Home Match Day Thread 28/02/2026 - MDT: Oxford United v West Bromwich Albion

[SteMerritt]

 

[battman]

Not taking away from what was a vital win yesterday but WBA were one of the poorest sides I have seen at Kastad for a couple of seasons.
We did what we needed to do and secured the 3 points with hard work and determination.
Will that alone save us? Hmm!
I guess that is about all we can hope for - that every player on that pitch gives us all they have. Yesterday showed that they can scrap for it but there isn’t much time before they have to do it all again.
If we can somehow find a way to win on Friday, we will put massive pressure on those other teams down there.

I think yesterday was about us getting the result by any means necessary rather than being convincing in the win - and both goals came from set pieces so we haven't scored in open play at home for a while, but I'll definitely take that if it means all three points.

It does feel now that we're settling on a consistent system and style under Bloomfield, and this win hopefully gives the players more confidence to really kick on, without the worry of having to learn a new formation - they just need to focus on their individual roles.

I think Konak having his best game so far is the tonic we needed after the BDK blow, and with Donley coming back in and McDonnell maybe ready for Preston, we're looking stronger in the middle than we did even a few days ago.

 

[JayOx88]

I think Bloomfield suggested that might even be as soon as Friday.

Hadn't realised that, thought he was out for longer so that's huge if true - a midfield 3 of McDonnell, Konak and Brannagan suddenly has us looking much more solid in the middle of the park.

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

Ok. I’ll break it up by dig. As a summary, I found 47 criticisms and three bits of positivity, although two of the bits of positivity were used to set up a criticism.


Dig at our style of play.

Dig at our recruitment team, manager. Players and fans.

Dig at our fans II.

Dig at our players II

Did at our players III


Dig at our players and, bizarrely, the result for not being 3-0 and a complete capitulation?



Dig at the performance.

More positivity.


A dig at the players with a nice call back to a past dig.

Managed to get a dig at the player you were wishing MPH would imitate.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at players.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at players.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at players.

Dig at fans.

I FOUND THE POSITIVITY.

Dig at life.

Dig at fans.

Dig at players

Dig at transfer policy.

Dig at players

Dig at tactics.

Dig at players

Dig at tactics

Dig at fans.

Dig at players

You used some positivity hear to get in a dig. Trick shot.

Dig at manager.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at performance.

Dig at performance.

Dig at tactics.

Dig at performance.

Dig at performance

Dig at performance

Dig at performance

Dig at manager

Dig at result.

Dig at performance

Dig at tactics - bonus points because you did this in the ground when you were only being positive.

Dig at tactics

Dig at fans

Used a positive to dig the performance again.

Dig at result.

My wife in an argument when I ask her for examples for when I’ve EVER done that thing she’s accusing me of

 

[NorthWestOx]

Not taking away from what was a vital win yesterday but WBA were one of the poorest sides I have seen at Kastad for a couple of seasons.

They were, and hopefully they continue like that to the end of the season, then we only have to finish above one other club.

 

[Essexyellows]

WBA & Leicester fans are unleashing untold venom on their respective teams.

Despite everything we aren`t and are doing the proper "backing the underdog" thing.

That`ll be worth points at the end........... every game is a cup final and we can do it.

 

[Left Wing Cross]

"Spurs' Will Lankshear"

 

[bazzer9461]

Emakhu plays and has no control of his legs or the ball. When he ran through it was as though he was playing with a beach ball!

Is he already our player? If so, we have another dud!

Sorry but Emakhu has improved seeing him get past his man to the byline and get a cross in is 100% more than what Dembele ever did

 

[bazzer9461]

Yeah, and Sam Deering’s performances went off a cliff!

There are reasons that people work colleagues can be late to work, so I hope he was able to give his reason, plus I also hope that players are told beforehand about the rules/consequences etc.

I’m sure they were told about the rules for match day and other training days

 

[Yellowecky]

That was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in a masochistic sort of way. Understood the tactics, unlucky to concede, but constantly on edge in case they equalised. (We deserved the win.) Tremendous fighting performance from the players. Getting to like Bloomfield for his directness and openness. Four points from the next two games keeps us competitive.

Pedants' Corner: The first five digits of the 50/50 winning number were exactly the same as the attendance! (Dear Norris, is this a record?)

((I’ll get my coat.))

 

[NottsYellow]

Watching Droylsden v Cockfosters in the FA Vase QF this afternoon. Will be keeping a nervous eye on events at the Kassam but will be nice to watch a game stress-free. COYY.

