Home Match Build-Up 30/11/2024 - Championship: Oxford United vs Millwall

[Golden Dr Otto]

There is a lot of focus in this thread on the players, their ability, their tenacity, and their effort.

Well….


THERE NEEDS TO BE HUGE FOCUS ON OUR PERFORMANCE AS FANS THIS WEEKEND

We are all in this together
We need to create an atmosphere of intensity and 90 minutes of support
We need to be relentless in getting those around us to sing up
We need to give every ounce to help the players give every ounce

Our players are trying hard. We’ve made good atmospheres away from home. But whether we stay up is down to how we do at home this season. We’ve had some incredibly tough fixtures. But every fixture at this level is a challenge. We can be positive whilst still recognizing that we are up against it this season.

So let’s do this. Turn it up a notch big time on Saturday and do you part. The boys need you.

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

Seems to be this misguided belief that by going 5 at the back you are more solid with (technically) an extra defender, whereas I think you tend to end up with gaping holes - not just in the channels behind, but in the middle of the park where you've effectively sacrificed the extra midfielder for little, if any, gain.

We can debate what formation Oxford United should play all day long but it’s ridiculous to suggest that 3 at the back never works, because plenty of sides have recently won leagues and cups at the very highest level playing it.

The only formation you could argue doesn’t really work any more is 4-4-2 as almost no-one plays it at the top level. Plenty have 3 at the back though, without ‘gaping holes’ in the middle of the pitch.

 

[Littlemore Local]

5 minutes before kickoff turn off all the lights in the stadium.
Wait for the Millwall fans to start heckling.
Then still in darkness... A long droning chord from the PA....
"I buried my heart in a hole in the ground..."
FLASH FLASH FLASH
By the time the drums kick in it's the full light show round the whole stadium.
The teams run out. Millwall fans rattled.
YELLOWS drowning out Millwall.
Goals from Brown, Scarlett, Brannagan.
Marcelino on as sub to bury the 4th.
Everyone forgets the last 2 games ever happened.

 

[LeftSideBoy]

5 minutes before kickoff turn off all the lights in the stadium.
Wait for the Millwall fans to start heckling.
Then still in darkness... A long droning chord from the PA....
"I buried my heart in a hole in the ground..."
FLASH FLASH FLASH
By the time the drums kick in it's the full light show round the whole stadium.

Love the idea, but it's a 12:30 kick off

 

[Littlemore Local]

Love the idea, but it's a 12:30 kick off

Ah. Um. Let's hope it's very cloudy.

 

[Morris Oxford]

We can debate what formation Oxford United should play all day long but it’s ridiculous to suggest that 3 at the back never works, because plenty of sides have recently won leagues and cups at the very highest level playing it.

The only formation you could argue doesn’t really work any more is 4-4-2 as almost no-one plays it at the top level. Plenty have 3 at the back though, without ‘gaping holes’ in the middle of the pitch.

Nothing wrong with 3 at the back if you have the players best suited to playing in that formation. On the evidence I’ve seen so far this season I’m not sure we do.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

There is a lot of focus in this thread on the players, their ability, their tenacity, and their effort.

Well….


THERE NEEDS TO BE HUGE FOCUS ON OUR PERFORMANCE AS FANS THIS WEEKEND

We are all in this together
We need to create an atmosphere of intensity and 90 minutes of support
We need to be relentless in getting those around us to sing up
We need to give every ounce to help the players give every ounce

Our players are trying hard. We’ve made good atmospheres away from home. But whether we stay up is down to how we do at home this season. We’ve had some incredibly tough fixtures. But every fixture at this level is a challenge. We can be positive whilst still recognizing that we are up against it this season.

So let’s do this. Turn it up a notch big time on Saturday and do you part. The boys need you.

Absolutely, well up for this one!

 

[Joey]

I was a big advocate of going 3 at the back when Placheta, Phillips and Dembele were all out as we had no other pace to play out wide which made us much too easy to play against. It suited the personnel we had available at the time but now we have wingers again we need to go to a back 4. To play on either side of the 3 you need a fair bit of athleticism and I don't think Brown and especially Long have it, certainly compared to Nelson so it's not doing us any favours.

Hopefully Kioso is back and I'd stick with Leigh and keep Moore and Brown in the middle, now that Nelson is gone that's head and shoulders the best central defensive partnership we have. Moving Brown to left back isn't a massive upgrade on Leigh, who gets some unwarranted stick, but will be a big downgrade if we have to then play Long or Thorniley at centre back. Leigh may struggle defensively but it seems to have been glossed over that Brown also got taken apart more than once when playing full back this season. I'd like to see McEachran back in to help us control the ball more with Brannagan and Goodrham in the middle and Shemmy and Phillips out wide. Apart from Dembele and Bennett I think that's pretty much our strongest team when everyone is fit.

