Away Match Day Thread 25/02/2026 - MDT: Stoke City v Oxford United

[Carpy]

 

[Followtheox1]

Like it crippled Skarz long term?
Like Brannagan has struggled this season with niggly injuries?
A footballer’s career is short and I don’t blame a player putting their long term health and fitness fifirst.

Exactly. We don't know all the facts. What the risks were with leaving it versus having the op now. We don't know how much pain discomfort he has been in. He will have made this decision after discussion with his medical team.

 

[holdsteady]

3 midfielders vs Bristol City - 47% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

3 midfielders vs QPR - 52% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

2 midfielders ever since - average of 32% possession (and nothing greater than 40% in any individual game), typically (at best) clinging to a point that never looked capable of being all three ️

If only there were a conclusion we could draw from this.

The Leicester tactical change, which made sense for that one game and was, given how terrible Leicester have been since, perhaps not the epic win we felt it was at the time, seemed to kill off the 3 in midfield idea, since then we have taken two points from 6 games so you can probably make a point that the coaching staff got carried away and moved on from a formation which had more potential. Can be countered with us not scoring from the two games we played it but the goals haven't exactly been flying in playing the other formations and it probably deserved more than two games to see where it took us.

 

[Billyox]

3 midfielders vs Bristol City - 47% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

3 midfielders vs QPR - 52% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

2 midfielders ever since - average of 32% possession (and nothing greater than 40% in any individual game), typically (at best) clinging to a point that never looked capable of being all three ️

If only there were a conclusion we could draw from this.

A point i have been making all season stick 3 in midfield we have more control play with a no 10 we get over run

 

[WRox]

The Leicester tactical change, which made sense for that one game and was, given how terrible Leicester have been since, perhaps not the epic win we felt it was at the time, seemed to kill off the 3 in midfield idea, since then we have taken two points from 6 games so you can probably make a point that the coaching staff got carried away and moved on from a formation which had more potential. Can be countered with us not scoring from the two games we played it but the goals haven't exactly been flying in playing the other formations and it probably deserved more than two games to see where it took us.

Spencer and Currie were absolutely key to that performance, so naturally we spent the end of the window desperately trying to sign any old left wing back and forcing Greg Leigh out (to the extent of picking Phillips there), and didn’t bother to sign anybody who could cover the other side.

 

[Billyox]

Like it crippled Skarz long term?
Like Brannagan has struggled this season with niggly injuries?
A footballer’s career is short and I don’t blame a player putting their long term health and fitness first.

I always remember our manager at the time Mark Wright absolutely slating joey for saying he couldn't play because of his toe
Joey only played one more game after that because of his injury

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

The Leicester tactical change, which made sense for that one game and was, given how terrible Leicester have been since, perhaps not the epic win we felt it was at the time, seemed to kill off the 3 in midfield idea, since then we have taken two points from 6 games so you can probably make a point that the coaching staff got carried away and moved on from a formation which had more potential. Can be countered with us not scoring from the two games we played it but the goals haven't exactly been flying in playing the other formations and it probably deserved more than two games to see where it took us.

I suspect they will finish higher than us under their current boss

 

[Common Villager]

We weren't particularly defensive yesterday, we gave it a go and tried to attack - we just weren't good enough. The midfield has been a problem all season and the 'number 10' ineffective. With our first choice midfield all potentially injured I'm not sure what options we have to play with more freedom and attacking intent.

We sit so deep our only form of attack is 100 mile an hour fast breaks where we hot-potato it to somewhere near halfway line and then hope someone like Mills or Placheta can pick it up and run 50 yards before getting a shot away. We very, very rarely build an attack where there's a clear pattern of play and we produce clear cut chances.

 

[carefreeoufc]

Spencer and Currie were absolutely key to that performance, so naturally we spent the end of the window desperately trying to sign any old left wing back and forcing Greg Leigh out (to the extent of picking Phillips there), and didn’t bother to sign anybody who could cover the other side.

I suspect this will be a shortsighted decision come Aug 2026. Ok, he's getting on a bit, but he's proven he's perfectly capable at L1 level. Not to mention he's proven he's a goal threat at that level and in the Championship. When Currie is sold in the summer, we'll be looking for a replacement for both.

 

[dickwalton1964]

I should imagine he has used him because Arsenal are top of the league, in a cup final and still in two other cup competitions, not a situation can really remember a Pulis team being in at the end of February.

Possibly but there's a hell of a lot of other managers who play football the right way alongside actually winning trophies, as opposed to just competing. Roll this thread back 10 years and would you have used Pulis as an example if Stoke were riding high in the PL - as they sometimes were - and in both cups still ?

