidenced from that awful back pass that Browne turned his back on, which was the pass of an exhausted man whose legs were turning to jelly. But they were gifted a calamitous penalty, and that was that. They had a slight second wind for the final 10 minutes knowing they were on the verge of winning if they could just stay strong and keep running, and on top of that we lost our heads and began to panic, realising that time was running out. Calmly bringing the ball out of defence and playing balls into feet gave way to slight hesitation and a number of clipped balls forward that were either cleared or ran out of touch.

The second half was a perfect example of how the pendulum swings during a game, and I think that unfortunately the playoffs exposed that we didn’t have the mental strength required. Lots of technically good footballers, very little in the way of balls and no real sign of nastiness that absolutely every team needs. Every successful team at every level has a mixture of ability and nastiness. Even Man City are stroppy, grumpy, dirty gits when things don’t go their way. Ditto Wenger’s invincibles - Bergkamp and Vieira were superb technical footballers but my god they were nasty sods who kicked lumps when it was needed. Liverpool didn’t win the league until Van Dijk was signed and spent 90 minutes barking like a dog and taking no prisoners, and they immediately went on to two consecutive CL finals, finished second in the PL with 97 points and then followed it up by winning it. Even our L2 promotion winners were a mixture of ability and s**t housing. Baldock, Wright, Mullins, Hylton, Maguire, MacDonald: all players who had the nasty side of the game in their locker and took responsibility, and who drove each other and those around them on. I do believe that this is an area where we need to improve and where we fell short this season - having players with the ability and willingness to almost manage themselves and grab games by the scruff when they’re not going for us. We lacked those two or three warriors that you simply need to be successful at any level. Mackie liked to moan at refs rather than gee up those around him, and his legs had gone for good measure, but he was the only real character approaching anything near what I’m talking about. There needed to be a couple of others, who were in turn likely to be on the pitch most of the time, who had that in their game. I think we got too focussed on this idea of humility and respect meaning that you’re quiet and don’t say boo to a goose, and that staying calm will solve every scenario when actually sometimes you need to lose your rag and have a bit of a scrap. One of the Radio Oxford team referred to Wycombe as “more adult” last night and I do think that’s fair and is saying basically exactly the same thing I have. We need to add that 10-20% of grit and steel, because you can’t just swashbuckle your way to success. You will nearly always fall short if you don’t have that second layer which is built on pulling your socks up, and having players who want to manage each other during a battle. I do think it’s something we need to add.

It’ll definitely be a summer of “what if” for a lot of people. We just have to hope that there are plans and that there is a willingness at the club’s end to pull themselves up and go again. The fans will be there as we always are.

Very well put... but geez, it depresses me.

The loss was the first thing in my mind this morning but I thought I would shake it off and get on with the day... how bloody wrong was I.

I seem to be getting worse as the day goes on.... going over and over those crucial decisions.

Time to throw in the towel.. computer Is shutting down and I’m off to read a book ..... can’t be arsed for the rest of the day.

 

[UTM]

For what it’s worth my ratings for the players. First rating for the game, second rating for the season over all.

Eastwood
4/10 Really poor with the two situations he had to deal with
6/10 Not been his commanding self this season. I know we dont have a huge budget but he really needs a good experienced No. 2 to push him.

Long
6/10 Ok nothing else to add.
7/10 He's really come On this season and probably deserves his new contract but I think we need better if we mean to push on. Cadden showed us what we really require. This ridiculous situation with the lack of specialist fullbacks in the squad needs to be addressed

Dickie
7/10 For me the stand out player, not only last night but for the whole mediocre play off campaign. For as long as I live I’ll never know how he wasnt celebrating a goal last night
9/10 Has been nothing short of a colossus for us this season. Will be a massive loss when he goes

Moore
6/10. The schoolboy error for the second goal will haunt him for a long time. 9 times out of 10 he clears that ball
7/10 Over all a good season where he’s established himself in the first team. Will be one of the first names on the team sheet from now on

Ruffels
5/10. A disappointing game. He was anonymous and as one of our senior players now needed to be more influential
6.5/10 Overall a decent season but, as with the RB position, surely we need more. Liverpool have shown that in the modern game, FB is one of the most influential positions in an attacking sense.