Ah Droylsden - Did you have to mention that team, it gives me nightmares! ......however it is very apt to bring that team up at the moment, just to bring one or two moaners down to earth. Especially those people younger than 25 that have only experienced promotions.
19 years ago we lost 3-1 at Droylsden and it was live on Setanta Sports, for the whole nation to experience our embarrassment.
We have come a long way in 19 years, some people need to appreciate that, and there are ups and downs in supporting football teams.

 

[Teacher]

Positives:

3 points - vital
Currie - Fabulous after being so poor on Weds
Helik - Not played that well in a long time
Long - Superb
Konak- Supremely underrated value yesterday
Lanky - Brilliant
Prelec - Magic at what he does. The more fans see him the easier it is to understand why some have valued him all year.
HTA - What an intelligent footballer. Dubious of him playing RW but actually worked!

Negatives/disappointments:

Browns distribution - marvellous defender but needs to give himself another second on the ball

Donley - Genuinely nothing special imo. Let’s be honest Mills has made that goal, it’s a difficult header, but you could say good area. Ran out of legs long before he came off. That being said, still early days and I’m hopeful.

Emakhu - The odd good ball or good run does not make up for his lack of awareness, reading of the game or endeavours. He may be a fabulous player for us with development and coaching but not during a dog fight please. Use sparingly, not just because we spent the best part of a million.

The general quality of play - You feel it will have to be better in the big games ahead….but maybe not by loads!

Fans were brilliant yesterday, particularly first half! We have to build on that atmosphere!

 

[Jason N]

Not sure if anyone's mentioned it yet, but I still can't figure out how Brown pulled off that clearance in the first half. West Brom whipped in a brilliant ball from the left, and two of their forwards were lining up to turn it into an empty net, yet somehow Brown got his leg in between them to hook it away. Maybe it was just my view from the Northstand but looked a certain goal to me. I'd love to see a replay of it.

 

[Rach]

Having just read the entire thread, I can't believe nobody has mentioned how refreshing it was to have a fair ref for once.

The whole team played well - I can't really find much criticism (and yes, I was at the same match as everyone else). Cumming had a couple of kicks that didn't quite go in the direction he probably intended, and Cam's foot was very helpful for WBA, but there were some quality performances. My MoM was Konak, but Sam Long a close second. Loved Currie's warmth towards the WBA fans at the end

 

[uptheus]

I’m sure they were told about the rules for match day and other training days

Have you ever been stuck on the A34 when there’s been an unexpected accident!! And there’s no pre-planning that can avoid being late!

Not saying this was the case with Makosso, but just hope reason and logic took place, especially for unforeseen circumstances.

 

[holdsteady]

I have no sympathy, live by if you are not early you are late, never been late for anything in my life. Although the missus says I am a psychopath about it so maybe I am not the best example.

 

[bazzer9461]

Have you ever been stuck on the A34 when there’s been an unexpected accident!! And there’s no pre-planning that can avoid being late!

Not saying this was the case with Makosso, but just hope reason and logic took place, especially for unforeseen circumstances.

Tiles are rules though, if he was late because of an unexpected traffic accident I’m sure he has hands free mobile on the car and would have called ahead where MB might say thanks for letting us know, but to me he was late by 2 mins that must have been a bad accident as I’m sure he must have left it late to leave from wherever he is residing .
I’ll give you an example of what my wife and I do, we’re going on holiday abroad no matter what time the flight is we’re there around 6 hours before the reason how many times have you seen on the tv programmes people missing their flight because they closed check in, I would rather be early relax have something to eat and go through to departure as soon as I can. Long winded I know and not remotely the same but make an effort to make sure you’ll be there ready!

 

[Sarge]

Radom thoughts the day after the game

High points
We WON

Konak, Currie, Helik, Long & Lanks were immense
As was Prelec off the bench

A fairly consistent referee - refreshing change

No ( or barely any) 'long ' throws

better atmosphere

Varying set piece/ dead ball deliveries instead of just CB taking all of them

Scoring two goals (at home)
and from set pieces- with headers

Winning at home

Concerns

we still sit back too deep for too much of the game, inviting the opposition to attack in waves, time after time


we are still 'too nice'

still shot shy- shoot on sight


main thing is it was a win, at home, 'only' 18 (or more) points to win from 33 up for grabs
Lets go to Preston and win on Friday night, point hugging , for me, is not an option- not unless we're a goal down, in time added. Then and only then, will I considered taking a point

 

[Osleroad]

I have no sympathy, live by if you are not early you are late, never been late for anything in my life. Although the missus says I am a psychopath about it so maybe I am not the best example.

I was in education and am always very early for things-never late.

 

[dickwalton1964]

Well read my posts where I say I’m happy with the win, but am voicing my concern about the poor performance and style of play.