 

[werthersoriginal]

We sit so deep our only form of attack is 100 mile an hour fast breaks where we hot-potato it to somewhere near halfway line and then hope someone like Mills or Placheta can pick it up and run 50 yards before getting a shot away. We very, very rarely build an attack where there's a clear pattern of play and we produce clear cut chances.

Yes I agree, our midfield doesn't have any fluency or ability to keep the ball. Mock me if you like but I wish we still had Marcus McGuane, he could pass and hold on to the ball.

 

[holdsteady]

Possibly but there's a hell of a lot of other managers who play football the right way alongside actually winning trophies, as opposed to just competing. Roll this thread back 10 years and would you have used Pulis as an example if Stoke were riding high in the PL - as they sometimes were - and in both cups still ?

Yeah I remember ten years ago when Stoke were top of the premier league, in a cup final and competing in the champions league KO stages.

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

I suspect this will be a shortsighted decision come Aug 2026. Ok, he's getting on a bit, but he's proven he's perfectly capable at L1 level. Not to mention he's proven he's a goal threat at that level and in the Championship. When Currie is sold in the summer, we'll be looking for a replacement for both.

Bang on - to make it even worse although he has always carried a goal threat the only club he has been positively on fire at is us making it even more bizarre

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

I think one thing that really sticks out to me about this appointment is when Bloomfield was talking about Mike Dodds being appointed as his assistant. It was something along the lines of "I've never worked with him before, I don't know him too well but I gave him a text 48 hours ago asking if he fancied it and now he's here". That's just mental, how can that be allowed to happen? It took 3 weeks to appoint Bloomfield and he didn't have a full backroom staff sorted? Besides the point but why are Short and Hackett still here? Why is it that Des, Rowett and now Bloomfield have had to immerse themselves in an already set backroom staff, who, for the most part, haven't proved they're anything close to capable. Why has there been no willingness to improve our coaching staff? A complete cultural reset is better in the long term than having a set team for a new manager to fail under.

It shouldn't have to get toxic towards the manager or players if we lose on Saturday, we're 6 points off safety and playing the team just above the safety line - this is an opportunity to back the team all the way, toxicity helps no one on the pitch or in the dugout. If you want to aim vitriol towards someone, make sure it's Tim Williams and Grant Ferguson, I cannot quite fathom how ridiculously bad they've been at running our great football club.

People have been correctly describing Blackburn and others as basket case clubs - tbf that is a little like the pot and kettle analogy given the way we are being run

 

[holdsteady]

We need a clear out, no point being overly sentimental, Leigh has been good for us but any out of contract players need to go and we move on.

 

[billyturleyscurlywurly]

Bloomfield was appointed because of his relationship with Scott Mitchell.

It meant we was able to bring in 8 player easily in the window.

This wouldn’t of been the case under Rowett who obviously didn’t agree with the recruitment done by Mitchell & Waldron etc in the summer & in his words hadn’t held conversations about January recruitment even up to Charlton away.

Ferguson & Williams decided to back Waldron & Mitchell over Gary Rowett.

Foolish buffoons.

 

[TailsWeWin]

random thoughts morning after the night before

preseason was an absolute disaster- A tournament on poor playing surfaces with substandard referees led to a number of injuries as well as disrupted preparation for the season- We know it was a bit of a vanity project for Erik Thorhir- so why not send the 2 Indonesian internationals along with some of our promising youngsters to take part?

Recruitment hasnt been what it should be- have any of the first team coaches been involved since weve been back in the championship

A genuine DoF should have been installed straight after we won the Play Off final

I really have no confidence in Waldron n co, nor in Tim Williams ( and his appointee, Adam Benson),

in the main, this season OUFC have been too 'nice', in all aspects on field. Any wonder weve not had a penalty at this level?

What goes on in training? What exactly gets worked on?- Attacking & shooting and scoring? cohesion in midfield ?, passing to a team mate? Fitness, pace and strength? Given the amount of errors that have cost goals, defending as a team appears to also not be included? So what does get worked on?

Up front weve been shot shy, along with few chances created and even less on target, nevermind converted into goals.
( Unofficial OUFC top scorer Beano Constable is on the staff, as is now Matty Taylor who knows where the goal is and how to shithouse- yet the first team coaches havent enlisted their experience)

We seem to be less fit, physically weaker and generally smaller that defences we come up against- yet persist with Vaulks pointless 'long ' throws- theres a noticeable lack of stamina this season, and lack of pace. Midfield has been woeful in the main, Brannagan and Vaulks dont play well together, especially as a pair.



