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

[Carpy]

 

[Stanford yellow]

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

Rowett going out on a blaze of glory....

 

[BicesterU]

That's strange we were told by some happy clapper Rowett lovers that could never happen .......

I'm on here a lot, and I've never seen even the blindest optimist say it could never happen.

 

[Oxford84]

I think there were a lot of positives to take from that. We started really well and were more threatening throughout than we have been for a while. Preston would have counted themselves lucky to get a point imo, let alone all three. Their keeper made some brilliant saves, fair play.

But that substitution just completely killed the game. Utterly baffling. We were getting so much joy with Prelec and Lankshear’s physicality and were building a real head of steam. Why on earth would you swap them out for two famously diminutive players? There was a tangible feeling with the sub of all the pressure and atmosphere dissipating like air out of a balloon. So disappointing.

Rowett’s post match very interesting and not in a good way. I respect him holding his hands up for saying he got it wrong with the formation (which I don’t think he necessarily did - just had the wrong personnel at wingback) but to publicly admit he’s effectively run out of ideas is alarming. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that before from a manager who wasn’t dismissed shortly after. It’s also worrying in terms of recruitment for January. If he hasn’t got a clear idea of how we can best set up, and therefore what profile of player we should be looking for in the window, what is the recruitment strategy going to be? How do you recruit to build a side if you don’t know what the side should look like?

Disappointed with the amount of booing in the stands, particularly with how early it started. I know it’s a frustrating period but booing after 30 mins because we hadn’t cleared our lines effectively a couple of times seemed mad.

We desperately, desperately need something at the valley. Hopefully we can build on the positive elements of today and start rebuilding some momentum, because the atmosphere is getting increasingly funereal on and off the pitch.

I liked that formation and the way it played with the stats proving that it was working out well.I think Rowett has to stick with that formation and style with maybe a few changes in certain positions for at least 5 or 6 games to see if we can make it work long term. Instead he will probably change it all next game!

 

[dabigfella]

Certain relegation. Unless there's a massive payout in January.
Not likely to happen.

 

[Mad Dog]

Rowett is an experienced, seasoned manager with plenty of miles in him

Sounds like a knackered old car to me, that needs scrapping

 

[BicesterU]

We can change manager, change your lucky pants over whatever we want.

You know what, the issue is simple really..

We don't have players across this squad who are good enough at this level.

Not particularly anyone's fault, the gap at this level is big and we can't bridge it!

Up the U's!

I worked out last night that yesterday's loss was my fault because I didn't wash my lucky pants after the Blackburn game.

(I only wore them for the duration of the match)

 

[RgYellows]

On the subject of attendances, the ever-present season ticket holders next to us did not bother to turn up yesterday and I can confirm that a group of young lads in the East stand definitely did make their exit shortly after the second went in. A few of them were still hanging around outside when BDK smashed his goal in.

 

[Mad Dog]

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.

Exactly. They could replace Rowett with bloody Timmy Mallett, and I'd still turn up and support them every week.

OK, I'd moan like stink the whole time, but I'd still turn up!

 

[uptheus]

I liked that formation and the way it played with the stats proving that it was working out well.I think Rowett has to stick with that formation and style with maybe a few changes in certain positions for at least 5 or 6 games to see if we can make it work long term. Instead he will probably change it all next game!

Mills isn’t a wingback and nor is Leigh, so not sure it’s the best system with the players we’ve got.

In my mind we’ve got to get back to basics e.g. 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2, not that I care too much about systems etc, but the players need to know their positions/roles etc. Got to stay with the same team/structure for 5 games at least and build some partnerships etc

 

[werthersoriginal]

I liked that formation and the way it played with the stats proving that it was working out well.I think Rowett has to stick with that formation and style with maybe a few changes in certain positions for at least 5 or 6 games to see if we can make it work long term. Instead he will probably change it all next game!

A formation with two centre forwards and no one to cross to them? I don’t think we’ll see it again

 

[Swaby39]

Re long throws.

We absolutely do not want to stop using such a useful weapon. Set play goals are a pandemic this year at all levels. We just need to pay some attention to them rather than launch and see. Every week you will see soft goals from them and we have a couple of long throw specialists.

It’s mindless to stop them as a side that doesn’t score enough, but significantly worse to execute them the way we are. Players 10 yards too far back (absolutely enraging), static or tightly marked, no blockers, not enough tenacity to win the first header and on it goes.

Rowett has enough to worry about but what about Hackett, Short, Sale. Surely one of them has 5 minutes to watch any one of our games this year and see we always land the ball short of the target and it isn’t because the throw isn’t far enough. Every single one is identical and predictable.

With 2 centre halves (3 if we wanted to), Leigh, Prelec and Lankshear it should be utter chaos in there. Do it, just do it a s**t load better.

