Home Match Day Thread 29/12/2025 - MDT: Oxford United v Swansea City

[Northstandboy]

 

[holdsteady]

Was really depressed after that last night but on waking up just thought let’s get a new man in and get some new players and hope the fresh blood can make some difference.

A good chance it won’t be enough but no point giving up at this stage.

 

[Osei Yaw]

We currently have 22 points from 24 games. We have won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. We have scored 24 and conceded 33.

A year ago on 30 December 2024, Hull had 22 points from 24 games. They had won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. They had scored 22 and conceded 32. So we are 1 goal better off than they were last season. They survived, and they are currently 4th this season.

We're good enough to stay up and we can do it. We lost against Swansea last night for a few reasons. One was a lack of depth and energy in midfield. This is hardly a new thing as it's been the same issue all season. Matos joined in January last year and he's played 20 minutes in the last 2 months for Sheffield United. Go and get him, or similar, in January (like we did last season) and things can and would pick up.

 

[Bretch Hill]

Was to fed up to post after the game. What a soul destroying experience in how to not play football that was. The difference between Boxing Day and last night in terms of everything on the pitch is staggering tbh.
Got home feeling angry tbh not for the first time this season. p**s poor.
Let’s hope we get some news on the manger front.

 

[Billyox]

After the a Southampton game fans were saying we’re staying up, after last night’s game we’re going down.

Craig needed to swop the wingers last night, he also needed to either rest Spencer or take him off as it was clear early on he wasn’t at the races.

I was really disappointed with Krastev when he came on, you just cannot keep doing little tricks/turning into blind alleys when you play in the middle of the park, especially when Swansea were pressing high and quick, was madness. Goodrham’s also got to move the ball quicker too, kept getting shut down.

The January window cannot come quick enough, but we’ve got to act fast to address the central midfield situation.

Do we genuinely trust the recruitment team to get it right?
To answer that, it’s worth revisiting where the recruitment strategy began to falter — summer 2024.
The clearest issue was that the club appeared to be planning for another League One season, rather than preparing for the genuine possibility of promotion to the Championship. That mindset was reflected in the profile of the signings made.
The arrivals of Peter Kioso, Jack Currie, Idris El Mizouni and Louie Sibley were solid League One acquisitions, but none addressed the step-up required for Championship football. Crucially, the club failed to recruit an experienced Championship-level striker, a gap that was never properly filled. Dane Scarlett, while talented, was not equipped to lead the line at that level on his own — a situation that mirrors current concerns around Lankshear, who similarly appears to need an experienced strike partner to be effective.
The additions of Matt Phillips and Will Vaulks did bring some Championship experience, but this was insufficient. What was missing was a broader midfield refresh — players with proven Championship pedigree, combined with the athletic profile and durability needed to cope with the physical and tactical demands of the division.
In short, recruitment was cautious, reactive, and ultimately misaligned with the club’s competitive trajectory. That raises legitimate questions about whether lessons have truly been learned — and whether the recruitment strategy is now equipped to support success at a higher level.

 

[Made-in-Jericho]

Was really depressed after that last night but on waking up just thought let’s get a new man in and get some new players and hope the fresh blood can make some difference.

A good chance it won’t be enough but no point giving up at this stage.

Well said. Simply no point getting too down it won’t change anything and just adds to the poor atmosphere around the ground and around the club; we were so quiet last night that the Swansea defenders could be easily heard giving each other directions.
Let’s just hope we get a new manager in asap and manage a few wins, hard to believe they can afford to take much longer getting this sorted.

 

[maidenheadox]

I didn't have a problem with the team set up or selection last night, but some of the individual performances were awful. Larris had a shocker, and Spencer was not far behind. Very underwhelming from BDK as well, a lot of hesitation on the ball and some stray passes. At times we were very exposed and they really should have scored more. We do need to win games though, and we are going to have to take some risks to do that. Rowattball wasn't working either.

The recent run of results has really hurt us, giving up a lot of points to teams around us, and could ultimately be our undoing. Still, a long way to go, a new manager and a transfer window. Anything can happen I guess, but hard to see how we stay up at the moment.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Stamenic Ran the game from the off.
However good you think BDK is, we haven’t a midfielder at the club. Anywhere near that class who can dictate a game, as he has at theirs and again tonight.

