Pre-Season 29/07/25 - Oxford United v CD Leganés KO 1900

[CarParkUltra]

Decent shift put in tonight, BDK, Mills and Spencer stood out, we lost our way a bit when all the subs were on, to be expected though. I’d to see his starting eleven this Saturday, if he knows it of course.

BDK stood out over Cam?

I appreciate football is a game of opinions but I thought he gave the ball away quite a few times and some of Cams balls out to Mills were superb and really stretched the game.

p.s. I'm not overly negative on BDK, just thought he had a fairly poor game today next to Cam who was his normal self.

Not sure what to make of GOD. He's certainly filled out over the summer - I think a lower League 2 loan where he's the main man could do him a world of good.

 

[Charlie_Oufc]

I disagree .I would rather walk my dog .,but I'm an old fossil compared to you youngsters .

If your fed you with misinformation I suggest you step away from social media .

I know when someone is talking rubbish because I’m active on social media and can quickly fact check posts. I felt like calling you out on it because many on here, will take your post as gospel, since they’re not as present on apps such as X and Instagram.

 

[Common Villager]

That was a decent run out, I enjoyed that.

I thought Spencer was the highlight. Looked solid defensively and went past their left back a couple of times. Also did a good job when he moved inside.

Philips looks a different player - he was well up for it today and holds the ball up well in the 10 role. However, he doesn't offer enough creativity for me to be the main man in there.

I thought Dembele looked very dangerous too. I think he's going to have a big season.

I was abit disappointed with BDK actually - he gave the ball away too often for me and looked a bit flat footed. You can certainly see there's a player there though and confident he's going to be a big player this year.

We're just crying out for a striker aren't we. Mills got the ball into decent areas a few times but we just don't have anyone sharp attacking it. Hopefully that's where we make a statement signing as the rest of the team aren't a million miles off.

Hopefully Currie can replace the long through from Vaulkes as we were so dangerous from that last year.

Brannagan is still the main man.

Was going to write a full post, but won't bother as these are almost exactly my thoughts.

Was impressed with Mills. As you say, whipped some very good balls in.

 

[HillBilly]

Agree. Stan Mills was great tonight. He was like the reverse of Placheta: savvy, direct, never wasted possession.

I'm glad to have them both, but think Mills will really push on another level this season (and whip in a barrage of laser-guided crosses for our strikers to flail at probably).

 

[TobyDavis34]

Friendlies for me are for players to get fit and up to speed and for parents to take new young ones to their first game to get them used to what it is like visiting a ‘big’ stadium.

That, by the way, is EXACTLY what I’m doing on Saturday with my 4 year old

 

[Up The Manor]

I know when someone is talking rubbish because I’m active on social media and can quickly fact check posts. I felt like calling you out on it because many on here, will take your post as gospel, since they’re not as present on apps such as X and Instagram.

Calling me out ???? Christ you have lost the plot .

I hope you feel better now ???

 

[Jster]

How did Luke Harris manage to get injured? He seemed fine and positive when interviewed after the previous game. Can hardly be blamed on Indonesia either.

 

[Charlie_Oufc]

Calling me out ???? Christ you have lost the plot .

I hope you feel better now ???

I don’t think any of my messages have crossed a line? Simply pointed out that your original message wasn’t accurate, for the sake of everyone else. Think you’ve taken it the wrong way but enjoy your evening nevertheless

 

[Steve Gilbert]

That, by the way, is EXACTLY what I’m doing on Saturday with my 4 year old

I hope they have a great time and enjoy the experience.
This is why I always think the club should still do plenty of activities for young ones even for the pre season games as they would for a normal league game.

Maybe one for @OUSP (Replaced by FAB) to look into for future years.

 

[Yellowmania]

That, by the way, is EXACTLY what I’m doing on Saturday with my 4 year old

And exactly what I wanted to do with my 5yr old Grandson but the date didn’t work out in the end.

 

[Danny777]

their number 5 was a half a yard offside?

This is the kick point, it’s very close, there is another player out of shot that was offside, but Assistant felt the 5 was level.

 

[uptheus]

Agree. Stan Mills was great tonight. He was like the reverse of Placheta: savvy, direct, never wasted possession.

I'm glad to have them both, but think Mills will really push on another level this season (and whip in a barrage of laser-guided crosses for our strikers to flail at probably).

That’s if he’s not injured.

 

[SSO]

Fair, welcome Levi!

Don’t think I could ever question Levi’s Roots

 

[stu_tay]

This maybe controversial.... Thought BDK looked a little bit off it today, anyone else see Cam tearing into him just before they scored? Really impressed with Spencer, quick and agile.

Think overall a good performance. Phillips looked rejuvenated from last season too Was the goal offside? Looked close from my view

 

[HillBilly]

View attachment 29592
This is the kick point, it’s very close, there is another player out of shot that was offside, but Assistant felt the 5 was level.

