Home Match Day Thread 13/12/2025 - MDT: Oxford United vs Preston North End

[Carpy]

 

[werthersoriginal]

From his interview today it sounded like he has tried to go away from his blue print and try and play a different way but it isn’t working. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him revert back to a solid back line that plays for the next few games, quick wingers, Lankshear up front and he sticks with it.
When I say a solid back line I mean something like a back 4 like: Long, Helik, Davies, Brown. No nonsense and will put their body on the line.

He needs to find a pattern and a basic lineup and stick to it. I’m sure he’s said he likes to keep a settled team where possible. I dont see how the players can develop any understanding when every game sees a different setup.

 

[dickwalton1964]

I agree Spencer starts over Long at RB all day every day but with him being injured, Long is our best RB right now.

I think this is the problem we have right now - consistency. Ter Avest looked really good for a half at Norwich, albeit in an advanced position, but has looked distinctly average since then. I can’t recall the games but Long has gone from sublime to ridiculous in a matter of weeks. People now suggesting Brown gets left out - unthinkable a month ago. It’s a toss up at left back - Currie solid defensively but offering nothing further forward, Leigh more all action but also more of a liability. Very very few players are making Rowett’s job easy by picking themselves week in week out - hence all the personnel and formation changes.

 

[Common Villager]

I have just skimmed through the last 10 pages or so so apologies for any duplication.

I thought we were marginally the better team for the first 25 minutes or so before their goal, without really managing to create any good opportunities. We were taking too long to move the ball and get it into the front three; too much dallying around the back again.

The first goal was hugely frustrating. We gave their man so much time to pick out his cross and then defended the box so poorly. the second goal we were still in the changing rooms.

At 0-2, we woke up and started to play with more purpose and intent. The front three were pressing and we got it into them quickly. I continue to be baffled by Prelec's recent omission; he is a real handful and would be even better when he's fully fit. He and Lankshear were causing their defence all sorts of trouble and at 1-2 it felt like only a matter of time before we got an equaliser.

As others have noted, the Harris and Bradshaw sub absolutely killed the game. Rowett bemoaned his starting lineup and tactics on WATG, but that sub was the real f**k up. As soon as those two came on (I actually thought Bradshaw was better than Harris, but was fighting a losing battle) our threat was immediately nullified and Preston's defence was able to push up again. I can sort of understand Prelec needing to be replaced, but Lankshear? Surely he can play 90 minutes at this point.

On the whole it was a frustrating match. We were good in spells but spells aren't good enough if you can't capitalise on them. I'm frustrated it took us going 0-2 down to start playing with a higher tempo and utilising the physicality of our front two, and I'm frustrated by the subs that killed the game. I have to say I do think both of those issues sit with Rowett (more so than the starting lineup).

Today is the first time I started to think we might need some fresh ideas just to give the whole place a lift. My fear is that it could spectacularly backfire and I still genuinely think Rowett would keep us up with two or three decent additions, but the longer we keep up this form the harder it is going to be. I don't know what the answer is now.

I don't think it impacted the result at all (penalty shouts aside, I didn't see any of them well enough to say he bottled any decisions) but my god that ref was awful. He blew for everything against both sides for the first hour or so before randomly deciding that he wasn't going to give anything. There was a clear foul on Bradshaw and another on Goodrham that he didn't give, when in the first half he was awarding free kicks when a player from either team looked at one of the opposition. Wildly inconsistent which is my biggest bugbear with referees.

Next week against Charlton is now monumentally huge.

 

[dickwalton1964]

He’s to knackered from all those long throws.

In one passage today he went from left to right, right over to left and then back over to right and his throws were getting progressively weaker each time ! Is it too logical to suggest that from time to time a short throw and the ball kicked into a crowded box should be drawing roughly the same outcome ?

 

[Steve Gilbert]

In one passage today he went from left to right, right over to left and then back over to right and his throws were getting progressively weaker each time ! Is it too logical to suggest that from time to time a short throw and the ball kicked into a crowded box should be drawing roughly the same outcome ?

The issue is the opposition are now clued on to it and also marking the short option so they are forcing the long throw. I would also argue that the time it takes to set up the long throw could be better spent by taking a quick throw and then playing from that.