But he was allowed to, nobody got close enough to him. Up against better calibre teams I expect he isn’t going to control games.
Our players not being up to the same standard as others in this league I can forgive. What I can’t forgive is the fitness levels of some of our players and their desire. Swansea players looked to have far more stamina and commitment. They won every second ball and that has nothing to do with how good you are is about passion,desire and commitment

 

[dickwalton1964]

Cummings is a good shot stopper but never comes off his line in any attempt to get the ball

Cummings goal kicks are bewildering at times. Twice last night he sent high kicks soaring into the night sky and bright floodlights and aimed at Mills. The ball might as well have had a message on it saying ‘let it bounce, hope for the mistake, use your pace, run like **** towards goal’ ….. it reminded me of how we used to deploy Yemi - like throwing a stick in a field for a dog to sprint after, just launch it and rely on a player with pace to force a mistake. Swansea were far too clued up for that.

 

[Toe knee]

Yep I'd consider a new number 1,& as for backup what can I say. This squad & the recruitment team are a shambles...

 

[Osei Yaw]

Do we genuinely trust the recruitment team to get it right?
To answer that, it’s worth revisiting where the recruitment strategy began to falter — summer 2024.
The clearest issue was that the club appeared to be planning for another League One season, rather than preparing for the genuine possibility of promotion to the Championship. That mindset was reflected in the profile of the signings made.
The arrivals of Peter Kioso, Jack Currie, Idris El Mizouni and Louie Sibley were solid League One acquisitions, but none addressed the step-up required for Championship football. Crucially, the club failed to recruit an experienced Championship-level striker, a gap that was never properly filled. Dane Scarlett, while talented, was not equipped to lead the line at that level on his own — a situation that mirrors current concerns around Lankshear, who similarly appears to need an experienced strike partner to be effective.
The additions of Matt Phillips and Will Vaulks did bring some Championship experience, but this was insufficient. What was missing was a broader midfield refresh — players with proven Championship pedigree, combined with the athletic profile and durability needed to cope with the physical and tactical demands of the division.
In short, recruitment was cautious, reactive, and ultimately misaligned with the club’s competitive trajectory. That raises legitimate questions about whether lessons have truly been learned — and whether the recruitment strategy is now equipped to support success at a higher level.

What does Chat GPT produce if you give it some broader context that includes a transfer embargo, a budget rehash and a disastrous tour of Indonesia?

 

[Upthecowboys]

Forget the individual performances, and there were some shockers, what I just cannot understand is the absolute inconsitency of our play this season. Under Rowett we chopped and changed the line-up, tactics, substitutions etc and we were critical, justifiably we all imagined. What we have just witnessed from the same line-up in consecutive games is unfathomable. Talk is of player fitness, of return from injury, individual skill levels - all worth factoring into the equation but, do they excuse a team performance such as we witnessed?

Any new head coach is going to have a real job on their hands. And, some harsh decisions are going to have to be made and, be backed by the ownership and board.
Relegation at this stage of the club's development and new stadium is simply not an option. Anyone who believes that the club can bounce straight back from League 1 to Championship is both naive and deluded.

Completely agree..

Getting relegated this season will be a disaster, it feels like the consequences of relegation are being underplayed by some, including our CEO.

1) Surely it will be easier securing funding / selling sponsorship for the new ground if we stay in the Championship.

2) This Summer we have at least 10 out of contract, pretty much all of whom are not Champ level. That would be an amazing opportunity to reshape a Championship squad.

3) I still think it’s easier to stay in the division above than get promoted from the league below. We’re not guaranteed an immediate return..

This season’s demise has been the result of a number of on field and off field factors, but there is the opportunity in January to turn it around. The club need to be ruthless in getting players to move on and we’ve got to get 4 or 5 players in that can make a difference this season.

 

[MJB]

Cummings goal kicks are bewildering at times. Twice last night he sent high kicks soaring into the night sky and bright floodlights and aimed at Mills. The ball might as well have had a message on it saying ‘let it bounce, hope for the mistake, use your pace, run like **** towards goal’ ….. it reminded me of how we used to deploy Yemi - like throwing a stick in a field for a dog to sprint after, just launch it and rely on a player with pace to force a mistake. Swansea were far too clued up for that.

Yes he’s the pantomime villain - and I’ve no problem with him giving the East Stand stick at the end after we dished it out for 45 minutes - but the distribution from Swansea’s GK showed the step up from Cumming.

That’s not to dig out Cumming particularly as he’s one of our better players, but I don’t think he replaces most (if any) of the opposition GKs in the Championship despite his heroics as a shot-stopper.

 

[BrockBuster]

Yes he’s the pantomime villain - and I’ve no problem with him giving the East Stand stick at the end after we dished it out for 45 minutes - but the distribution from Swansea’s GK showed the step up from Cumming.