 

[Ox4Eva]

I worked out last night that yesterday's loss was my fault because I didn't wash my lucky pants after the Blackburn game.

(I only wore them for the duration of the match)

Did you not just turn them inside out

 

[holdsteady]

Re long throws.

We absolutely do not want to stop using such a useful weapon. Set play goals are a pandemic this year at all levels. We just need to pay some attention to them rather than launch and see. Every week you will see soft goals from them and we have a couple of long throw specialists.

It’s mindless to stop them as a side that doesn’t score enough, but significantly worse to execute them the way we are. Players 10 yards too far back (absolutely enraging), static or tightly marked, no blockers, not enough tenacity to win the first header and on it goes.

Rowett has enough to worry about but what about Hackett, Short, Sale. Surely one of them has 5 minutes to watch any one of our games this year and see we always land the ball short of the target and it isn’t because the throw isn’t far enough. Every single one is identical and predictable.

With 2 centre halves (3 if we wanted to), Leigh, Prelec and Lankshear it should be utter chaos in there. Do it, just do it a s**t load better.

It’s the amount we are using them, it doesn’t need to be every time and we need to be alive to the option of a quick throw and just crossing the ball. They are a useful weapon but, as someone else said, Vaulks was knackered from running across the pitch to take consecutive ones, just need to use them more sensibly.

 

[Swaby39]

It’s the amount we are using them, it doesn’t need to be every time and we need to be alive to the option of a quick throw and just crossing the ball. They are a useful weapon but, as someone else said, Vaulks was knackered from running across the pitch to take consecutive ones, just need to use them more sensibly.

Yes, granted, yesterday was quite OTT. But we might not need as many if more of them resulted in efforts at goal. As it was, Preston just hacked them out with ease and seemed happy to keep conceding them.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Yes, granted, yesterday was quite OTT. But we might not need as many if more of them resulted in efforts at goal. As it was, Preston just hacked them out with ease and seemed happy to keep conceding them.

I don’t understand why he doesn’t aim for the head of a particular big guy to head it on, he seems to just hurl them ‘into the zone’.

 

[Berliner]

It’s the amount we are using them, it doesn’t need to be every time and we need to be alive to the option of a quick throw and just crossing the ball. They are a useful weapon but, as someone else said, Vaulks was knackered from running across the pitch to take consecutive ones, just need to use them more sensibly.

Especially when Currie can throw the ball about as far (if he's on the pitch)...

 

[ZeroTheHero]

Re long throws.

We absolutely do not want to stop using such a useful weapon. Set play goals are a pandemic this year at all levels. We just need to pay some attention to them rather than launch and see. Every week you will see soft goals from them and we have a couple of long throw specialists.

It’s mindless to stop them as a side that doesn’t score enough, but significantly worse to execute them the way we are. Players 10 yards too far back (absolutely enraging), static or tightly marked, no blockers, not enough tenacity to win the first header and on it goes.

Rowett has enough to worry about but what about Hackett, Short, Sale. Surely one of them has 5 minutes to watch any one of our games this year and see we always land the ball short of the target and it isn’t because the throw isn’t far enough. Every single one is identical and predictable.

With 2 centre halves (3 if we wanted to), Leigh, Prelec and Lankshear it should be utter chaos in there. Do it, just do it a s**t load better.

Agree with all of that. If Leigh is on the pitch, I would be tempted to put him at the near post that at at the far one. And if he could be within range of the throw, that might help as well!

 

[windmill]

On the subject of attendances, the ever-present season ticket holders next to us did not bother to turn up yesterday and I can confirm that a group of young lads in the East stand definitely did make their exit shortly after the second went in. A few of them were still hanging around outside when BDK smashed his goal in.

So, they did not turn up. What sort of statement are you trying to get across? If they were attending in the Bill Asprey era then I can sympathise. If they can ignore Championship football then I pity them. We have never had it so good.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

So, they did not turn up. What sort of statement are you trying to get across? If they were attending in the Bill Asprey era then I can sympathise. If they can ignore Championship football then I pity them. We have never had it so good.

This is what baffles me. We have spent years trying to get back to this level and then the first sign of things getting difficult people don't fancy it. If you want to follow a team that is always entertaining and winning then go and support Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal. Supporting a lower league side requires toughing out the rough spells** as well as enjoying the good times.

**Our current rough spell isn't even that rough either!!

 

[BrockBuster]

This is what baffles me. We have spent years trying to get back to this level and then the first sign of things getting difficult people don't fancy it. If you want to follow a team that is always entertaining and winning then go and support Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal. Supporting a lower league side requires toughing out the rough spells** as well as enjoying the good times.

**Our current rough spell isn't even that rough either!!

It's less about it being rough comparably, it's more about wasting such a brilliant opportunity to establish ourselves at this level.

It's like putting in the hard work to climb a mountain then falling off near the top because you decide to dick around and take a selfie hopping on one leg.

