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Coach sacking bounce
It's kind of a crazy way to go, but I think that our approach to this game has to depend to an extent on how Luton get on against Coventry.
If Coventry win, then I'm fine with just trying to kill the game. A point then is enough, and we'll likely be OK with even a one goal loss.
If Luton win, then there's a non-zero chance that we're going to have to win one of these last two games, and our approach to the game has to be more aggressive.
And a draw means we fall somewhere in between.
Given that their game won't finish until half an hour before kickoff, we likely can't change our team accordingly though, so I would go with the following:
Cumming
Helik Moore Nelson
Ter Avest/Phillips* Leigh
Vaulks Brannagan
Goodrham
Romeny Harris
*Ter Avest if he's fit.....Phillips if he's not
My logic:
- We have three quality CBs, that are better relative to their position than any of our forwards, so let's play all three
- We do have players who can play WB effectively on both sides
- None of our wingers are currently worth starting. We can't play Shemmy after yesterday. I think Mills has looked better off the bench. Dembele is injured. Tyler is better centrally. So if we don't have any wingers worth playing, let's not play any of them
- I am unexcited by any of our forwards, so won't argue with anyone who wants to play Bradshaw or Rodrigues there instead. But I think our last performance where we looked in any way dangerous up front was Coventry, when Harris & Romeny played together. Maybe they can rediscover that.
Harsh on Matos, who has brought energy and toughness. But in that formation, we need a player who can look up and pick a pass in the #10. And I think he's still behind Vaulks and Brannagan in the CM pecking order.
If Coventry win, then I'm fine with just trying to kill the game. A point then is enough, and we'll likely be OK with even a one goal loss.
If Luton win, then there's a non-zero chance that we're going to have to win one of these last two games, and our approach to the game has to be more aggressive.
And a draw means we fall somewhere in between.
Given that their game won't finish until half an hour before kickoff, we likely can't change our team accordingly though, so I would go with the following:
Cumming
Helik Moore Nelson
Ter Avest/Phillips* Leigh
Vaulks Brannagan
Goodrham
Romeny Harris
*Ter Avest if he's fit.....Phillips if he's not
My logic:
- We have three quality CBs, that are better relative to their position than any of our forwards, so let's play all three
- We do have players who can play WB effectively on both sides
- None of our wingers are currently worth starting. We can't play Shemmy after yesterday. I think Mills has looked better off the bench. Dembele is injured. Tyler is better centrally. So if we don't have any wingers worth playing, let's not play any of them
- I am unexcited by any of our forwards, so won't argue with anyone who wants to play Bradshaw or Rodrigues there instead. But I think our last performance where we looked in any way dangerous up front was Coventry, when Harris & Romeny played together. Maybe they can rediscover that.
Harsh on Matos, who has brought energy and toughness. But in that formation, we need a player who can look up and pick a pass in the #10. And I think he's still behind Vaulks and Brannagan in the CM pecking order.
@Northstandboy I love the updates on the referee appointments.
I don't know if it's just me but I am getting tired of the sub standard officiating we're facing every single week. If it's anyone other than Gavin Ward or Oliver Langford then I dread to think what performance we're going to get from the man in the middle.
I don't know if it's just me but I am getting tired of the sub standard officiating we're facing every single week. If it's anyone other than Gavin Ward or Oliver Langford then I dread to think what performance we're going to get from the man in the middle.
Essexyellows
Level: Cameron Brannagan
(311 Apps, 57 Gls)
Home & hosed - stay calm.
2-0 win.
2-0 win.
Manorlounger
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
Bad enough that we have carried this absurd title "teams like Oxford" all season but then the officials look down on us as well. How many times have we seen the back slapping, hand shakes, pat on the shoulder stuff addressed to our opposition?
Eric Blair
Level: Dave Roberts
(176 Apps, 8 Gls)
Cant fault the logic. My worry is Brannagan. He's obviously carrying an injury and how long can we flog him on the pitch like we're doing? The game is too important not to play him but I worry about playing him to death. Matos is at least a good replacement there. On balance depending on fitness you go with Brannagan but I just worry ....
JOHN BOY
Level: Chris Maguire
(79 Apps, 22 Gls)
What a club man Cam is he's practically playing on one leg. Deserves so much love and respect from the fans which to be fair he absolutely gets.well done Cam.
He went down in agony on his knee, it’s a worry which I’m sure will be kept hush until 2pm on Saturday.
Yep agree with a lot of this - if Moore not ready for 90 mins would put long in there.