And if by saying that I didn’t like our style of play means that disrupts a siege mentality to give us the best change to escape relegation, then god help us.

I think you find it’s the recruitment team, manager, players and crowd/fans during the game that will cost us. By the way, I support the team and management probably more than you’ll ever know during the game e.g. I don’t sing shite songs like ‘how s**t must you be were winning away’ chants, in fact I have a go at those that sing that or those that were having a go at Rowett away to Charlton etc. So don’t place that bollox at my door.

Anyway, not commenting anymore on this, just looking forward to us getting a result at PNE and then hopefully another big game/result against Blackburn at home.

I don’t want to use the word delusional, because you have an opinion and like anyone’s else’s that has to respected, but how many teams have you seen this season where if we choose to take the game to them we aren’t going to get picked off ? I’m struggling to think of any. Take the QPR home fixture - on paper a run of the mill home game against moderate opposition but they were on another level technically ! If we turn that into a basketball style match we get totally opened up and beat. We had to dig in, match them for endeavour and hope for a moment in the game which very nearly arrived via Stan Mills.We are where we are as a club and a team - not in a position to recruit to the level of others and what we do have is probably among the weakest in this league. Quite simply, we need to find ways of picking up points that won’t leave us as sitting ducks for even bottom half Championship sides - we did that very successfully yesterday.

 

[Chris on a Bike]

By the way, I support the team and management probably more than you’ll ever know during the game e.g. I don’t sing shite songs like ‘how s**t must you be were winning away’ chants, in fact I have a go at those that sing that or those that were having a go at Rowett away to Charlton etc. So don’t place that bollox at my door.

With you absolutely 100% on this

 

[tonyw]

The biggest positive for me (other than the win) yesterday was the state of West Brom.

Last season we struggled at times, but there was always hope because Cardiff, Plymouth and Luton were all dreadful (so were a couple of others like Derby and Hull); it was not unreasonable to think that we were better than them.

But this season, other than Wednesday, there haven't been too many opponents that I've watched and thought 'Yeah - we're better than this lot, and we'll finish ahead of them over the course of a season'. Even Leicester.....though they were a bit of a shower.....clearly have bags of talent. The equalizer they scored at the Kasstad was absolute quality.

But step up WBA - they were awful. We granted them bags of possession, but they seemed to have no clue what to do with it. Careless passing, woeful final ball and poor set piece defending. Plus, their next five games? Not friendly......three home games against playoff-chasing sides and tricky tips to Bristol City and Sheffield United (who would be a playoff-chasing side if they'd just kept Wilder). There is a massive chance now to be ahead of them by the end of the month.

BIG two weeks......I kind of view Preston as a 'nice-to-have' result, but the week after will be season-defining. Two home games in four days against Blackburn and Charlton (two of the other sides that might be on the 'worse than us' list). 6+ points from those three games - which is not an outrageous ask - and I think we'll stay up.

 

[Followtheox1]

If Makosso feels aggrieved about Bloomfield's comments then he only has himself to blame. Bloomfield has made mistakes but calling out poor standards is not one of them.

I agree. However, the issue will always be consistency. It is easier to call out a young loanee for being a couple minutes late when you have an experienced Championship replacement who has played most of the season to step right in. However, if it was Brannagan etc would he do the same or if Lankshear for example was the only fit striker and he was a minute or two late. So I have no issue with him having such high standards, I just think you run the danger of making a rod for your own back in terms of consistency....

 

[Matt W]

Well read my posts where I say I’m happy with the win, but am voicing my concern about the poor performance and style of play.

And if by saying that I didn’t like our style of play means that disrupts a siege mentality to give us the best change to escape relegation, then god help us.

I think you find it’s the recruitment team, manager, players and crowd/fans during the game that will cost us. By the way, I support the team and management probably more than you’ll ever know during the game e.g. I don’t sing shite songs like ‘how s**t must you be were winning away’ chants, in fact I have a go at those that sing that or those that were having a go at Rowett away to Charlton etc. So don’t place that bollox at my door.

Anyway, not commenting anymore on this, just looking forward to us getting a result at PNE and then hopefully another big game/result against Blackburn at home.

We are in crisis mode, in that we are battling for each point available and desperate to stay up.

I'm willing to suffer some bloody awful performances to stay up. That to me was obvious after about 15 mins this was going to be a battle, and that is what we got.

If we'd begun playing expansive football and lost to a relegation rival what would people be saying then?

I don't know what Matt Bloomfield's style of play is/will be once we begin new season, so I'm reserving judgement until, but given our circumstances at the moment, let's stay up and worry about how it looks on the pitch until next season.

