Home Match Day Thread +++ 23/12/2017 OUFC v Wigan Athletic match day thread +++

[Deleted member 462]

In fairness, the team did visit the children's ward last week...was all over social media.

Kind of missed the point there. They are paid a lot of money to do what they do, if the effort was there yesterday I doubt we would all have been as annoyed losing against a team top of the league. It was the manner, the lack of fight and passion, how many frustrated late tackles did u see from us. How many players screaming at each other for a cock up that lead to a goal. How many down on their knees heads in hands ? I don’t think many could have argued at the time that letting players like skarz, macca, dunks, Wright go, to replace with better (questionable) is a bad decision, but it’s the passion, the anger and frustration of losing, the temper where u go crunching through that number 11 because he’s walking round u that we’ve lost. The willingness to fight for each other and show us that they care as well, that it pisses them off when they play bad as well

 

[Berliner]

Kind of missed the point there. They are paid a lot of money to do what they do, if the effort was there yesterday I doubt we would all have been as annoyed losing against a team top of the league. It was the manner, the lack of fight and passion, how many frustrated late tackles did u see from us. How many players screaming at each other for a cock up that lead to a goal. How many down on their knees heads in hands ? I don’t think many could have argued at the time that letting players like skarz, macca, dunks, Wright go, to replace with better (questionable) is a bad decision, but it’s the passion, the anger and frustration of losing, the temper where u go crunching through that number 11 because he’s walking round u that we’ve lost. The willingness to fight for each other and show us that they care as well, that it pisses them off when they play bad as well

Fair enough, misunderstood what you meant (and agree with the need for more fight). I just think the children's ward thing is a bit of an odd stick to beat them with.

 

[Northstandboy]

Wigan were quality, so many times in the past we have gone 2-3 up and say back, then conceded. They carried on

 

[Deleted member 462]

Fair enough, misunderstood what you meant (and agree with the need for more fight). I just think the children's ward thing is a bit of an odd stick to beat them with.

No wasn’t using it as a stick to beat the players. I was using it along with the yellow army raffle and Oxvox as examples of efforts and time that fans put in unPaid. I want to see that effort and commitment every time they pull that shirt on.

 

[Morris Oxford]

Wigan were quality, so many times in the past we have gone 2-3 up and say back, then conceded. They carried on

Yes I was thinking that too.

Whereas Blackburn found themselves 3-0 up after 20 mins and decided to try and keep it tight for the remainder of the match. Obviously they still came out 4-2 winners but there was nothing like the intensity and desire of the Wigan side to keep pushing forward and score more goals.

 

[Gary Baldi]

Having slept on it, we got caught in a perfect storm. A one paced squad because of injuries out wide (and another winger leaving on deadline day), with a complete lack of confidence, experience and nous in the middle of midfield. The concern about pace meant the defenders didn't go forward and wingers were worried about getting back, so didn't get forward much either. And when they did, Wigan filled the space and and counter attacked. When the defenders had the ball, there were no outlets, so they either hoofed the ball, kicked it out or served it on a platter to Wigan.

From what was in the paper today, Pep did apologise to the fans for the performance "We are sorry to the loyal fans who wanted us to do better". Hardly an on your knees apology, but one nonetheless.

 

[North Wales Yellow]

Not that it makes things any better but.... Wigan scored 7 goals from 8 Shots on target. Clinical

 

[Peterdev]

Whatever way you look at it we are nowhere near promotion material. Can't see anyone turning around our season after a crushing defeat like that. A defeat on Boxing Day and surely the writing is on the wall forPep

 

[Topper Haines]

Having slept on it, we got caught in a perfect storm. A one paced squad because of injuries out wide (and another winger leaving on deadline day), with a complete lack of confidence, experience and nous in the middle of midfield. The concern about pace meant the defenders didn't go forward and wingers were worried about getting back, so didn't get forward much either. And when they did, Wigan filled the space and and counter attacked. When the defenders had the ball, there were no outlets, so they either hoofed the ball, kicked it out or served it on a platter to Wigan.

I think this sums up pretty much my thoughts. A perfect storm. That said I didn't think Wigan were world beaters - a very good team all over the park though and that is why we haven't been punished as much by other teams. The lack of pace was more evident than ever yesterday - when we attack the ball goes from defence to midfield to attack with barely any overlap. Wigan on the other hand were able to constantly outnumber us offensively and defensively because of their ability to blend defence into attack and vice-versa..
I'm in two minds as to who to point the finger at here - clearly we need better personnel for our system but on the other hand the players aren't useless and should be able to play a 442. Eales if he doesn't sanction the recruitment for January, Clotet for being 1 dimensional or the players. Perhaps all 3.
Sad thing is that this hiding has been threatened for a while.

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

Personally I would be a bit worried giving Clotet funds in January. He might go out and get another Van Kessel.
Somebody at the club thought he was worth £800k, I assume it was Clotet. I would sack him just for that.

 

[Robie]

I blame the ref.

 

[Marked Ox]

I blame the ref.

Very good.

 

[Shropshire U]

I've followed the U's for 45 years and will always have pride in the club, but heading home from the Kassam yesterday I found myself wondering if any of the current squad, management and board have pride in OUFC.
Living where I do I mainly get to away games these days and whatever else, I've seldom felt that a Yellows squad has lacked heart and self-respect.
Those are qualities (along with basic skills, pace and team structure) that were totally absent yesterday.
Some posts on here have emphasised Wigan's good qualities, but all they had to do was play like professionals and feed off our mistakes and our apathy.
High on a long list of problems is the lack of leadership. At no point did Mousinho step up in that role, and his own game crumbled horribly in the second half.
If Clotet thinks he can carry on after something as bad as that, good luck to him. But the whole experience yesterday smelt of a sickness in the club.

