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

[Paul Cannell]

Quite an achievement for a team like Oxford.

 

[holdsteady]

While it may not be the official county town it is the biggest and BBC Wiltshire is based in Swindon.

Everyone seems to be missing the point, BBC Oxford and BBC Northampton. Nothing in both of those station names says they just cover the county named after the city.

I would say that there is something in both those names that says that? Certainly more than covering a different town in a different county.

 

[Chris on a Bike]

But you feeling uneasy and uncomfortable was entirely misplaced, because the players who brought their children onto the pitch before the game performed like warriors during the game. Not a single player went missing or appeared distracted. In fact, it's more likely that they were inspired to put in a performance for their loved ones.

Yeah, you know that NOW.

If it's a dead rubber game then fine, mess about as much as you like but not before a crucial relegation decider

 

[Jonny G]

Why’s that then?

Pretty certain he meant Kip. I think he was replying to your conversation with Kip. Could be wrong, but that's how I read it.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

We win a game that means we stay up and instead of celebrating the occasion we have people arguing about the players bringing their kids onto the pitch before the game

Players have had mascots walk out with them for years, I think players would prefer walking out with their own child rather than someone else’s before a game.

 

[Scotchegg]

Yeah, you know that NOW.

If it's a dead rubber game then fine, mess about as much as you like but not before a crucial relegation decider

I'm clearly missing something, but what part of "messing about" do you think happened before the game?

The pre-match routine was EXACTLY the same as every other game. The preparation, warm-up, team talk, everything. The one difference was that rather than having 11 "random" children lined up in the tunnel to come out with the players, you had the players wives and girlfriends waiting with their kids to be handed across in the seconds between leaving the changing room and entering the pitch. Immediately after, the children went back to their parents and the game began EXACTLY the same as it always does.

The same thing happened in dozens of games across the country this weekend and will happen at many more next weekend. It's happened across several seasons too.

I genuinely find it weird that this is even being mentioned as a thing, other than those who acknowledged that it was a nice touch and a good thing.

 

[ECYellow]

Saturday was single handedly the best atmosphere the Kassam has ever seen. It was better than the derbies we have had, imo.

Our players were immense. To a man, they all played their part, but i thought Nelson and Helik were incredibly good. Long and Leigh were solid. Will Vaulkes had another game that showed how he has grown into an integral member of the team.

Rodrigues was not one that i would have started, but he was soo good. A joy to watch when he is able to get on the ball and draw fouls like he did.

Overall, i would suggest that the achievements of this season eclipse that memorable day at Wembley last year. To be consistent enough over 45 games to retain our Championship status is no fluke or one off. It's the culmination of bloody hard graft and special moments over a 9 month period.

That atmosphere needs to be at every game next season and if it is, i don't think there is a limit on what can be achieved under Rowett.

Roll on a p1ss up at Swansea.

 

[dickwalton1964]

We win a game that means we stay up and instead of celebrating the occasion we have people arguing about the players bringing their kids onto the pitch before the game

Players have had mascots walk out with them for years, I think players would prefer walking out with their own child rather than someone else’s before a game.

It's worked this time against a team who clearly had one eye on the future. If that's Luton, instead of Sunderland, in a six pointer of all six pointers when fine margins mean absolutely everything then I'm not wanting to see an already out of form Tyler and a misfiring Placheta wandering out with their babies before going into battle. Totally focussed, no distractions, would be my way. If I'm honest, I don't really see the point of it coming out of the tunnel and doing the pre match handshake - what's the player getting out of it ? I suppose the wife/partner gets a nice photo for the mantlepiece but what else ?

Doing it post match waving to the crowd, lapping up all the cheering, running around on the pitch, doing whatever they like then that's great for the player, the partners, the kids, the babies, the mums, dads, grans, whoever you want there. There's a time and place for everything - just my opinion.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

It's worked this time against a team who clearly had one eye on the future. If that's Luton, instead of Sunderland, in a six pointer of all six pointers when fine margins mean absolutely everything then I'm not wanting to see an already out of form Tyler and a misfiring Placheta wandering out with their babies before going into battle. Totally focussed, no distractions, would be my way. If I'm honest, I don't really see the point of it coming out of the tunnel and doing the pre match handshake - what's the player getting out of it ? I suppose the wife/partner gets a nice photo for the mantlepiece but what else ?

