Home Match Day Thread 26/04/25: Championship: OUFC v Sunderland

[Northstandboy]

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Have to put my hand up and say after the Hull debacle I honestly thought we were going to be relegated. So thrilled that I was proven wrong and hats off to all of you who had no doubts we would stay up
What I’ve seen in every game bar then apart from QPR is an effort and determination not to be beaten
Just think we have had Nelson, Brannagan, Moore, Leigh and Bennett out for fair few matches this season
It has been our defence and midfield that have kept us in games and our defenders who have done most of the scoring
Special thanks to Matos who for a loan player has shown exceptional commitment
If we can get another Nelson replacement get Currie back and replace Mc Checran with a quality player plus retain Matos we will be in good shape in midfield and defence
The hard work starts with getting good attacking quality players in

 

[PQ]

But Plymouth and Cardiff can't, so at least three teams can't get to 51.

Cardiff are relegated and Plymouth are effectively relegated on GD even if they win at home against Leeds to get to 49 points.

If we only had those 51 points (minus the Cambran goal) and then lost to Swansea on the last day then the following teams could have overtaken us to send us down:
Hull..win at Fart-on Park and move to 51 points with a much better GD than us.
Luton..win at WBA to move to 52 points.
Preston..win away at Bristol City and move to 52 points..overtaking OUFC.
Derby.. win at home to Stoke and overtake our 51..their GD is also superior.
Stoke..win at Derby and they go to 53 points.. a draw might even put them above us if the scores went against us on the last day.

It's been a long day m8 but you say "so at least three teams can't get to 51"

Even discounting Stoke and Derby because they play each other surely Hull, Luton and Preston could top 51 points? Hull can, Luton can and Preston can?

 

[Nadi-]

For you all who moaned about the Cardiff draw, it’s a 46 game season. And a very valuable point as it turns out.
Yellows

 

[Nadi-]

Have to put my hand up and say after the Hull debacle I honestly thought we were going to be relegated. So thrilled that I was proven wrong and hats off to all of you who had no doubts we would stay up
What I’ve seen in every game bar then apart from QPR is an effort and determination not to be beaten
Just think we have had Nelson, Brannagan, Moore, Leigh and Bennett out for fair few matches this season

It has been our defence and midfield that have kept us in games and our defenders who have done most of the scoring
Special thanks to Matos who for a loan player has shown exceptional commitment
If we can get another Nelson replacement get Currie back and replace Mc Checran with a quality player plus retain Matos we will be in good shape in midfield and defence
The hard work starts with getting good attacking quality players in

Fish from Cardiff

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

Fantastic day , just absolutely delighted with the performance.
We defy the odds to go again next season.
Build and become established but thank you to every player involved this season

 

[JoeUFC]

Highlight of the game for me was Greg Leigh walking around after being subbed! Hope someone got a video of that. Relentlessly loved, that guy!

 

[Joey]

It won't be popular, especially today, but I'm in a good mood so a shout out to Swindon as well. It's easy get carried away with us securing our Championship future by beating a Sunderland team with a couple of likely future England players in front of a full house but they managed a plucky draw away at 9 man Gillingham today.

Keeps their hopes of a top half finish in a league a full two divisions below us alive going into the final day. Bless.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Fish from Cardiff

At the docks?

 

[Eric Blair]

View attachment 26813

Trust in the Egg! @Eric Blair sorry not to see you but my positivity was needed elsewhere!

So proud of our club this season, and survival is almost as sweet as promotion because it has been a battle every step of the way.

We were given no hope at the beginning of the season. We've had no penalties and it feels like officials are now taking the p1ss in how bad they can be. We've played against reserve players worth more than our squad, and others who have played their entire careers at this level or higher.

We've been found wanting in every position, and a few haven't made it (I still miss Des!). But everyone has contributed in one way or another and we've survived as a team beyond anything we could have achieved as individuals.

And the fans have been nothing less than exceptional. Genuine goosebumps towards the end of today, and that is as loud as anything I've ever experienced at the Kassam. From 2.30 the crowd was buzzing and built superbly upto kick off. Some were talking of nerves on here, but I didn't feel any at the game and I think I'm going to need to get a fleet of Positive Buses if we continue like this!

Last season we finished 49th in English football. Tonight we sit in 37th with the possibility of gaining a couple more places next week. The dream of being a top 30 club is a realistic objective for next season and whilst we still need to be financially cautious, there is so much to look forward to.

Onwards and upwards my yellow brothers and sisters! You've all been amazing!

Well said scotchers!!