Goran
4/10. Robinson had no choice but to hoik him after yet another reckless challenge. He needs to learn. Poor before he went off anyway.
7/10. Last night shouldnt cloud what has been, over all a good season, considering its his first in english football. There are things that he needs to improve on though, especially the needless dangerous tackles. Refs will soon be influenced by a bad reputation

Brannagan
4/10 Another player who didnt step up when we needed him to show his undoubted talent. A real disappointment
8/10 Over all a great season. Yet another midfielder that has come from academy football, prepared to roll his sleeves up and graft and will goon to bigger and better things. Forgetting last night, thanks for the memories Cam.

Sykes
7/10 A shining light on an otherwise gloomy evening.
7/10 He’s starting showing glimpses of what we can hopefully look forward to seeing more regularly going forward. Applause again for the recruitment department. Pleas keep finding these gems!

Browne
4/10 A real disappointment, just didnt look up for it. I was really hoping the game would be the perfect stage for him to showcase his talent. Flat as a pancake. The lack of effort that lead to Wycombes second goal cannot be ignored or forgotten
7/10 Has shown on several occasions his undoubted ability and improved on his first spell. Needs to learn that success doesnt come with ablity alone though. I think we've probably blown any chance of seeing him in yellow again.

Taylor
6/10 Worked hard but with no reward. Not his fault that he lacked support
7/10 His goals have been invaluable but there are question marks over his fitness. I’ll be happy if he signs permanently but I think we need a striker thats, fitter, stronger, more robust and more mobile.At least to share the workload

Henry
3/10 Really disappointing, in all three play off games for me. That miss will be etched on my memory for years to come.
8/10 Another who’s contribution to what has been a great season shouldnt be forgotten. How he comes back next season will be interesting - if he’s still with us. We might have to go with more economical (younger) alternatives

Kelly
7/10 Finally got his chance and clearly improved us. His fitness levels still concern me though. He looked knackered within 25 mins of coming on.
6/10 Is there a decent player though or does he flatter to deceive? A possible signing for us now but will need to knuckle down and deliver consistently next season.

Other subs didnt play long enough for me to want to assess but of the subs, Agyei and Atkinson will hopefully come to the fore next season. For Agyei in particular, its a make or break season. Forde leaves me feeling meh.. yes he had a bad injury for some of the season but has he really done enough when given a chance. Mackie should now be consigned to a coaching role only.

Robinson
5/10 Ainsworth out foxed him on all counts last night. He was more pumped and left no stone unturned with all the tricks to get the win, including getting the non-playing staff to create an atmosphere. Yes it could be said it was distasteful but Ainsworth realised this was a one off shot and a massive opportunity. He didnt care who he upset and I doubt hes giving it much thought this morning! Robinson seemed so determined to promote an image of dignity and calmness that his body language almost came across as flat and unmotivated. There was one image that sticks in my mind of him standing on the touchline supping a take-away coffee. In a game of such importance, that struck me as odd
9/10 I wont forget what a great season weve had this year, despite last night. It will live with me for a long time.Thank you Karl for everything and please stay to try again next season.

This sums it up , this was for me a once in a life time thing , in one game you give your all . We should have been pumped up , and tbh , we just was not in the right mind space from the off. A very sad day today!

 

[Oxford84]

Just forced myself to watch the highlights again. For the penalty you can clearly see Eastwood shake his head and say ‘no I didn’t’ to Moore. It seems to me that Moore heard a shout from simeone. Another example of Wycombe’s gamesmanship maybe? I think Onyedinma fooled them both. Has to be said its schoolboy stuff though, in such an important match at a crucial time. As my old school football coach used to say, If in doubt, boot it out!

Edit. Thinking about it, its yet another example of Wycombe benefiting from the coronavirus situation. If the stadium had been full of fans Moore probably wouldnt have heard a shout and wouldve hacked it clear as second nature.

I thought he said just head it.

 

[Wallop]

When does the match DVD get released for us to buy?

 

[Chairboy in Exile]

Thanks Ryan. That’s really helped ;/(

Spot bloody on though.

We will never get a chance like that again against such a poor opponent. We beat ourselves, Wycombe got lucky and I’d they are honest, they’ll admit that.

Rather be a lucky team than a good one?

