Pre-Season 26/07/2025 Oxford United v Bristol Rovers

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[Osleroad]

No-one is arguing about where we came up short last season but can't see the point of keeping on about it when we are still in the Champ, changed manager for the better and are being realistic in our aspirations/targets.

 

[Jster]

What's this talk of Helik and injury - did something happen in the match yesterday?

 

[RgYellows]

Bristol Rovers were incredibly generous to start with such a high line and we were able to pick it apart a couple of times.

Once they tightened that up, we struggled to dominate the game and create much despite being better on the ball and stronger/faster. No clear plan of how to break them down and no real cohesion or coordination to close them down, just tried to rely on Dembele, Tyler etc to beat their men. Hinted at familiar issues of not being able to get the ball to stick amongst our front four for long enough to build real pressure.

Probably best to comment on the individual performances I noted:

Regardless of everything that Harris brings to the table off the ball, he has to make sure those chances go in when it matters. Visibly frustrated that others weren’t joining a press in the second half. Im quite excited to see how much Prelec can offer to our hold up play.

Placheta a good outlet with pace against their high line but needs to keep his cool and should have done better with his chance. Definitely felt hamstring and pulled up at end of first half.

Dembele good on the ball but pulled out of challenges/closing people down early a couple of times and can’t see that when it matters.

BDK as advertised. Combination of intensity, being good on the ball and looking to get a shot away that raises the level on what he had.

Campbell played with a lot of aggression and wanted that contract. Not bad on the ball or picking a pass, I’d be ok with him joining in this performance.

Other Harris didn’t look out of place, snapped into a couple of tackles and picked a couple of passes. May have wanted to see a little more against L2 opposition but early days.

Currie I thought got caught out a couple of times first half with a winger being played in behind him. In one he made an impressive recovery to brush his man off the ball, but will have to do that against Championship players soon.

Spencer an eye catching challenge soon after coming on. I liked him. Could be an upgrade on what we have.

I didn’t notice any injury to Helik.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

Helik felt something in the first half - maybe a hamstring and went off at HT.

Afterwards Rowett’s Assistant - Mark Sale - said it wasn’t serious.

Placheta injured a hamstring early last season and it’s a worry if he has sustained similar damage again.

 

[Eric Blair]

Ahhhh, how did young Josh do? Did he get a friendly reception. As someone said before he’ll be like Modric in that division

 

[outsidethebox]

No, I know that I mean was the whole debacle covered at all on the show? Particularly Colon Middlefinger's flying off the handles?

No, it wasn't mentioned. I suspect the DUB will refer to it next week but will tread carefully when doing so.

 

[yellowbow]

To be fair to Luke Harris, he did say he hasn’t had many competitive minutes so far this summer so its understandable that he faded a bit after a bright start.

 

[MiddleBartonYellow]

Helik hooked the ball out for a throw in and tweaked his hamstring. Rowett shouted over to him and he said that he was all right. We would be in serious bother if we lost him.

 

[Chris on a Bike]

O'Donkor showed some promise, I'd certainly start him over M Harris.

Your whole post was as miserable as sin but the last sentence made me laugh until I was sick!

 

[vandelay]

Your whole post was as miserable as sin but the last sentence made me laugh until I was sick!

As was the game though. Were you there? It comes from a place of genuine concern. I appreciate it was “only a friendly” but I didn’t see much to allay my fears. At least G O’D got involved and had a physical presence, Sparky was anonymous for most of the game.

 

[sox]

Normal preseason fare. Currie, BDK, Brodie looked a step up on what’s gone before, L Harris more to come hopefully. Pitch looked like it had been nipped in a good few yards - I guess Vaulks must have marked it out

 

[Northstandboy]

Helik hooked the ball out for a throw in and tweaked his hamstring. Rowett shouted over to him and he said that he was all right. We would be in serious bother if we lost him.

He’s fine, I saw him out and about today and was walking fine.

 

[Jeoh]

Just left The Blenheim after 3 pints of Titanac ales .
I no longer have that sinking feeling.
Bring on Aug 9th

Believe I may have been there for at least two of those pints (and a pork pie). Onwards to Pompey! Let's hope for a similar to result as the opening game last season.

 

[Whingit]

Normal preseason fare. Currie, BDK, Brodie looked a step up on what’s gone before, L Harris more to come hopefully. Pitch looked like it had been nipped in a good few yards - I guess Vaulks must have marked it out

That's interesting, would have thought GR would have wanted width at home. I do like a 4-4-2 diamond so I'm hoping we'll see that at some point rather than a back 3 with wingbacks if we do change up the formation.

 

[uptheus]

What’s wrong with ter Avest and Philips. And do we know the status of Vaulks and Brown etc?

 

[Jster]

Not sure about Phillips, but Rowett indicated that Brown could be ready for the final preseason game, and ter Avest and Vaulks "sooner than that".

 

[m]

He’s fine, I saw him out and about today and was walking fine.

Friend of the stars.

 

[Eric Blair]

That's interesting, would have thought GR would have wanted width at home. I do like a 4-4-2 diamond so I'm hoping we'll see that at some point rather than a back 3 with wingbacks if we do change up the formation.

A 4-4-2 diamond?

I’ve just had the mid-1990s on the phone and it would like its formation back.

 

[Oxfordpete]

But remember to buy before match day to get ST rate, my son bought a ticket for today at the ticket office but had to pay full price despite being an ST holder

I was told, by the ticket office lady, that if you tell the ticket office on the day that you are a ST holder they would honour the discounted price

 

[tonyw]

That was their U21s side. Their first team played against Port Vale (and won 2-0).

I'm I the only one on this thread who's now feeling a bit sorry for Sam Hoskins?

Cheers mate for ten years of dedicated service - we've arranged a testimonial for you. Against Birmingham's U21 side!

Attendance was apparently 2,548

 

[Emilio]

I'm I the only one on this thread who's now feeling a bit sorry for Sam Hoskins?

Cheers mate for ten years of dedicated service - we've arranged a testimonial for you. Against Birmingham's U21 side!

Attendance was apparently 2,548

Yeah, that's got to suck so bad. For a testimonial, you'd at least hope an opponent of significance (either local rival or top flight side), not the U21 side of a club who were in the same league as you last term.

 

[BTCW]

Not sure about Phillips, but Rowett indicated that Brown could be ready for the final preseason game, and ter Avest and Vaulks "sooner than that".

Where’s this?!

 

[Jster]

It's in an OM article. Didn't want to link it. (From 25 July, headline about Romeny missing start of season.)

 

[Chris1963]

Attendance was apparently 2,548

Thanks for that information but I'm baffled as to why it wasn't included in the match report on the official site.

 

[tonyw]

Thanks for that information but I'm baffled as to why it wasn't included in the match report on the official site.

Oh that was the Sam Hoskins testimonial attendance.

I have no idea how many turned up to the Rovers game.......which is a shame because I was curious to see if it would be the lowest Kasstad attendance ever......