That’s not to dig out Cumming particularly as he’s one of our better players, but I don’t think he replaces most (if any) of the opposition GKs in the Championship despite his heroics as a shot-stopper.

Yeah has been my biggest bugbear this season, our distribution from the back. Had hoped it'd stop with Rowett gone, but far too often Cumming goes long, or one of Brown, Helik or on last night's example Spencer just hits an aimless ball into space.

Was clear early on Swansea were winning every second ball, so what did we do second half? Double down on passes aimed nowhere in particular in the hope we'd win the second ball. Some of this is down to clever pressing and lack of options, but players need to take some responsibility.

Do worry the Rowett mentality of worrying about the opposition and above all else not making a mistake has bred a club with players wary of taking risks on the ball, and static players hiding off the ball. Needs someone with fresh ideas to breathe confidence back into these players to sort that.

 

[PottersRightBoot]

It really is the hope that kills you.

The only way we are staying in this league is if if we somehow put a decent run together - and tonight showed even more vividly than any poor performance before it that we are just totally incapable of stringing performances together.

Fair play to Swansea - press and energy that we just couldn’t cope with.

Rubbish performance, flat atmosphere, stupid “sheep sh@ggers” chanting, tw@T’s fighting in the car park and the usual miserable wait in the car park after…thoroughly dismal night all round.

Yes he’s the pantomime villain - and I’ve no problem with him giving the East Stand stick at the end after we dished it out for 45 minutes - but the distribution from Swansea’s GK showed the step up from Cumming.

That’s not to dig out Cumming particularly as he’s one of our better players, but I don’t think he replaces most (if any) of the opposition GKs in the Championship despite his heroics as a shot-stopper.

Disagree strongly If it wasn’t for Cumming we’d be on 16 points. He is our best player.

 

[Daviddidcotexile]

Our number 1 certainly has to work hard all game. His limitations does not add up to a league defeat. The defense is often exposed by the lack of midfield activity. We can all see the route of the problem is the lack of midfield players. Hopefully we can get to grips with the window and Cam coming back

 

[BicesterU]

I'm a bit wary of criticising the recruitment team given that they - even more than Rowett - would've borne the brunt of the budget changing mid-way through the Summer window.

Their first two players were Spencer and BDK, who have both improved our side and came in with a good potential for resale. And yes, Spencer wasn't great last night.

They also brought in Lankshear, Prelec and Mills, who have all had good moments this year, and Helik last January who - along with Dembele - scored some vital goals to help keep us up.

The recruitment team need backing as much, if not more, than the manager does by the owners - if they've identified players on a level with BDK and Spencer as their first choices, but then all of a sudden have to change tack and look at free agents. Loanees or U21s, that's not entirely on them.

A big part of the issue is that what we see on the pitch is the outcome of how the club is being run.

The manager has been sacked because performances weren't good enough. A good win, a bad loss, and attention is now turning to the players, and the people who signed them.

But if you keep following the trail, you find a leadership team who seem to have a propensity for f*****g up quite simple things, a Chairman who lives on the other side of the planet, and an owner who may just be inclined not to overspend to keep us in the division if he's got half an eye on selling once the stadium is sorted.

 

[dickwalton1964]

Was really depressed after that last night but on waking up just thought let’s get a new man in and get some new players and hope the fresh blood can make some difference.

A good chance it won’t be enough but no point giving up at this stage.

100% this.

We cannot give up and absolutely no reason why we should - a lot of our fans are very defeatist though. A good appointment, some solid signings and the right departures, coupled with a hard earned point or two in the coming games and there will be optimism again. You’d never ever find me saying we are down with 22 games to go and a point or two from safety - that’s a huge amount of football.

It’s tough but we have to keep the faith and keep believing, we aren’t in a Wolves or Sheffield Wednesday situation - far from it.

 

[werthersoriginal]

We currently have 22 points from 24 games. We have won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. We have scored 24 and conceded 33.

A year ago on 30 December 2024, Hull had 22 points from 24 games. They had won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. They had scored 22 and conceded 32. So we are 1 goal better off than they were last season. They survived, and they are currently 4th this season.

We're good enough to stay up and we can do it. We lost against Swansea last night for a few reasons. One was a lack of depth and energy in midfield. This is hardly a new thing as it's been the same issue all season. Matos joined in January last year and he's played 20 minutes in the last 2 months for Sheffield United. Go and get him, or similar, in January (like we did last season) and things can and would pick up.