As a WWFC fan, happy to admit we got lucky not just in last night's match but also by reaching the playoffs to begin with as we were in freefall pre-lockdown. I'd be spitting feathers if was an OUFC fan. Obviously I'm ecstatic to make The Championship but think you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down. As regards our style of football, I think it's a necessary evil - we can't afford the best players so have to find a more pragmatic way to stay competitive. Good luck next season - let's hope we can all go to watch our teams in person regardless of which league we're playing in.

 

[Sheik djibouti]

Ahhhhh.....bollox!

I purposefully haven't posted until now, partly because there was absolutely no point in the febrile atmosphere on here last night after the game. I sincerely hope some are reading back and cringing at what they posted last night. And I hope we've all had our Snickers today, just so nobody is in danger of continuing to act like graceless, sore-loser Divas

Anyway, for what it is worth.

Wycombe - very effective Plan A - don't give us room or time to pass around/through them. Managed the game very well and nullified most of our threats going forward - not sure I can remember a performance from us with so many long cross field balls - first half especially! It was crying out for a different approach from us and it did come at half time, but more about that in a minute.

I would suggest (as have others) that this "simple" style of football is rather easier to reboot than the brand we try to play. I would also suggest that, on balance, the mix of youth and experience in the Wycombe squad is just about spot on - they clearly had some real leaders in there (and yes I also got sick of Sky banging on about their generals!) but the truth is they have some real experience and level heads which worked well for them on this occasion. We have bags of talent, no doubt, but we are a fairly young team crying out for some more mature players to take control, take it by the scruff of the neck, assert authority and calm everyone else down at the same time. When things don't go your way, you need resillience and the courage/preparedness to try something else.

There are numerous key moments that could've changed the outcome...the selection, tactics substitutions, fouls given, fouls missed - all are part and parcel and we can debate till the cows come home (and no doubt will), but these stood out for me:
- First goal: wicked corner from Jacobsen (oh for someone with that delivery!), Stewart stole a march on Ruffs, but was clearly heading back across when Eastwood (who arguably got caught flat footed as the ball sailed over his head) deflected it in - split second moments where millimetres either way could've produced a very different outcome.
- Long going for goal and blazing it across with both Taylor and Browne free at far post
- Replacing Gorrin with Kelly at half time: Instant change to the playing style - interesting to see Kelly coming so deep for the ball at times behind or between Dickie and Moore. Also noticeable that he was looking to get us quickly on the front foot at every opportunity with some real quality through balls and balls to feet. Very different to Gorrin who likes to put his foot on the ball and assess the options a bit more (and will go back as much as forwards). The quick, decisive passing that has been so effective this year had returned and Wycombe started to really struggle.
- Sykes goal - came from a great pass from Kelly (right back in defence) to Henry and then a perfectly weighted through ball from Henry to Sykes. Sykes clearly meant to cross but was off balance and ended up surprising the keeper...and every other player on the pitch no doubt!
- Henry opting to cross, rather than shoot - what more can be said....I would back him every time to score in that situation. Not forgetting another crucial intervention from Stewart to deny Taylor.
- Dickies double chance (from two successive corners), the second of which Allsop saved on the line and it ricocheted off a Wycombe defenders shin and could just as easily gone in!
- 2nd half drinks break. For me this was the single biggest thing that tipped the balance in the 2nd half. We had Wycombe on the ropes and this was effectively a standing 8 count for them. They came out refreshed and we lost our way somewhat - I think they closed Kelly down a bit more from there. We never recovered any real momentum after that.
- Browne and that throw in appeal....if he have kept running and challenged the keeper, maybe Moore wouldn't have had a "decision" to make with the resulting route 1 ball?
- Moore/Eastwood mix-up - if Onyadinma did make the call then Moore has really been done!....was there also an offside in the build up??
- Eastwood giving away the penalty - clear pen all day long. He's lucky to have stayed on the pitch...maybe he could've stood him up? Sam Long was already back pretty much on the line so it wasn't any way certain he would score. In fact if it had been then Eastwood would have been off, surely?
- Taylor header from Forde's pinpoint cross: he had more time and a foot either side of the keeper and it's a goal.
- Agyei through ball to Taylor...tired shot from Matty . . . possibly the longest he's played football all season after months sat on his sofa thinking about @RyanioBirdio

As for the ref/officials - no bias either way for me.

On balance - Wycombe stuck to their plan and it was simple but effective........but for the drinks break in the 2nd half.
As the saying used to go...if my Aunty had balls she'd be my uncle (maybe not so much these days, but you get the gist).