 

[makv]

Rome has been sacked fewer times as he has.

As I’ve said in this thread previously, he’s a good coach but a poor manager. A nice guy Peter Taylor where we need a hell-hath-no-fury Brian Clough.

Desperately missing Appleton too .

What’s Brian Clough up to these days? Maybe he’d fancy a pop at it?

 

[makv]

Utter humiliation yesterday.

Thought we were headed for double figures and I just can’t think of a more shocking display I have witnessed in a long time.

Confidence has to be absolutely shot to bits and I’m afraid I just can’t see Pep having the ability to turn this around, he is just too nice.

Going into the busy Christmas period this could not have come at a worst time. It’s all very well Pep saying it’s just one game and 3 points but I’m far more concerned about the collateral damage.

Pep is becoming a Clot and has to turn this around immediately or otherwise I think he will become the ghost of Christmas past.

For some reason I just couldn’t get the 12 Days of Christmas out of my head last night ?.

Have a great Christmas one and all.. onto Gills ?.

It wasn’t 3 points lost. It was only 1 point, because that’s what we started with. Clotet logic. Baffling.

 

[Notaswindonfan]

What’s Brian Clough up to these days? Maybe he’d fancy a pop at it?

He’s known longer with us RIP

 

[Peterdev]

If only Brian Clough could take us forward. Passion he certainly had.
Clotet...best to go now...can't be long before he's gone now

 

[Oxfordpete]

I have supported Oxford since i was 10 - this was before many of you were born. I have seen some rubbish being played by Oxford - but yesterdays performance was up there........ I have seen some games this season where we have won and drawn - but I wasnt sure how we did so. I know we have lost many of our best players, some difficult to replace, but we have replaced them with players who just arent good enough. I dont want to name names but there are 3 players yesterday who I dont think should wear the shirt again. I am sure that there are many who might think there are more than that. Some of the players have produced this season and had a very bad day yesterday, but there are times when they can produce. League 1 players and league 1 for a reason, and inconstancy is one of them, another would be that they simply are not good enough. we do have injuries yes, but i am genuinely worried for the rest of the season. I hope we can turn it round..... I pray we can (and I'm not religious) but the players this year are not as good as those from last year. Even Eastwood who has been brilliant hasnt been his best this season.... is the problem the defence in front of him?? Our midfield was torn apart yesterday... yes Wigan are a much better team. But during this season if a team closes us down, rushes up, work together in pack we are lost, we cant cope... Are we fit enough ?? regardless of, are we good enough..... Lets hope for a reaction over the next few games.... COYY

 

[Phantompieman]

Demoralizing for Eastwood....

 

[Gary Baldi]

I think this sums up pretty much my thoughts. A perfect storm. That said I didn't think Wigan were world beaters - a very good team all over the park though and that is why we haven't been punished as much by other teams. The lack of pace was more evident than ever yesterday - when we attack the ball goes from defence to midfield to attack with barely any overlap. Wigan on the other hand were able to constantly outnumber us offensively and defensively because of their ability to blend defence into attack and vice-versa..
I'm in two minds as to who to point the finger at here - clearly we need better personnel for our system but on the other hand the players aren't useless and should be able to play a 442. Eales if he doesn't sanction the recruitment for January, Clotet for being 1 dimensional or the players. Perhaps all 3.
Sad thing is that this hiding has been threatened for a while.

It was obvious yesterday that Wigan played a high line because they knew that there was more chance of white christmas in Perth, than any of our players getting behind their back line. It helped them press the p**s out of us.

We really need a wide player with pace, another central midfield player and a centre back with pace. More fit players in the squad will pressure the entire team to be better. Too many players know their position is safe because there is no one else to come in.

And I'd get rid of Aaron Martin for the good his career.

 

[Paul Cannell]

If only Brian Clough could take us forward. Passion he certainly had.
Clotet...best to go now...can't be long before he's gone now

Clough's been dead 13 years but he's got as much chance of avoiding relegation for us as the catatonian.

 

[Kris Grebis]

I'm watching the highlights, it's quite stunning to watch Williamson constantly give away goals by standing 10 yards behind the other defenders for no reason.

Merry Christmas everyone

 

[Peterdev]

I hope at least five get dropped tomorrow. So desperately need a change to. what happened against Wigan

 

[Cass63]

I stayed till the end and one thing that pissed me off, apart from the result, was Chey running across the pitch clapping the fans, not because of that, but, the fans clapping him back made the few oxford players that braved coming down and clapping us think we were clapping them. And mouse nodding his head at us. Lack of respect for the crowd from our captain.

 

[Cass63]

Btw, it’s taken me 2 days to post on here after that s**t. I’m still fuming now.

 

[Topper Haines]

I stayed till the end and one thing that pissed me off, apart from the result, was Chey running across the pitch clapping the fans, not because of that, but, the fans clapping him back made the few oxford players that braved coming down and clapping us think we were clapping them. And mouse nodding his head at us. Lack of respect for the crowd from our captain.

More likely he was acknowledging the poor performance, I don't think he's the type to disrespect the fanbase. I don't think any of the players could possibly have thought we were clapping them - imagine the reaction if the whole team had walked off so at least they came over. Some did walk off of course...

 

[Grumpy Git]

I would like to see our captain screaming at and getting in the faces of our "team". The bloody manager hasn't the guts to give them s**t when they are playing like 11 individuals.

 

[Robie]

Mous, and a couple of others ,came as close as they dared to the fans and clapped and held their hands up apologetically. I'm not sure how his actions after the match were seen as disrespectful to the crowd.