Millwall are flying at the moment in terms of form but they aren't as good away from home by a long stretch and I don't think they've got the quality of player throughout the squad as either Sheffield United or Middlesborough do, although Esse looks a real talent. It'll be another tough test but it's the more winnable of the recent fixtures and then we have a more friendly run. If we defend set pieces well and back ourselves then we've got a great chance.

 

[Trevor L]

If Bennett was fit he would be starting at leftback.
Before Nelson got injured Brown was the preferred leftback.

Leigh isn’t as good defensively as either Bennett or Brown.

We or at least Des has to decide if Kioso, Long, Moore, Brown is stronger than Kioso, Moore, Brown, Leigh.
50/50 call in my view.

It's a conundrum. In my view, despite having six fit defenders it's hard to identify a solid back four. I like the Moore/Brown CB pairing and Kioso at RB but I'm flummoxed for a good choice at LB. Love Leigh but he tends to go AWOL. Long at LB doesn't sound plausible. Ter Avest? Not sure whether he's 100% right footed.

 

[Under The Cuckoo Lane]

I remember Jimmy Sweetzer, thought he was promising although I was only about 12 at the time. He only played 11 league games - 8 for us and 3 for Millwall. Anyone know if he got a bad injury?

 

[Morris Oxford]

It's a conundrum. In my view, despite having six fit defenders it's hard to identify a solid back four. I like the Moore/Brown CB pairing and Kioso at RB but I'm flummoxed for a good choice at LB. Love Leigh but he tends to go AWOL. Long at LB doesn't sound plausible. Ter Avest? Not sure whether he's 100% right footed.

Ter Avest at left back is an interesting one, he looks like a very versatile, adaptable type of player. I’m sure it will have crossed Buckingham’s mind, but I suspect he much prefers a left footed player in there.

Des also appears to be a big advocate of building partnerships around the pitch so he might be inclined to stick with Leigh to build some continuity.

However I’ve got a feeling we might soon see Thorniley come into the back four along side Moore with Brown at left back.

Let’s see!

 

[BanburyAL]

So many people overreacting we’ve played Sheffield United away who are top and Watford who hasn’t lost a home game since March and Middlesbrough who are scoring for fun , we’ve just come up and people expecting results against these teams absolutely crazy and blaming players who have got us in the championship

You do realize we have only won one game in our other 9 games and we probably didn't deserve to win that?

 

[Foley]

George Elek is betting on us to lose and Millwall to score from a corner on NTT20
Let's hope that he is very wrong!

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

George Elek is betting on us to lose and Millwall to score from a corner on NTT20
Let's hope that he is very wrong!

Judas.

 

[BanburyAL]

I was feeling quietly confident about getting something in this one as they aren't a possession side that play through the lines and we seem to have a problem with stopping teams do just that against us at present. Having said that they are good at what they do and have had some great results in the last month or two. It is a bit of a weird time to be playing them as their game was cancelled last night, I think this should be a big disadvantage unfortunately. Although, they aren't amazing away from home.

 

[Mad Dog]

Long hasn’t looked good at all in the last couple of games and seems out of form

I don't think Long has been particularly out of form, but I think he's suffering from the same problem as the rest of the CB, and that's a midfield with more holes in it than Katie Price's knickers.

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

I don't think Long has been particularly out of form, but I think he's suffering from the same problem as the rest of the CB, and that's a midfield with more holes in it than Katie Price's knickers.

Does that excuse being beaten in the air for headers and not going with runners in the box?

 

[werthersoriginal]

Does that excuse being beaten in the air for headers and not going with runners in the box?

He’s not that tall. Moore would have headed away the first goal on Tuesday, I’m sure

 

[SSO]

You have to be positive!

I have to believe we can win every game. I don't go to games to see us get beat.

By the way I thought at first your name was David Coote in Exile.

 

[Royalstandard74]

Got a soft spot for Millwall, went there a few times in the 90s with a Wall mate I've lost contact with now, a proper community club holding their own against the big glory London clubs.

 

[Swaby39]

Ruben has never been played as a deep midfielder. Ever. Against Watford and Stoke when he played at his best, he was playing on the right of a front three. He's either played there or centrally every time this season, but unfortunately he isn't making the kind of impact that he did in league one.