Am I disappointed - yes....gutted! Shoulda, coulda, woulda!
But I balance that with what I thought we might achieve this year....how things would go after Baptiste and Fosu left, how the season might end up after lockdown, how the season might've ended up if we hadn't had lockdown, what might've happened if Ruffs hadn't got that goal at the Shrews....what might happen to many clubs because of lockdown et etc etc.

As for Wycombe - extremely lucky to be gifted a place in the playoffs - stuck to their (one and only) plan and executed it well. A true football fairy tale, which the pundits are creaming over and which might end up looking like it was written by the brothers Grimm....good luck to them nonetheless.

Finally....I can't seem to stop hearing Cry by Godley and Creme:

Altogether everyone " You don't know how to ease my pain, you don't know!"

 

[captainox]

There was a video on twitter of the game without the commentary and as that ball is dropping to Moore, you can hear shouting. It's hard to tell whether it's "head it, head it", "Elliott, Elliott", or "leave it, leave it". Pretty confident it isn't Eastwood, which is backed up by his reaction where he seems to be saying "no i didn't" to someone who was questioning him. Personally, I thought Eastwood should have tried to milk the collision a bit more and get some treatment to delay the penalty a bit longer.

 

[Gary Baldi]

Sykes is going to be massive for us. He always seems to perform in important matches (Playoffs, Newcastle, West Ham, Man City etc) we may do well to keep hold of him. Baptiste & Fosu seemed to have this trait too and I’m certain they would have been the difference for us.

There was a moment towards the end of the game and he was last man and dealt with it very calmly. A trait that the team lacked at times this season!

 

[RyanioBirdio]

i think there's a lot in this, though someone who Gorrin has just kicked might disagree that we have 'no real sign of nastiness'. This season we have added a bit of toughness but the toughest players (Mackie and Mousinho) weren't playing, and maybe we could have done with one of them. It felt a bit that Karl was showing off, wanting to demonstrate that he could beat thuggish Wycombe without resorting to gamesmanship or varying his passing game, or even getting as animated as usual.

There’s a difference between someone who will kick somebody and someone who will take charge of a team and start pulling people around by the scruff of the neck. Gorrin will kick you, but he won’t manage the people around him, and just kicking people hard without thought behind it can get you into trouble. Our ‘class of 2016’ had brains behind their braun - they kicked you knowing how to get away with it, or at least knowing that they could make you react and lose your head. Street smarts, really. I don’t think we have that, and you need it to get over the final hurdle.

In the most straight up way possible, I do think you’re probably right in that Robinson has perhaps tried to be too much of a purist at times, and can be too worried about people saying nice things about him and the team rather than just winning and not caring if someone gets upset. I also think he needs to be willing to inject those couple of players into the team who are going to shoulder some of the burden of managing games, and who are going to lead and not just put their heads down like good boys. I’m sure one or two people will get upset about that, but it’s my honest observation. I’m not digging the bloke out, I’m simply saying I think he needs to let go a bit and be willing to let just the tiniest bit of doggedness creep into our game.

If that can be added next season then we really shouldn’t be far away.

 

[werthersoriginal]

As a WWFC fan, happy to admit we got lucky not just in last night's match but also by reaching the playoffs to begin with as we were in freefall pre-lockdown. I'd be spitting feathers if was an OUFC fan. Obviously I'm ecstatic to make The Championship but think you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down. As regards our style of football, I think it's a necessary evil - we can't afford the best players so have to find a more pragmatic way to stay competitive. Good luck next season - let's hope we can all go to watch our teams in person regardless of which league we're playing in.

Thanks for a pleasant post, unlike some of your mates. One question about your budget - your full back Grimmer who kept our supposed star player Browne quiet was signed from Coventry, reportedly after competition from us. He must be on a fair whack. Are your American owners really so poor?

 

[Gary Baldi]

I didn't want to bring Mackie up but seeing as someone else did, but the last 3 games highlighted the deficiency in the squad when the ball gets stuck in the midfield. We had one isolated outlet up top, whoever was the poor sod that got asked to do it, and got sucked into pointless sideways passing and pointless hoofs. Taylor suffered from no service as Mackie/Agyei would do.

The fact Wycombe and Portsmouth played the same way exposed our squad in it's current format.

 

[m]

.... you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down.