BillyTurleys CurlyWurly
Level: John Aldridge
(141 Apps, 90 Gls)
Cumming
Long Helik Nelson Leigh
Vaulks Brannagan
Mills Matos Goodrham
Romeny
Long Helik Nelson Leigh
Vaulks Brannagan
Mills Matos Goodrham
Romeny
Sell out plus home game, we are overdue a home win, my youngest lad is coming to this one ( he's not seen us lose this season), we're going to win this 2-1 Gregly and Tyler , the latter with a spectacular winner
Cumming
Ter Avest - Helik - Moore - Nelson - Leigh
Vaulks - Brannagan
Matos - Phillips - Goodrham
Our lack of quality in forward areas leads me to think we may as well have the extra defender and push our full backs on who are decent threats. Can’t put my finger on exactly why but I think we’re a better side with Moore in it and I think we need all our calmest heads and he’s an extra big lad for the long throws which I think Sunderland will struggle with.Ter Avest - Helik - Moore - Nelson - Leigh
Vaulks - Brannagan
Matos - Phillips - Goodrham
I don’t especially like any of our strikers or wide players, so I’d go for Phillips as the most physical option centrally (can he really make anything worse?) and play Matos and Goodrham as a pair of 10s playing off him. Matos could slot in to midfield when we’re defending, a bit like we did at Norwich.
More chance of me winning the lottery and probably a bit daft to change a system that’s accumulated a decent number of points recently and a good showing vs Leeds.
Zero chance that Phillips will start against Sunderland. Will be Harris up front.
I think you’re probably right. But in a 4231 I’d have him wide right over Placheta all day every day. He’s decent defensively which doesn’t get much air time and I think he’s much more likely to produce on the ball right now.
Why not 4:3:3?
Cumming
Ter Avest Helik Nelson Leigh
Matos Brannagan Vaulks
Romeny Bradshaw Harris
Chuck all three strikers on from the start!
Then when we’re 4:0 up and Sunderland have lost interest it won’t matter who we bring on
Cumming
Ter Avest Helik Nelson Leigh
Matos Brannagan Vaulks
Romeny Bradshaw Harris
Chuck all three strikers on from the start!
Then when we’re 4:0 up and Sunderland have lost interest it won’t matter who we bring on
West Oxon U’s
Level: Phil Whitehead
(238 Apps)
- Year of First Game
- 1975
The way he launched into a knee slide on Saturday didn’t make think he was carrying a knee injury….
Either that or he forgot in the moment and was regretting it after…
Didn’t he hurt in a tackle after the goal (may be wrong)
m
Level: Les Phillips
(224 Apps, 15 Gls)
Will we get a penalty at all this season? But I suppose we don't as we don't attack
No-one told us when Cam slotted 4 against Gillingham that we were using our future Championship penalties.
Bastards.
He’s been playing with a knee injury for few games now so that preceded the knee slide. Either way, it’s good news that it doesn’t appear to be holding him back too much.
SSO
Level: Chris Maguire
(79 Apps, 22 Gls)
I don’t think GR will be looking at the Luton v Coventry game. His team selections will need to be in before that game finishes.
Plan A
Go and win the game
Plan A
Go and win the game
Ewes
Level: John Aldridge
(141 Apps, 90 Gls)
There is a pattern in this division…..Bristol City went most of last season without winning a penalty until the last couple of games when they got one. I recall their fans whinging about it. Probably because the standard of defending is so much higher and they don’t take clumsy chances.
East Stand Fan
Level: Callum O'Dowda
(106 Apps, 14 Gls)
We simply don’t apply enough pressure in the box. Most of our goals have come from range, crosses or where it’s been slotted in. Rarely have our players got the ball down and really charged at defences. Even when we have, we don’t really have that quality to cause anyone problems.
To get a penalty at this level you really have to be splitting defences with surprise balls and have attacking players that are mobile.
How many stone wall penalties have we not been given? How may decent shouts have we even had? Its not a shock we haven't been given a penalty because we don't get the ball in the box a lot, can't get one without that happening.
I have enjoyed this season and I think we have done ok, but, you have to accept that we are not actually very good (at this level) that's why we are down the bottom in a relegation battle, our attack is one of the weakest in the division.
Its not a big club favouring conspiracy, you don't get penalties on a pro rata basis just for turning up, the opposition has to commit an offence worthy of one in the box, they just haven't needed to or even had the opportunity to this season.
I have enjoyed this season and I think we have done ok, but, you have to accept that we are not actually very good (at this level) that's why we are down the bottom in a relegation battle, our attack is one of the weakest in the division.
Its not a big club favouring conspiracy, you don't get penalties on a pro rata basis just for turning up, the opposition has to commit an offence worthy of one in the box, they just haven't needed to or even had the opportunity to this season.
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