All clubs have players that are out injured, why is it we seem to have a number of key players out more or less constantly - when did GR or has MB had more or less a full squad to choose from ? _ Currently, Goodrham & BDK are out for the season, Donley, McDonell, Spencer, Placheta are all in the treatment room ( what ever happened to the Sports Science system that the club , under Ian Lenagan's tenure, paid a lot for, during that time players who picked up injuries had quick, quicker than current, recovery times, and were more robust)

Bloomfield ( and Dodds to a lesser degree) are familiar with Wycombes 'anti Football', dark arts and shithousery style, yet none of those elements seem to have been utilised at all. Why not? It may not be pretty or good to watch, however IMO we are more than missing a trick by not implementing some of them

Yes Im not pleased with how things are looking for OUFC with 12 games left- can Bloomfield turn it round? - I hope so. It aint over until its mathamatically impossible. Its the hope that kills you.

I'll be there Saturday supporting my team. Up the Manor!

Many good points, Sarge.
So why do you keep predicting we’ll win??

 

[Slade Yellow]

Talk of the midfield…it’s totally bypassed most of the time as the best ball playing defender we have sits on the bench. The defence is a bomb scare on the ball, just limping it in the channels or asking the striker to control the ball at neck height.

Listening to the commentary on sky the that our attacking players were not even trying to get into the goal area when we had a corner but stood and simply ball watched outside the area is so correct, hence the lack of a penalty, our defence were also accused of ball watching most of the time instead of actually defending.
Until the couple of old duffer amateur coaches that are incredibly still lurking on our bench get kicked out absolutely nothing is going to change regardless of which league we play in.
For goodness sake there has to be professional experienced football coaches looking for a job!

 

[Sarge]

Many good points, Sarge.
So why do you keep predicting we’ll win??

blind faith- and hope. And unwavering support for my team

 

[dickwalton1964]

Yeah I remember ten years ago when Stoke were top of the premier league, in a cup final and competing in the champions league KO stages.

Not CL but they reached the FA Cup final and have got to the latter stages of domestic cups as well as competing in the top half of the PL. Anyway, it's not that important I just found it very weird that someone was quoting a manager who's managerial philosophy centres around a bundle in the box at set pieces and after about 7 years is still waiting to win something (OK, he won an FA Cup shortly after taking over someone else's team) despite spending a fortune and smashing transfer records in the process. There's about 20 managers I'd have used as an example before Arteta !!!

 

[TheDukeOfBanburyshire]

The owner - in a football sense - doesn't know what he's doing so logically, he should have ensured that the people he hired to take charge of the football club and given decision-making responsibilities know what they're doing.

It's increasingly evident that Tim Williams and Grant Ferguson DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

For how long can this be allowed to continue?

 

[carefreeoufc]

Not CL but they reached the FA Cup final and have got to the latter stages of domestic cups as well as competing in the top half of the PL. Anyway, it's not that important I just found it very weird that someone was quoting a manager who's managerial philosophy centres around a bundle in the box at set pieces and after about 7 years is still waiting to win something (OK, he won an FA Cup shortly after taking over someone else's team) despite spending a fortune and smashing transfer records in the process. There's about 20 managers I'd have used as an example before Arteta !!!

It was the Europa League. I had family travel to a few of the away games (Valencia for example).

 

[uptheus]

For me this isn't about players. We clearly have the players to stay up - we have (on the whole) better individual players than we had last season and we stayed up last season. THe league may have become more challenging this season (I think it has) but we can only focus on what we can do.

The issue for me is clearly about management and identity. When Rowett came in last season we saw an immediate identity and strategy stamped on the team. It wasn't pretty, but we stayed up because of being defensively very solid, organised and compact, and nicking goals where we could. You can argue about the merits of that but it did keep us up.

This season, whatever happened to Rowett he tried to transition out of what we'd done last season, but it wasn't really clear what he was trying to get us to do. Selections got super weird, he looked jaded and lost, and so did the players. Bloomfield has come in as a response to that, and his selections are super weird, he looks a bit lost and the players look like they've barely met each other. They're so shot of confidence. Last night did have some bright moments, but I don't see clearly what he's trying to do. Some really odd selections and subs, too.

I think it's probably too late now, but it was so clear when he came in that we needed VERY clear and simple tactics/instruction and the players just needed to know theirs and each others' roles. Even in the decent games we've played, it just hasn't felt coherent or clear what we're trying to do. I'm fine with Bloomfield as an appointment on the whole, but he and Ed need to sort this out, and quickly.

We don’t have enough up to the Championship level players to stay up, but I also don’t believe they’ve been managed, coached and set-up to produce the best of themselves either.

The whole scenario has been a s**t show, from behind the scenes management, recruitment and coaching etc, hence, why we are where we are.

 

[uptheus]

Yes I agree, our midfield doesn't have any fluency or ability to keep the ball. Mock me if you like but I wish we still had Marcus McGuane, he could pass and hold on to the ball.

And add to that, when Vaulks just nonchalantly loop a non-directed ball into space or makes a pass to a player who isn’t in a good position to receive the ball, what chance have you got!