I thought it looked a mile offside, but I can see myself in the background, so not the best view.

 

[bazzer9461]

Spencer, Mills and De Keersmacker very good

 

[Osei Yaw]

Not really sure what standard Leganes are or where they are with their pre season but I thought we were better than them tonight. At least until we ran out of puff in the second half. We certainly we got the ball into better areas although the game felt like it was drifting from 55 minutes onwards as we tired.

Spencer looked good. A good athlete, combative and surprisingly good going forward.

I also really liked BdK. Very positive to see him hit a big diagonal pass with his left but take corners with his right. There were a few bits he did where it was clear he wanted to do things quickly and move it forward with just one touch. Very promising but just ran out of steam. There's clearly a very good player there and I fancy that he'll want to make his mark in games (and possibly on the opposition, he's a bit feisty).

I've not seen Currie before but he showed real intention to get forward. He was basically playing as a left winger for most his time on the pitch.

Dembele was a bit sloppy and frustrating for the first 25 minutes or so, but then when he switched it on he was head and shoulders above the rest.

On the other side of the pitch you couldn't really get a winger less like Dembele than Mills. It's really noticeable how quickly he just wants to get the ball in the box.

I also thought Phillips deserves a mention. Big and strong and knocked a few of their defenders around.

The most noteworthy thing for me is that it felt like we played the whole match in a classic 4-4-2 (Mike Bassett would be proud). Perhaps tonight was an indication of one of the systems we'll look to this season and some of the personnel we're looking to bring in. The way we went about things tonight was made for a big man up top.

 

[bazzer9461]

I haven’t read or heard anything but does anyone know why Harris, Shemmy or Helik not in the squad

 

[Jon-ioualways]

I know when someone is talking rubbish because I’m active on social media and can quickly fact check posts. I felt like calling you out on it because many on here, will take your post as gospel, since they’re not as present on apps such as X and Instagram.

Oh well, that's all good then. It's amazing how accurate most posts on X are once they've been carefully checked.

 

[Stranger]

I haven’t read or heard anything but does anyone know why Harris, Shemmy or Helik not in the squad

L Harris was in a protective boot while both Shemmy and Helik got knocks/twinges on Saturday and so were rested as a precaution

 

[Stranger]

All these reviews, most of which seem fairly accurate I think, but hardly a mention for Long who was outstanding at centre back. My man of the match

 

[Bretch Hill]

View attachment 29583
Is this anyone? Saw it on a WhatsApp group I’m on

Kier farmer ?

 

[RagingBull]

View attachment 29583
Is this anyone? Saw it on a WhatsApp group I’m on

This is Ed Denton - first team analyst at Pompey. Used to be an analyst for us.

 

[HillBilly]

This maybe controversial.... Thought BDK looked a little bit off it today, anyone else see Cam tearing into him just before they scored? Really impressed with Spencer, quick and agile.

Think overall a good performance. Phillips looked rejuvenated from last season too Was the goal offside? Looked close from my view

Think there were two wayward passes from Brian at the start of the match and then he began to fade around 60 minutes before coming off. But you can see he's going to be a good player for us, pretty quick, and I think the combination of him and Cam might have given Rowett more confidence in playing two up front.

Phillips looked like a trialist. Ran himself hard. Made life difficult for their back line. A few sweet little dinks. Who knows? Not sure. Much better though.

I thought Long was pretty commanding as well, it's true. Spencer also looked a strong option at CB (only 20 minutes, but he was solid and has pace).

 

[Eric Blair]

That, by the way, is EXACTLY what I’m doing on Saturday with my 4 year old

I hope he/she has a blast

 

[Marked Ox]

Enjoyed tonight.

Like to echo Matt Phillips looked decent tonight.

The handbags were amusing.

But the highlight was the Leganes player attempting to block a Cam Bran shot by diving headfirst across the path of it. Luckily for him another player blocked it as his face may have looked a bit different afterwards.

 

[CaptainOx]

Yeah does look like Denton.

 

[stu_tay]

Think there were two wayward passes from Brian at the start of the match and then he began to fade around 60 minutes before coming off. But you can see he's going to be a good player for us, pretty quick, and I think the combination of him and Cam might have given Rowett more confidence in playing two up front.

1st time seeing him play, I'd assume he was given the instruction to press more than Cam or given more freedom to play higher. Just seemed like he was caught in 2 minds

 

[Jon-ioualways]

Oh well, that's all good then. It's amazing how accurate most posts on X are once they've been carefully checked.

Sorry, mods, but I couldn't find any sarcasm font to use. Please provide ASAP, as I don't want Sir Andy of Crosby laughing at me any more.

 

[Malc]

Sorry, mods, but I couldn't find any sarcasm font to use. Please provide ASAP, as I don't want Sir Andy of Crosby laughing at me any more.

You have full control over fonts on your own pc. We mods have no influence.