I personally won't. Would have no problem at all with seeing you survive. Good luck.

 

[UTM]

Ahhhhh.....bollox!

I purposefully haven't posted until now, partly because there was absolutely no point in the febrile atmosphere on here last night after the game. I sincerely hope some are reading back and cringing at what they posted last night. And I hope we've all had our Snickers today, just so nobody is in danger of continuing to act like graceless, sore-loser Divas

Anyway, for what it is worth.

Wycombe - very effective Plan A - don't give us room or time to pass around/through them. Managed the game very well and nullified most of our threats going forward - not sure I can remember a performance from us with so many long cross field balls - first half especially! It was crying out for a different approach from us and it did come at half time, but more about that in a minute.

I would suggest (as have others) that this "simple" style of football is rather easier to reboot than the brand we try to play. I would also suggest that, on balance, the mix of youth and experience in the Wycombe squad is just about spot on - they clearly had some real leaders in there (and yes I also got sick of Sky banging on about their generals!) but the truth is they have some real experience and level heads which worked well for them on this occasion. We have bags of talent, no doubt, but we are a fairly young team crying out for some more mature players to take control, take it by the scruff of the neck, assert authority and calm everyone else down at the same time. When things don't go your way, you need resillience and the courage/preparedness to try something else.

There are numerous key moments that could've changed the outcome...the selection, tactics substitutions, fouls given, fouls missed - all are part and parcel and we can debate till the cows come home (and no doubt will), but these stood out for me:
- First goal: wicked corner from Jacobsen (oh for someone with that delivery!), Stewart stole a march on Ruffs, but was clearly heading back across when Eastwood (who arguably got caught flat footed as the ball sailed over his head) deflected it in - split second moments where millimetres either way could've produced a very different outcome.
- Long going for goal and blazing it across with both Taylor and Browne free at far post
- Replacing Gorrin with Kelly at half time: Instant change to the playing style - interesting to see Kelly coming so deep for the ball at times behind or between Dickie and Moore. Also noticeable that he was looking to get us quickly on the front foot at every opportunity with some real quality through balls and balls to feet. Very different to Gorrin who likes to put his foot on the ball and assess the options a bit more (and will go back as much as forwards). The quick, decisive passing that has been so effective this year had returned and Wycombe started to really struggle.
- Sykes goal - came from a great pass from Kelly (right back in defence) to Henry and then a perfectly weighted through ball from Henry to Sykes. Sykes clearly meant to cross but was off balance and ended up surprising the keeper...and every other player on the pitch no doubt!
- Henry opting to cross, rather than shoot - what more can be said....I would back him every time to score in that situation. Not forgetting another crucial intervention from Stewart to deny Taylor.
- Dickies double chance (from two successive corners), the second of which Allsop saved on the line and it ricocheted off a Wycombe defenders shin and could just as easily gone in!
- 2nd half drinks break. For me this was the single biggest thing that tipped the balance in the 2nd half. We had Wycombe on the ropes and this was effectively a standing 8 count for them. They came out refreshed and we lost our way somewhat - I think they closed Kelly down a bit more from there. We never recovered any real momentum from there.
- Browne and that throw in appeal....if he have kept running and challenged the keeper, maybe Moore wouldn't have had a "decision" to make with the resulting route 1 ball?
- Moore/Eastwood mix-up - if Onyadinma did make the call then Moore has really been done!....was there also an offside in the build up??
- Eastwood giving away the penalty - clear pen all day long. He's lucky to have stayed on the pitch...maybe he could've stood him up? Sam Long was already back pretty much on the line so it wasn't any way certain he would score.
- Taylor header from Forde's pinpoint cross: he had more time and a foot either side of the keeper and it's a goal.
- Agyei through ball to Taylor...tired shot from Matty . . . possibly the longest he's played football all season after months sat on his sofa thinking about @RyanioBirdio

As for the ref/officials - no bias either way for me.

On balance - Wycombe stuck to their plan and it was simple but effective........but for the drinks break in the 2nd half.
As the saying used to go...if my Aunty had balls she'd be my uncle (maybe not so much there days, but you get the gist.

Am I disappointed - yes....gutted! Shoulda, coulda, woulda!
But I balance that with what I thought we might achieve this year....how things would go after Baptiste and Fosu left, how the season might end up after lockdown, how the season might've ended up if we hadn't had lockdown, what might've happened if Ruffs hadn't got that goal at the Shrews....what might happen to many clubs because of lockdown et etc etc.