The stats are true but we didn’t just lose because of midfield, everyone was awful and we can’t sign enough players to replace everyone.

 

[Slade Yellow]

The problem also is we wait for the passed ball to come to us and by the time it is the opposition have ran to it and intercepted the ball, seems we just haven’t a clue how football is supposed to be played.

A good reason why the whole coaching setup probably needs revamping.
Changing a manager without new coaches has yet again shown not to be the right thing to do. Keeping the same constantly failing coaching staff just because their good old boys is a ticket to failure.

 

[Eric Blair]

Got to be honest lads and lasses. My morale has taken a hit after last night. I usually see the positives but not after that. Anyone got anything positive that might cheer us all up?

 

[Eric Blair]

We currently have 22 points from 24 games. We have won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. We have scored 24 and conceded 33.

A year ago on 30 December 2024, Hull had 22 points from 24 games. They had won 5, drawn 7 and lost 12. They had scored 22 and conceded 32. So we are 1 goal better off than they were last season. They survived, and they are currently 4th this season.

We're good enough to stay up and we can do it. We lost against Swansea last night for a few reasons. One was a lack of depth and energy in midfield. This is hardly a new thing as it's been the same issue all season. Matos joined in January last year and he's played 20 minutes in the last 2 months for Sheffield United. Go and get him, or similar, in January (like we did last season) and things can and would pick up.

That cheers me up to be fair.

 

[sadoldsod1778]

Got to be honest lads and lasses. My morale has taken a hit after last night. I usually see the positives but not after that. Anyone got anything positive that might cheer us all up?

No

 

[forevayella]

I thought Swansea looked decent . I’d love to have their centre forward up front for us, real handful and has scored 12 goals in a struggling side. The Swedish lad in midfield didn’t stop running all night and showed real desire unlike our powder puff midfield.

 

[pistonbroke]

View attachment 32595Lost for words.

The January transfer window, a new manager and new coaching staff can't come quickly enough....

Also we need a new recruiting team.

 

[Jon-ioualways]

Got to be honest lads and lasses. My morale has taken a hit after last night. I usually see the positives but not after that. Anyone got anything positive that might cheer us all up?

Sure! It was all a dastardly ploy to lure Ipswich (and Sheffield Utd) into a false sense of superiority? Six points for the taking!



Yes, I know...because that was an utterly dire performance we put in yesterday.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

We looked utterly shattered last night. There was a strange spell in the last 5/10 mins of the first half where we found some energy, pushed everyone a few yards higher and showed a bit more movement off the ball. Started pulling Swansea out of shape immediately but couldn't sustain it. A lot of our misplaced passes last night were simply because we were so static off the ball that every attempted pass was telegraphed ahead to swans.

Lots of football to play and with cam back and a couple of focused signings in January under a new head coach I am keeping the faith. Swansea's new manager has transformed a team who looked dead certs for the drop a few weeks ago.

 

[NorthWestOx]

Got to be honest lads and lasses. My morale has taken a hit after last night. I usually see the positives but not after that. Anyone got anything positive that might cheer us all up?

We still have to play Sheff. Wed, Norwich, Charlton and Blackburn at home, win ALL of those and we have half a chance of staying up.

(Just ignore the results of the home games against Portsmouth, Sheff Utd. and Swansea...)

 

[Marked Ox]

We were comfortably outplayed and a fair result.

We really can't do 2 good games in a row.

 

[Foley]

I like Spencer but that was a shocker of a performance tonight. Helik too was very hesitant, especially in the first half. Prelec, Harris, Goodrham, Placheta, Mills all absolutely sh*te - take your pick who was the worst. None are proper Championship quality. As for Romeny, just a dreadful footballer.

Curries worst game for us as well?
Short agreed after the game that after 20 minutes he realised that he had made a mistake in picking the same team.
I have some sympathy for Spencer who came back after a fairly long term injury to play 3 games in a row- 2 in 3 days.
It was clear that the players were physically shattered. Long, Vaulks and Lankshear should probably have started.
As we know the squad is not balanced. IF Krastev and Goodrham are not seen as good enough players to play wide, then we have virtually no options but Mills, Shemmy and Dembele in the current formation.
We need the new coach in soon and if nothing else, we need 3 new players to make a difference and to balance the squad.

 

[90syeIlow]

Got to be honest lads and lasses. My morale has taken a hit after last night. I usually see the positives but not after that. Anyone got anything positive that might cheer us all up?

Brannagan returning to revitalise some team and fan spirit while scoring a few thunderbolts to keep us fighting.