 

[windmill]

It's less about it being rough comparably, it's more about wasting such a brilliant opportunity to establish ourselves at this level.

It's like putting in the hard work to climb a mountain then falling off near the top because you decide to dick around and take a selfie hopping on one leg.

Never mind the hopping on one leg. "Establishing ourselves at this level" needs wads of cash which the club does not have. It is so painfully obvious. Surely you can see that. Just stay out of the bottom three........... that is all we ask. Championship football is terrific.

 

[RgYellows]

So, they did not turn up. What sort of statement are you trying to get across? If they were attending in the Bill Asprey era then I can sympathise. If they can ignore Championship football then I pity them. We have never had it so good.

Honestly I was just sharing something I observed about the attendance yesterday there wasn’t any hidden statement.

This is what baffles me. We have spent years trying to get back to this level and then the first sign of things getting difficult people don't fancy it. If you want to follow a team that is always entertaining and winning then go and support Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal. Supporting a lower league side requires toughing out the rough spells** as well as enjoying the good times.

**Our current rough spell isn't even that rough either!!

Think the maths is pretty simple, plenty of people in the stands this season didn’t spend years watching us try to get back to this level. And plenty of them are checking how Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal get on.

 

[holdsteady]

So, they did not turn up. What sort of statement are you trying to get across? If they were attending in the Bill Asprey era then I can sympathise. If they can ignore Championship football then I pity them. We have never had it so good.

Apart from when we were in the top flight and win the league cup and the other 15 years we played at this level?

 

[werthersoriginal]

Apart from when we were in the top flight and win the league cup and the other 15 years we played at this level?

It’s a quarter of a century ago man

 

[holdsteady]

It’s a quarter of a century ago man

So? Do we have to forget about it? It’s actually 40 years ago, some of it.

But we have had it as good, or better, well people over 40 have.

 

[Oxymoron]

Staying up has always been the objective and probably will be until circumstances (ie the stadium) allow the club to have a different vision.

We've seen the stats regarding the probability of second season relegation, so perhaps we need to replace Rotherham as the "yo-yo" club - plenty of celebratory p**s-ups and drowning of sorrows each May!

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

Because Des actually gave a s**t. Even when we lost we went for it. Remember Watford away. Threw the kitchen sink at them and was unlucky to lose. Because a manager like him had the b*****s to go for it. Also he came and thanked the fans every game. Des got sacked for the same run of form we are on now, with a worse squad. Id actually love him back. Even if we went down with Des last season, id still fancy him to get us out of league one again.

His record in league one was actually not very good though was it, w11 L10 I believe. Admittedly negotiated 3 play off games but the rest of it is below average at best. It was the right decision to sack him and any one that wants him back seriously needs to give their head a wobble.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

It's less about it being rough comparably, it's more about wasting such a brilliant opportunity to establish ourselves at this level.

It's like putting in the hard work to climb a mountain then falling off near the top because you decide to dick around and take a selfie hopping on one leg.

To establish ourselves at this level we need to start signing ready to go Championship players.

 

[bazzer9461]

Miles offside sadly...

It’s a shame this wasn’t picked up previously

849K views · 16K reactions | Big Gaby asks Declan why they were defending so deep!!! #Arsenal 2-1 Wolves #PremierLeague | P Kwan Gooner

Big Gaby asks Declan why they were defending so deep!!! #Arsenal 2-1 Wolves #PremierLeague

www.facebook.com

 

[Happyfan]

To be honest, I thought the attacking play was OK today (at least until Lankshear & Prelec went off). Not great, but OK. We scored a great goal, forced a couple of decent saves and hit the crossbar. We did enough to get something from the game - even win it - if we'd defended properly.

But we didn't. For the 5th game in a row, we've conceded a goal to a set piece, or second ball following a set piece. We were soooo slow to get out to stop the cross coming back in. Frankly, I just don't think our method of set piece defending.....get literally everybody back inside the area.....is working, and I think the coaching staff needs a rethink.

And the second goal, bloody hell. Talk about being half asleep after the restart. We made it so, so simple for them to work around us, and then Helik didn't track his man properly across the area. Defend like that and literally every team in this division is going to score goals against us.

There were several other occasions where Preston forwards had far too much space in our half, and a better team going forwards would have punished us much more than Preston did.

This is a problem. The whole ethos of Rowettball is keep it tight and try and nick something. But we're not tight at the moment - haven't been all season - and so we're losing games even when we're having more of the possession and more of the play like we did today.

Charlton starting to feel like a must win game for GR.

Cummimgs should have prevented the first goal. He does not come out to collect the ball rooted to the line. He might have saved a few shots this season that is his job. He has also cost us a few points this season as well. It cant give the defence any confidence when a ball comes into the area whatsoever with him behind them