 

[dickwalton1964]

The issue is the opposition are now clued on to it and also marking the short option so they are forcing the long throw. I would also argue that the time it takes to set up the long throw could be better spent by taking a quick throw and then playing from that.

Re the the throws I think Helik has got to come to the fore more. He’s got to get right on top of the keeper and read the throws better. I felt today we became far too predictable with them and towards the end might as well not have bothered.

 

[holdsteady]

In one passage today he went from left to right, right over to left and then back over to right and his throws were getting progressively weaker each time ! Is it too logical to suggest that from time to time a short throw and the ball kicked into a crowded box should be drawing roughly the same outcome ?

I noticed that. Everyone has a certain level of exertion before you hit the wall, running times get slower the longer the distance, it’s only natural that if he has to do loads of these throws the distance/quality will drop of.

 

[Wallop]

Can I come?

I'll bring whisky and wine?

Yes

 

[werthersoriginal]

Re the the throws I think Helik has got to come to the fore more. He’s got to get right on top of the keeper and read the throws better. I felt today we became far too predictable with them and towards the end might as well not have bothered.

Main thing with the long throws is to keep them away from the keeper! And yes vary them and have an idea of what you’re trying to do.

 

[Jakeyboy13]

Yes, nobody said there wasn't any fans who wanted Des sacked...

and ?

 

[uptheus]

Rowett only put Mills on for Ter Avest because Ter Avest done his hamstring.

That’s what you get when you try to force players back too quickly. Players who have been out for weeks/months need to be gradually phased back into the starting line up and not just thrown back in week on week.

 

[HillBilly]

I understand anger at the two changes up front.

Can't agree that our players 'aren't good enough'.

For me the reason today was crushing is we were much better than them. In both halves.

We dominated every metric (shots, tackles, interceptions, possession, dribbles, duels won on the ground and in the air, passes of every type - in our half, in their half, long, into the final third, crosses, whatever) with the exception of clearances, blocks, saves and goals.

It's an absolutely gutting result when you look at how we played (up to the final 15 minutes). Are our players really looking out of their depth?

On his own Ciaron Brown had as many shots on target as their whole team. Vaulks did too. Lankshear had twice as many touches inside the opposition box than any one of their players. As did Brown and Helik. The quality of scoring chances (xG) for our three centre-backs (0.85) put Preston's in the shade (0.61). Overall ours was 1.57. We had 5 players who got off 3 or more shots. Their keeper was worked really hard.

We create chances. We've got quality. We've just got to stop being so sodding leaky.

 

[uptheus]

I would have kept a tiring Prelec & Romeny, they are better options than Bradshaw.

I would have put Krastev (Leigh)on the left and possibly Goodrham for Romeny.

 

[uptheus]

I’d rather play with 10 men than bring Bradshaw on, I’d rather play Helik up there.

I thought Bradshaw did more than M Harris! but having said that, neither of them were going to be the answer.

 

[TheDukeOfBanburyshire]

We’ve been relegated lads, but don’t worry I’ve won a tenner.

Yeah. That doesn't work for me. I've always had a rule that prevents me from betting in games involving Oxford, full stop.

Call it pseudo-superstition if you will.

 

[Nadi-]

I’m absolutely bemused as to how PNE are 3rd in the league as they looked a very poor team.

Like someone said to me before the game, PNE execute what we try to do e.g. set pieces, finish limited chance as and try to catch teams on the break, especially away from home!!

Preston are exactly what we were 2nd half of last season, if that lesson isn’t learnt.
We are down

 

[Nadi-]

One phase of the game yesterday said everything.
From a corner we had 3 attempts in the box at goal, front post, centrally and back post. All from 1 player.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

As usual when things don’t go well ,we start bickering with each other on the matchday thread.
We all have our own opinions on players,formations,managers but the one thing that remains constant is our love for The Yellows
We have been through some dark times with this club, this is nowhere near that level.
So let’s move on, the Board will have a decision to make if we don’t win before the new year but I will be there regardless.

 

[Berliner]

Who would you have brought on for the tiring Prelec an Romeny?

I'd have brought on Dembele to stretch the play and get us further up the pitch...

Oh wait!