Doing it post match waving to the crowd, lapping up all the cheering, running around on the pitch, doing whatever they like then that's great for the player, the partners, the kids, the babies, the mums, dads, grans, whoever you want there. There's a time and place for everything - just my opinion.

What’s the difference between them walking out with their own child rather than someone else’s? Something they literally do every home game!

 

[holdsteady]

What’s the difference between them walking out with their own child rather than someone else’s? Something they literally do every home game!

Quite a lot in a court of law.

 

[BrockBuster]

Ok, so how does promoting Brackley help OUFC?

You've (correctly) suggested that people in North Oxon and Brackley supporting OUFC is good.

But then (incorrectly) conflated this with BBC Radio Oxford promoting Brackley...

I'm not sure it has to help OUFC? Radio Oxford's remit is for the people of Oxfordshire, not the football club.

Our games sell out pretty often these days, so why shouldn't it be promoting a local professional football club as an alternative option to its listeners? Longer term, the better Brackley do, the more interest in football within the county increases the number of football followers/fans and subsequently may improve player pathways for young players.

When I was a kid coming through, it was really either Oxford or Reading being your 'local' options with extremely limited opportunities at those youth teams.

Add another professional club to the pot in Brackley and who knows, could be a young player ends up on our books that would otherwise not had a development opportunity. It's a stretch don't get me wrong, but more publicised high quality football in the region for me is a good thing.

 

[Osei Yaw]

You can't punch a man wearing glasses. Nor can you punch a man carrying a baby. So really, if we want to take the aggression out of the opposition before kick off then it's one or the other.

You can't wear glasses to play football and so carrying a baby is the only option.

And it worked perfectly as Sunderland didn't lay a glove on us.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

But the centre of Oxford is not necessarily the centre of Oxfordshire. If you’re basing it on Oxford centre then going east is only about 10-12 miles - places like Brill, Oakley, Worminghall etc are Bucks. Go west and the Gloucestershire border is around Northleach, that’s got to be 30 miles from Oxford. The far north (other side of Banbury) I’d say might be even further.

The main point I’m making is Brackley has never been in Oxfordshire.Who will they cover next Supermarine in Wiltshire?
It’s an utter nonsense that we cover them
Just stop

 

[Big Ron]

It's worked this time against a team who clearly had one eye on the future. If that's Luton, instead of Sunderland, in a six pointer of all six pointers when fine margins mean absolutely everything then I'm not wanting to see an already out of form Tyler and a misfiring Placheta wandering out with their babies before going into battle. Totally focussed, no distractions, would be my way. If I'm honest, I don't really see the point of it coming out of the tunnel and doing the pre match handshake - what's the player getting out of it ? I suppose the wife/partner gets a nice photo for the mantlepiece but what else ?

Doing it post match waving to the crowd, lapping up all the cheering, running around on the pitch, doing whatever they like then that's great for the player, the partners, the kids, the babies, the mums, dads, grans, whoever you want there. There's a time and place for everything - just my opinion.

All ifs and buts and I might respond differently in different circumstances but the fact is, we won 2-0 and Tyler enjoyed his most effective game for a long time, while Shemmy was his usual chaotic, inconsistent self! I can't imagine that Rowett has made this a regular part of his pre-match preparation but it does seem odd harping on about something already forgotten by most. Just my opinion of course.

 

[holdsteady]

I'm not sure it has to help OUFC? Radio Oxford's remit is for the people of Oxfordshire, not the football club.

Our games sell out pretty often these days, so why shouldn't it be promoting a local professional football club as an alternative option to its listeners? Longer term, the better Brackley do, the more interest in football within the county increases the number of football followers/fans and subsequently may improve player pathways for young players.

When I was a kid coming through, it was really either Oxford or Reading being your 'local' options with extremely limited opportunities at those youth teams.

Add another professional club to the pot in Brackley and who knows, could be a young player ends up on our books that would otherwise not had a development opportunity. It's a stretch don't get me wrong, but more publicised high quality football in the region for me is a good thing.