The players get my support unless I'm speaking to myself or my next to me about how much I loathe Jamie Cumming's distribution, or Dembele running into dark alleys blindly, or Romeny strolling around. I would never shout any of these opinions towards a player

 

[jaybeachjump]

I'm afraid I agree with @uptheus.
I don't think he is being overly negative. The problem is that to stay up we will need to find a playing style that reliably delivers points. We haven't found that style - yet.
Yesterday was Rowettball, and it worked very well. We restricted them to a couple of half chances and their only goal was a massive fluke. We stuck a couple of brilliant set piece balls into the box and timed our runs very well to finish them.
That aside I saw plenty of effort and organisation, but close to zero attacking patterns that might produce future chances and goals. The players don't appear to know how to find each other. We don't look to overload. We don't play off our striker. We don't break the lines. We don't move and we rarely pass.
I have huge reserves of positive spirit, and I celebrated like crazy at the final whistle, but the performance was sterile and lacking in dynamism.
There are a couple of things keeping me from thinking we're already down.
First, Donley will get better. We'll get better at finding him in space and he'll get better at playing the balls we've missed without BDK.
Second, we now have attacking options, which gives MB the chance to quickly replace underperformers, eg MPH yesterday. These players aren't going to be consistently good enough, otherwise they'd be at a higher level. Having attack options for the first time this season gives us flexibility.
Third, winning creates a winning mindset. We've struggled all season to follow up wins with wins but I hope that with games fast running out the players will finally collect the right mix of confidence and urgency to build a run. Heaven knows we need it.
COYYs.

 

[Oldman159]

FWIW…..

A very stressful afternoon, (head in hands for much of the second half) for sure. But….

A win at last. Scrappy game between two BotT teams desperate for the points. For our part there were some really good committed performances and they stuck at it. Lanks my MotM worked so hard and was knackered by the time he was subbed. His celebration (and post match interview) was something else. A loanee though. Can we even dream he love the club that has given him his chance so much he stays next season? One can but hope….Sign him and Jamie permanently and maybe we could take 5k to the Lane next season… (currently watching my ‘B’team and inconsistent VAR refereeing has them behind at the cottage and, sadly, they look pretty much relegation fodder)

Just a thought - good job the baggies were worse than us at taking chances…..

Sad to hear the baggies fans booing individual players yesterday .

 

[holdsteady]

Without knowing all the background details it’s a hard one to judge. Maybe a few players have been taking the p**s and it’s becoming a problem? The whole squad on a warning and he happened to be the one who was the first after that warning to mess up?

Hopefully this will send a message and players will actually do what any sensible person with a very well paid job with not particularly onerous hours would do, aim to turn up early so if you are running late you will still be on time.

Bad timekeeping is bad manners, shows you don’t care about other people.

 

[BS32]

Rowatt couldn't get a tune out of this squad and could't find a system that worked .
Bloomers has inherited one of the most limited sides in this league yet we expect to suddenly turn into a wonderful , expansive side .
Get real ..we will stay up by scrapping , working and scraping results and if we do then thats a hell of an acheivement .
We aren't good enough to compete man for man so need to do whatever to win, being defensive has been the only thing we have been good at this season ...see Stoke for examples of when we lose shape after attacking we concide.
Praying we stay up but it won't be pretty and Judging Bloomers on this is harsh.

Absolutely this, cannot understand some of the flack pointed his way, because he,s not Gary Rowett?, he would still be playing Greg Leigh ahead of Currie and Sparky in place of Lankshear ffs.

 

[HillBilly]

Lankshear talked about earning your luck this week. Planets aligned for us yesterday.

February's fixtures are done with and we're within touching distance. That's the main thing.

 

[90syeIlow]

Absolutely this, cannot understand some of the flack pointed his way, because he,s not Gary Rowett?, he would still be playing Greg Leigh ahead of Currie and Sparky in place of Lankshear ffs.

Leigh starting over Currie was one area that GR can certainly be criticised.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

The problem is that I don't think this style of play is sustainable in terms of getting the points we need - even until the end of the season. It just puts too much pressure on our defence for too long. Sometimes it will work and we will get a point or three, but more often we will lose.

But - that may well be the best we can hope for. Being more attacking might well be worse and make us even more vulnerable. We have all seen how we cannot cope against any kind of pace when we are up the pitch.

If we were actually down, I would say 'FK IT' - just try to play on the front foot, set up something for next season. It wouldn't really matter. And actually probably the same if we had enough points to stay up! But as it is, we are *likely* to go down. I don't like the style of football and don't *think* it will help us escape. But given that two separate professional managers now seem to have come to the conclusion that this is the best chance we've got - surely we have to stick with it for now?