As for Wycombe - extremely lucky to be gifted a place in the playoffs - stuck to their (one and only) plan and executed it well. A true football fairy tale, which the pundits are creaming over and which might end up looking like it was written by the brothers Grimm....good luck to them nonetheless.

Finally....I can't seem to stop hearing Cry by Godley and Creme:

Altogether everyone " You don't know how to ease my pain, you don't know!"

Yes , l think everyone was hurt last night. And it feels worse today , feeling of you have just split up with The best Mrs you ever had and thinking you will never get the chance to get her back, is how l would explain it... I know soft head me ...

 

[yellowbow]

There’s a difference between someone who will kick somebody and someone who will take charge of a team and start pulling people around by the scruff of the neck. Gorrin will kick you, but he won’t manage the people around him, and just kicking people hard without thought behind it can get you into trouble. Our ‘class of 2016’ had brains behind their braun - they kicked you knowing how to get away with it, or at least knowing that they could make you react and lose your head. Street smarts, really. I don’t think we have that, and you need it to get over the final hurdle.

In the most straight up way possible, I do think you’re probably right in that Robinson has perhaps tried to be too much of a purist at times, and can be too worried about people saying nice things about him and the team rather than just winning and not caring if someone gets upset. I also think he needs to be willing to inject those couple of players into the team who are going to shoulder some of the burden of managing games, and who are going to lead and not just put their heads down like good boys. I’m sure one or two people will get upset about that, but it’s my honest observation. I’m not digging the bloke out, I’m simply saying I think he needs to let go a bit and be willing to let just the tiniest bit of doggedness creep into our game.

If that can be added next season then we really shouldn’t be far away.

Two words: Game Management. Ainsworth and his pub team gave a masterclass in it last night. It’s definitely something we need to learn fast. I’d argue we were far better at it under Appleton than we are under Robinson.

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

As a WWFC fan, happy to admit we got lucky not just in last night's match but also by reaching the playoffs to begin with as we were in freefall pre-lockdown. I'd be spitting feathers if was an OUFC fan. Obviously I'm ecstatic to make The Championship but think you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down. As regards our style of football, I think it's a necessary evil - we can't afford the best players so have to find a more pragmatic way to stay competitive. Good luck next season - let's hope we can all go to watch our teams in person regardless of which league we're playing in.

I don't take any comfort from the fact that you will probably come strait back down to be honest because I don't really care. Good luck and all the best. I suppose there is money to be earned in it but it can be a poisoned chalice apparently according to the guy that owns Burton Albion who said it almost broke them.

The only thing that I would say is that as a team if you concede 75% possession to the other team like Wycombe do they will get killed by some of these Championship sides. It will be interesting to see how they get on. I think it would have been a long hard season for us as well.

 

[MC Yellow]

As a WWFC fan, happy to admit we got lucky not just in last night's match but also by reaching the playoffs to begin with as we were in freefall pre-lockdown. I'd be spitting feathers if was an OUFC fan. Obviously I'm ecstatic to make The Championship but think you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down. As regards our style of football, I think it's a necessary evil - we can't afford the best players so have to find a more pragmatic way to stay competitive. Good luck next season - let's hope we can all go to watch our teams in person regardless of which league we're playing in.

Well, congratulations to you.

We are all a bit deflated over here as you can imagine.

A couple of crucial saves from your keeper when called upon and I thought Stewart played a blinder.

Best of luck next season.... enjoy it ?

 

[yellowbow]

As a WWFC fan, happy to admit we got lucky not just in last night's match but also by reaching the playoffs to begin with as we were in freefall pre-lockdown. I'd be spitting feathers if was an OUFC fan. Obviously I'm ecstatic to make The Championship but think you can probably take comfort in the fact we'll come straight back down. As regards our style of football, I think it's a necessary evil - we can't afford the best players so have to find a more pragmatic way to stay competitive. Good luck next season - let's hope we can all go to watch our teams in person regardless of which league we're playing in.

Can’t remember if it was you on here back in March who took a bit of flack? Well I guess youve had the last laugh. It hurts like hell at the moment but no real complaints from me. Ainsworth has performed a near miracle and your lot did what they had to do. All the best next season.