So why cover Brackley Towns games then? Give more coverage to an Oxfordshire non league side.

 

[werthersoriginal]

So why cover Brackley Towns games then? Give more coverage to an Oxfordshire non league side.

I imagine they cover Brackley by agreement with Radio Northampton or whatever, probably to do with broadcast coverage or tradition

 

[Scotchegg]

I personally think that Radio Oxford do a fantastic job of covering "local" games and don't mind hearing about Brackley, especially if we have some youth or former players there.

I get the points about cutting off from post-game chat following a lunchtime kickoff to go live to a different game, but presumably there are contract agreements to always offer a 3pm game.
We get the vast majority of coverage with match days and other content, and it's seems a little churlish to begrudge another club a few minutes here and there because they sit a couple of miles the other side of a county border.

 

[greatunclekip]

You do know really and must have been expecting it - I’m sure you’re celebrating but even during the first half you found time to post something negative. You weren’t just worrying we would go down, you had publicly written us off on numerous occasions with a real air of finality, talking about going to Doncaster and other League One and Two teams and how it was so ‘avoidable’. I appreciate there is a certain level of trolling but as I’ve said elsewhere, thankfully you’re a poor judge of football.

I was pretty sure we were. I’m delighted I was wrong.

 

[Scotchegg]

I’m delighted I was wrong.

You must be getting used to that by now!

 

[PottersRightBoot]

I suggest the blocking option for this chap.

Why’s that then?

He’s a troll.

 

[holdsteady]

I imagine they cover Brackley by agreement with Radio Northampton or whatever, probably to do with broadcast coverage or tradition

Is Northants so chock full of sports teams that they can’t cover one more?

 

[Ewes]

You can't wear glasses to play football

Wrong.

 

[BrockBuster]

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

What’s the difference between them walking out with their own child rather than someone else’s? Something they literally do every home game!

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them carrying someone else’s baby out but I could be wrong!

 

[Steve Gilbert]

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them carrying someone else’s baby out but I could be wrong!

Has happened a few times this season as well as in other years.

 

[Big Ron]

He’s a troll.

I see your point Tim and I appreciate it's probably best ignored!

 

[OUFCGav]

Thinking of the kids coming out after the game - how many kids has Josh McEachran got? It looked like that might be the reason for him running out of energy in games...

 

[Eric Blair]

Saturday was single handedly the best atmosphere the Kassam has ever seen. It was better than the derbies we have had, imo.

Our players were immense. To a man, they all played their part, but i thought Nelson and Helik were incredibly good. Long and Leigh were solid. Will Vaulkes had another game that showed how he has grown into an integral member of the team.

Rodrigues was not one that i would have started, but he was soo good. A joy to watch when he is able to get on the ball and draw fouls like he did.

Overall, i would suggest that the achievements of this season eclipse that memorable day at Wembley last year. To be consistent enough over 45 games to retain our Championship status is no fluke or one off. It's the culmination of bloody hard graft and special moments over a 9 month period.

That atmosphere needs to be at every game next season and if it is, i don't think there is a limit on what can be achieved under Rowett.

Roll on a p1ss up at Swansea.

Yeah yeah yeah but do you think Radio Oxford should cover Brackley games?

 

[Eric Blair]

Thinking of the kids coming out after the game - how many kids has Josh McEachran got? It looked like that might be the reason for him running out of energy in games...

I've got to admit that thought crossed my mind, Was it five or six?

On a separate note, more than any other player I notice that Josh always has a chat to the stewards and various people milling about. He's clearly a very likeable guy. No Greg Leigh but close.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I've got to admit that thought crossed my mind, Was it five or six?

On a separate note, more than any other player I notice that Josh always has a chat to the stewards and various people milling about. He's clearly a very likeable guy. No Greg Leigh but close.

There were six. We speculated that some might be his brother's - at least one had 'Uncle' on his shirt.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Remarkable chutzpah from a supporter of a club that, as recently as 2011, were playing L1 matches against Hartlepool, Rochdale and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Southampton aren't even a big club at this level FFS.

Just another in a long list of kids who, having seen their side play some Premier League football at some point, has lost all sense of reality and of their own (modest) club's standing in English football.