 

[Eric Blair]

Ben Nelson looked like an adult taking part in a kids kickabout at times today. He was absolutely and totally in control. One of the best centre back displays I’ve seen at the Kassan Stadium.

It was easy for him.

He was absolutely first class today. His first touch is so good

 

[BicesterU]

I see we've reached the 'this is how we still could've gone down next week had this specific thing happened/not happened earlier in the season' stage of trying to find anything to be miserable/argue about.

We're staying up, you disappointment-craving maniacs!

 

[RgYellows]

Yep…joyless

I hope and fully expect to see you grumbling if Oxford rest players in Swansea!

 

[Kamal]

Next time the club need to turn off the music during the lap of honour. Let us build an atmosphere instead of having Dua Lipa blasting over the PA.

 

[Malc]

you sure those tissues are for tears?

Perhaps he's got a runny nose.

 

[RgYellows]

Absolutely mad but at full time today I felt a massive weight lift off me. My chest loosened up and I literally started to breathe easier.

I would say I’ve loved this season, I’ve looked forward to pretty much every game, but clearly it got to me more than I realised. I barely slept last night.

Get the absolute f**k in. Love this club. I love this team - I’ve never seen an Oxford side fight for each other like this across an entire year. It’s like we never slowed down since the play off semi final. @Joey - if you want an example of a tireless Mark Harris performance, this was it.

I’m ready to start complaining about Wrexham now.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

Preston’s slide:

 

[holdsteady]

Fantastic day. Started off with Coventry giving away a ridiculous own goal to get the nerves going, but once the game got going we looked well up for it, scored and just started to believe, got the second and we just never looked like throwing it away.

People were writing us off because of who we had left at home but our performances against the top four at home , who are not just top of the overall table but also top four of the away table, has been seven points and plus two goal difference over the four games, probably what has got us over the line. Considering we never laid a glove on any of them away the performances against them at home (even the loss to Leeds) have been an incredible show of guts, organisation and spirit.

We might not be the best team in the league but no one can doubt our players hearts, proud of all of them.

 

[Leysboy]

Bloody fantastic result today.

What a job Gary Rowett has done.

Championship next season

I love watching this football club, and can’t wait to see us strengthen for next season, and push on for a solid mid table finish. It feels good to go to Swansea and just go and enjoy the day, knowing we are safe.

Gary Rowett’s Yellow Army.

 

[RgYellows]

Preston’s slide:

It will be a real battle to maintain this intensity next year. I think it’s vital though, without it we would have been down.

 

[ScottishYellow]

I hope we give Marcelino some minutes in Wales. If we announce it beforehand, might make some serious coin.......

I’d give him a start.

 

[Nadi-]

Ben Nelson looked like an adult taking part in a kids kickabout at times today. He was absolutely and totally in control. One of the best centre back displays I’ve seen at the Kassan Stadium.

It was easy for him.

He just has class all about him,

 

[werthersoriginal]

Absolutely mad but at full time today I felt a massive weight lift off me. My chest loosened up and I literally started to breathe easier.

I would say I’ve loved this season, I’ve looked forward to pretty much every game, but clearly it got to me more than I realised. I barely slept last night.

Get the absolute f**k in. Love this club. I love this team - I’ve never seen an Oxford side fight for each other like this across an entire year. It’s like we never slowed down since the play off semi final. @Joey - if you want an example of a tireless Mark Harris performance, this was it.

I’m ready to start complaining about Wrexham now.

They were so fired up today that in the first half I was worried Tyler and Cam were going to be sent off. It was summed up for me when Ruben fought for the ball, lost it, and crawled across the grass trying to pull the guy’s leg.

 

[Marked Ox]

I think this is appropriate for the day:

 

[Made-in-Jericho]

Just got home and what an absolute joy of a day.
The fans were utterly immense, such noise some of the best I’ve heard in 42 years following this wonderful club and the players really stepped up when it counted so that the positive feedback loop was maintained.
Almost an out of body experience when the 2nd goal went in and hugging all the strangers around us, people we’ve sat next to all season with the same ST seats and still don’t know their names.
My 15yo son, on the nearly 3-hour drive home, who’s usually a bit meh and witnessed some horrible scorelines this season even asked if we could get season tickets again! Said it was the best game and noise ever.
Arise Sir Gary and you absolute beauty of a team you played your hearts out - every one of you - what a time to be an Oxford fan.
Let’s finish the greatest 12 months in a generation and get the stadium over the line.