Sadly, I think that his touch and speed in controlling the ball is just not good enough at this level. The one thing that has stood out about the Championship is just how little time you get on the ball. Ruben either struggles to get control, or takes too long on the ball and loses possession.

When we're at our best on the front foot, he can be an absolute menace at nicking the ball off defenders or getting into advanced positions, but when playing with his back to the goal he not only struggles but has looked a liability at times.

Maybe that isn’t the intention but when we spend as much time as we do defending, he’s naturally part of that unit which means he’s getting the ball in areas we’d rather he didn’t and then he’s much too far from goal to do any damage.

Not only are we robbing ourselves of an attacking threat, it’s self sabotage as we know he’s prone to overplaying in daft areas. So what’s the benefit of him playing there? The more you break it down the more daft it is. Think of it from an opponent’s POV - where would they like to see Rúben when they play us? I’d suggest it’s probably on the edge of our box.

Rodrigues has his flaws but he has qualities nobody else in our squad has while matching everybody else for work ethic and if we want to get back on the winning trail I think he’s critical. Des is either going to have to adapt his shape to get him in spaces he can do more damage to them and less to us, or he’s got to be brave enough to put in a rounder peg in that position. It’s just plain frustrating to see the misuse of a player go on for so long and when it doesn’t work it’s their fault… not for me. This is a Des problem.

 

[Scotchegg]

Maybe that isn’t the intention but when we spend as much time as we do defending, he’s naturally part of that unit which means he’s getting the ball in areas we’d rather he didn’t and then he’s much too far from goal to do any damage.

Not only are we robbing ourselves of an attacking threat, it’s self sabotage as we know he’s prone to overplaying in daft areas. So what’s the benefit of him playing there? The more you break it down the more daft it is. Think of it from an opponent’s POV - where would they like to see Rúben when they play us? I’d suggest it’s probably on the edge of our box.

Rodrigues has his flaws but he has qualities nobody else in our squad has while matching everybody else for work ethic and if we want to get back on the winning trail I think he’s critical. Des is either going to have to adapt his shape to get him in spaces he can do more damage to them and less to us, or he’s got to be brave enough to put in a rounder peg in that position. It’s just plain frustrating to see the misuse of a player go on for so long and when it doesn’t work it’s their fault… not for me. This is a Des problem.

For someone who has massively criticised every player, I'm genuinely amazed that Ruben frees a free pass. He has been played in his preferred position and Des has stuck with him despite numerous poor performances. So I'm not sure to sits with anyone but the player.

I have no issues with him, I'm sure he's giving his all, but it's simply not good enough right now.

But it gives you an opportunity to show that you're still undecided on Des despite ripping him apart again.

 

[Swaby39]

For someone who has massively criticised every player, I'm genuinely amazed that Ruben frees a free pass. He has been played in his preferred position and Des has stuck with him despite numerous poor performances. So I'm not sure to sits with anyone but the player.

I have no issues with him, I'm sure he's giving his all, but it's simply not good enough right now.

But it gives you an opportunity to show that you're still undecided on Des despite ripping him apart again.

Free pass? I’ve just said he overplays and is a danger to us? But do I want to see a midfielder that continually gets on the ball and at least tries to pass forwards benched at a time we’re bereft of confidence? No.

Ripping him apart… You really are such a snowflake, honestly. It’s hardly a bashing to say the manager’s tactics aren’t getting the best out of a player.

This is what comes with the territory. The team is playing shite. So where are the obvious problems? This is a big one and I’m only defending him because I don’t think he’s being deployed to do a job he can at this level. So either don’t deploy him or show you’ve got other ideas that might get a little more from him.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

We can debate what formation Oxford United should play all day long but it’s ridiculous to suggest that 3 at the back never works, because plenty of sides have recently won leagues and cups at the very highest level playing it.

The only formation you could argue doesn’t really work any more is 4-4-2 as almost no-one plays it at the top level. Plenty have 3 at the back though, without ‘gaping holes’ in the middle of the pitch.

What is this, the '5-3-2 police'?

Dear oh dear. My apologies. I was referring to Oxford United. This season.

Thought that was obvious based on where we are and what we're talking about (not to mention the fact that I went on to mention OUFC players)

I guess I momentarily forgot that there are some on here who take far too much interest in 'the very highest level'.

Personally, I don't give a f*ck if Pep Pellegrini is the world's greatest tactician with 'quadruple pivots' and 'false tens' - I'm really only ever interested in what works for us, not my fantasy football team.