 

[Symp59]

Let's all be honest Des was taking us down last year ,this year is frustrating because we aren't defending as well as last season when Rowett turned up .Then the summers transfer editions were poor to say the least ,midfield wasn't strengthen enough ,wingers weren't brought in. We need to win at Charlton just a massive game and a win against Southampton or Swansea if that doesn't happen then we will be in real trouble with Ipswich and Sheffield United away just can't see anything happening there. Then a decision will have to be made 1 point from those games and we will leave our selves too much to do. But I think Riwett has 5 games to get some sort of form going or I think its time for change

 

[Teacher]

My name isn’t Luke .

I haven’t bothered to go and watch us away because the product on the pitch is pathetic. You may be happy to waste your money watching the same s**t over and over again but I’m not.

So there we have it.

You did leave in the 48th minute against Stoke at home though when it went 3-0. That’s pretty poor.

 

[Toe knee]

Just a guess, but I would say the vocal Rowett out contingent were also the vocal Des out contingent.

As for the rest of us (again I could be wrong), but I would say we wanted Des to be given more time.

No chance....

 

[JoeUFC]

Meh, frustrating is the word. We were by far the better team and deserved to win. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. We hit the bar. 8 shots on target plus however many blocked.

More optimism than despair in that performance.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Meh, frustrating is the word. We were by far the better team and deserved to win. Their keeper made a couple of great saves. We hit the bar. 8 shots on target plus however many blocked.

More optimism than despair in that performance.

Unfortunately Rowett has made a rod for his own back on this.

If you fail to try and win away games, and put all of your eggs in the basket of winning at home (and in some cases tentatively), and those home wins don't come off with enough regularity - you're in all sorts of bother.

Getting done at home by a one-dimensional, tough (but organised) Preston is galling - but if you've actually claimed 3 points at Blackburn and/or Swansea and/or Norwich it's not a disaster.

Don't forget we were one up at Blackburn at half time in a similar vein to Preston yesterday. But where Preston were incisive enough to get a 2nd (which ultimately won them the game) we, as a Rowett inspired side, were already content with the prospect of a 1-1 draw.

That's the difference between a limited side who are inexplicably in the play-offs and one that isn't winning enough football matches.

9 more wins needed. From just 25 games.

Tick f*cking tock.

 

[Oxford84]

Books him for time wasted for not leaving the pitch quick enough then the player continues to walk. Just send him for a 2nd yellow!!

And add 5 extra minutes every time players do this.

 

[Oxford84]

Think it’s time to give the relentless long throws a break. They’re really not resulting in anything and haven’t for a while.

Havent we just got to do them properly rather than straight to their keeper or by our players standing too far away,

 

[Oxford84]

that was a s**t away following (despite early KO) from a (poor) side now in 3rd place*

edit* PNE 3rd lasted all of 10-15 mins, now 3pm kos have started they're back to 5th

f**k knows how Preston arent in the bottom 8 of this division, they are absolute crap.

More possession, more shots on goal, more shots on target, more Xg, more touches in the box than them.

 

[holdsteady]

You can knock Preston but they have a decent goalie, the defenders throw themselves in the way of everything, they break with a bit of pace and take their chances. They are not one of the divisions big boys but they stay in the league and have built a team that is competitive at the top end, something to learn from that.

Can’t see them going up but they will enough for it be fun to support them and be well clear of any potential relegation battle even if they tail off, pretty envious of that.

 

[Mad Dog]

Would not want you beside me in the trenches. Think I’d pull the trigger before I went in if I knew I’d drawn the short straw and got you. Bloody hell, over half a season left and as good a chance as anyone else of escaping. I’d hate to be a fan with such a negative mindset.

We can't all be as brave and positive as you, Dick!

If you've been watching us all season, and knowing how many wins we need to get to survive, and think this team, under this manager has what it takes to survive, then you're the exact kind of deluded war ravaged soldier that I wouldn't want next to me in the trenches either thank you, as your delusion would likely get your whole platoon killed!

You're probably the big, brave, positive type, that would run over the top shouting "it's fine, we'll be fine, come on, man up, there's nothing to worry about, we'll be absolutely...." as you're head then explodes, and I get covered in brain splatter.

I don't fancy having Dick brains all over me thank you very much.

 

[Followtheox1]

and ?

....and twist of fate on a bed of nails she makes me wait?