 

[RgYellows]

3 midfielders vs Bristol City - 47% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

3 midfielders vs QPR - 52% possession, a 'win on xG', and a comfortable point that could have been all three ️

2 midfielders ever since - average of 32% possession (and nothing greater than 40% in any individual game), typically (at best) clinging to a point that never looked capable of being all three ️

If only there were a conclusion we could draw from this.

I’d be up for us trying Long and then Romeny alongside Vaulks in the midfield two for our next couple of games to make absolutely sure it doesn’t work and then we can really draw a line under it and go to a 3-4-3 or whatever we fancy trying next.

We could always give Vaulks and Brannagan one more game together but we are running out of fixtures if we want to test absolutely every random combination of set ups before May.

 

[Trevor L]

I completely agree that our shambles of a pre-season and summer recruitment has put us up against it this season and is a significant factor in our struggles, but I do stand by my opinion that we're also being consistently let down by poor managerial performance that is exacerbating these issues and not giving us the best chance to get results.

Last night was another head-scratcher. Losing McDonnell was a huge blow, but to replace him with Vaulks and have him in a two with Brannagan was baffling. To then have Peart-Harris as an AM when we couldn't get any good possession and play through the lines to him was equally frustrating to watch.

I don't know why you wouldn't look at the players available and go with a solid three of Konak, Vaulks and Brannagan in midfield to give another body and disrupt Stoke, and also enable the midfield to help the full-backs more. Peart-Harris was redundant in the AM role, we should have abandoned it and had him out wide left with Jeon to come on later.

Controversially, I'd have then had Roosken at left back. He's got much more pace than Currie and with a disciplined Peart-Harris ahead of him and a more compact midfield he might have offered us an alternative out-ball on the counter down the left-hand side. What did we sign him for if he isn't going to be used in games like these? We might as well have just registered Leigh and used that money for another midfielder.

All of our good moments in the first half came on the counter with no more than 2 players involved in getting Mills up the pitch and it felt a little bit like we were playing with 10 players by having an isolated AM barely pressing and not getting involved with the play.

It's this level of detail and squeezing the most out of what we have that has been severely lacking, and is making Bloomfield's appointment look more underwhelming by the week. I obviously recognise that we have a disjointed squad and do lack quality in key areas, but I do also maintain a really competent coaching unit would be getting more out of the players and would have us on more points. And for that, the Senior Management Team really have dropped yet another ball.

Hard to disagree with any of that. Your second paragraph stands out for me. I think if you are going to play two in midfield (not a setup I like, but that's by the by), your two have to be exceptional to cover the ground and avoid the midfield being overrun. Cameron and Vaulks is not a pairing that is going to deliver that, and you either add a n other, or you take a different approach.

 

[OohJonnyLager]

We won't win on Sat. We'll struggle to win again this season the way we're playing. Too negative, too one dimensional, players not good enough.

Tough times for our club.

Tough times?? Were you there in the conference or when we were that close to going into liquidation.. it’s not nice losing but if you think this is tough.. then it’s maybe you that needs to harden up a bit

 

[windmill]

Yes I agree, our midfield doesn't have any fluency or ability to keep the ball. Mock me if you like but I wish we still had Marcus McGuane, he could pass and hold on to the ball.

McGuane. Blew hot, blew cold........................mostly cold. When he went "missing" he really did.

 

[Symp59]

Let's be honest whether you like Rowett or not just like Stoke had Tony Pulis he was perfect for us last year and this for the money we can spend when Stokes wage bill is £35 million and ours is £12 million and after going to the game last night the gulf between the teams looked massive. But not to back Rowett in preseason was incredible Tim and the recruitment team should be gone ,he will keep Leicester up and we will be going down sadly. There's a difference between a small club with a small club mentality and a small club run with a professional mentality sadly I know which one we are.

 

[windmill]

Tough times?? Were you there in the conference or when we were that close to going into liquidation.. it’s not nice losing but if you think this is tough.. then it’s maybe you that needs to harden up a bit

Whats it to be? Liquidising or hardening? Thawing or freezing?

 

[38yearsofpain]

I think even Jesus would say "Sorry mate, not for me this one".

Even God would be saying I built the earth in 7 days and nights but sorting OUFC out is impossible.
We've made so many stupid mistakes at all levels at the club since staying up. We are getting what we deserve, unfortunately. Sad fact of life in football the only guy who is held responsible is the head coach even when you literally tie his hands behind his back and blindfold him. The lack of true accountability is appalling.
We look like a lot of different departments all working to very different goals and the outcome is visible for all to see.
Not scoring goals has been the failure that will relegate us. That is the visible symptom of our malaise not the route cause of our current illness.
The worry is this could easily extend into our move to League 1.