Also we can get some respite, peace and quiet now that Kip will go into hibernation and hide in a dark room; at least for 4 months anyway.

Well done all on this wonderful wonderful day. Enjoy the beers/wine/fruit juice I’m off to celebrate.

 

[JayOx88]

What a superb performance, when Luton nicked it in injury time through Shandon you start to think everything's going to go against you, but the players were on it from the first whistle - aggressive, but in a controlled way.

Everyone was brilliant today, but particular mentions to:
- Nelson: just oozes class.
- Long: the man just never lets us down, he's a warrior and his positioning was superb today.
- RR: One of his best performances for us, imo. On the ball he was dangerous, but most importantly he was so aggressive in his press and disrupted Sunderland's rhythm.
- Harris: Thought he battled so well and actually had a few moments of holding the ball and linking play really well. A much better performance than we've seen in recent weeks, I suspect helped massively by having RR behind him.
- And finally, the crowd: one of the best atmospheres for a league game at the wind tunnel. The positivity was abundant from the start, and the constant noise no doubt helped the players to not get jittery.

It feels so good to know we're a Championship club again next year and, despite the ups and downs, it has been such a fun season - give me the anticipation of a trip to Southampton versus a trip to Stevenage any day of the week.

 

[Maurice Earp]

No words!

Don't know about "no words" I was actually asking myself if I could go through the stress and strain of the last 4 - 5 home games where I had been feeling "very anxious" until we went 2 - 0 up today. I thought that the the referee did not favour us at all which added to my very anxious feeling. Was very pleased when the final whistle blew and we got the result that we deserved as I thought Sunderland were poor and were gifted decisions by the referee. Spoke to several Sunderland fans on my way home and they all were full of praise for our showing today.

 

[bert]

[QUOTE="Made-in-Jericho, post: 1004201, member: 569"

Also we can get some respite, peace and quiet now that Kip will go into hibernation and hide in a dark room; at least for 4 months anyway.

Well done all on this wonderful wonderful day. Enjoy the beers/wine/fruit juice I’m off to celebrate.
[/QUOTE]

Just remember, at the end of the day, @greatunclekip is one of us and we should all celebrate together.

 

[greatunclekip]

Just got home and what an absolute joy of a day.
The fans were utterly immense, such noise some of the best I’ve heard in 42 years following this wonderful club and the players really stepped up when it counted so that the positive feedback loop was maintained.
Almost an out of body experience when the 2nd goal went in and hugging all the strangers around us, people we’ve sat next to all season with the same ST seats and still don’t know their names.
My 15yo son, on the nearly 3-hour drive home, who’s usually a bit meh and witnessed some horrible scorelines this season even asked if we could get season tickets again! Said it was the best game and noise ever.
Arise Sir Gary and you absolute beauty of a team you played your hearts out - every one of you - what a time to be an Oxford fan.
Let’s finish the greatest 12 months in a generation and get the stadium over the line.

Also we can get some respite, peace and quiet now that Kip will go into hibernation and hide in a dark room; at least for 4 months anyway.

Well done all on this wonderful wonderful day. Enjoy the beers/wine/fruit juice I’m off to celebrate.

I’m really not sure why I’m being called out here? I can assure you I am certainly celebrating as hard as anyone tonight at our survival, copious amounts of Bitter have been imbibed, and numerous hot wings and popcorn chicken pieces will be consumed!

 

[christenedinjericho]

For you all who moaned about the Cardiff draw, it’s a 46 game season. And a very valuable point as it turns out.
Yellows

And as predicted it took over 50 pts to secure our status. Hello.

 

[ljs]

Cardiff are relegated and Plymouth are effectively relegated on GD even if they win at home against Leeds to get to 49 points.

If we only had those 51 points (minus the Cambran goal) and then lost to Swansea on the last day then the following teams could have overtaken us to send us down:
Hull..win at Fart-on Park and move to 51 points with a much better GD than us.
Luton..win at WBA to move to 52 points.
Preston..win away at Bristol City and move to 52 points..overtaking OUFC.
Derby.. win at home to Stoke and overtake our 51..their GD is also superior.
Stoke..win at Derby and they go to 53 points.. a draw might even put them above us if the scores went against us on the last day.

It's been a long day m8 but you say "so at least three teams can't get to 51"

Even discounting Stoke and Derby because they play each other surely Hull, Luton and Preston could top 51 points? Hull can, Luton can and Preston can?

It doesn't matter who can, it's who can't.

Plymouth can't.
Cardiff can't.
As Derby play Stoke, whatever the result they both can't get to 51.