Maybe we'll catch up on here on Saturday night and I'll let you know how I felt the day went for OUFC? Perhaps you can then enlighten me as to how some Spanish tw*t in a waistcoat got the better of Wolves, or something equally as boring?

 

[TailsWeWin]

I don't think Long has been particularly out of form, but I think he's suffering from the same problem as the rest of the CB, and that's a midfield with more holes in it than Katie Price's knickers.

Long is our second reserve centre back. He has been quite good in League One; he is far too slow and ponderous to face the quick, clever forwards in the Championship. At Sheffield he was made to look distinctly poor, as he has on a number of occasions.

 

[Isle of Wight Yellow]

What is this, the '5-3-2 police'?

Dear oh dear. My apologies. I was referring to Oxford United. This season.

Thought that was obvious based on where we are and what we're talking about (not to mention the fact that I went on to mention OUFC players)

I guess I momentarily forgot that there are some on here who take far too much interest in 'the very highest level'.

Personally, I don't give a f*ck if Pep Pellegrini is the world's greatest tactician with 'quadruple pivots' and 'false tens' - I'm really only ever interested in what works for us, not my fantasy football team.

Maybe we'll catch up on here on Saturday night and I'll let you know how I felt the day went for OUFC? Perhaps you can then enlighten me as to how some Spanish tw*t in a waistcoat got the better of Wolves, or something equally as boring?

“Seems to be this misguided belief that by going 5 at the back you are more solid with (technically) an extra defender, whereas I think you tend to end up with gaping holes - not just in the channels behind, but in the middle of the park where you've effectively sacrificed the extra midfielder for little, if any, gain.”

Wouldn’t this sentence have made much, much more sense if you’d used ‘We’ instead of ‘You’? Since you were apparently only talking specifically about Oxford United?

“Seems to be this misguided belief that by going 5 at the back we are more solid with (technically) an extra defender, whereas I think we tend to end up with gaping holes - not just in the channels behind, but in the middle of the park where we’ve effectively sacrificed the extra midfielder for little, if any, gain.”

Or do you not even support Oxford?!

Or, maybe you just aren’t very good at writing things so that they can be understood. That certainly seems to be the case anyway, going by your other rambling nonsensical postings…

 

[werthersoriginal]

What is this, the '5-3-2 police'?

Dear oh dear. My apologies. I was referring to Oxford United. This season.

Thought that was obvious based on where we are and what we're talking about (not to mention the fact that I went on to mention OUFC players)

I guess I momentarily forgot that there are some on here who take far too much interest in 'the very highest level'.

Personally, I don't give a f*ck if Pep Pellegrini is the world's greatest tactician with 'quadruple pivots' and 'false tens' - I'm really only ever interested in what works for us, not my fantasy football team.

Maybe we'll catch up on here on Saturday night and I'll let you know how I felt the day went for OUFC? Perhaps you can then enlighten me as to how some Spanish tw*t in a waistcoat got the better of Wolves, or something equally as boring?

Ha that escalated. Pellegrini has been replaced by Diego Garcia now anyway

 

[werthersoriginal]

Long is our second reserve centre back. He has been quite good in League One; he is far too slow and ponderous to face the quick, clever forwards in the Championship. At Sheffield he was made to look distinctly poor, as he has on a number of occasions.

To be fair he has done pretty this season until the last couple of games, which have been a step too far for him and several others. For the third goal on Tuesday we had a few defenders on the spot but standing around looking confused as they powered through us.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

“Seems to be this misguided belief that by going 5 at the back you are more solid with (technically) an extra defender, whereas I think you tend to end up with gaping holes - not just in the channels behind, but in the middle of the park where you've effectively sacrificed the extra midfielder for little, if any, gain.”

Wouldn’t this sentence have made much, much more sense if you’d used ‘We’ instead of ‘You’? Since you were apparently only talking specifically about Oxford United?

“Seems to be this misguided belief that by going 5 at the back we are more solid with (technically) an extra defender, whereas I think we tend to end up with gaping holes - not just in the channels behind, but in the middle of the park where we’ve effectively sacrificed the extra midfielder for little, if any, gain.”

Or do you not even support Oxford?!

Or, maybe you just aren’t very good at writing things so that they can be understood. That certainly seems to be the case anyway, going by your other rambling nonsensical postings…

Oh dear, someone's upset. You been thinking about Josh Murphy again? Don't think you've posted about him for at least 20 minutes (imagine him with 5 at the back - phwoar).

I'll be there Saturday lunchtime pal. More than can be said for you I imagine (I reckon the only time you'd get on that ferry is to have a nosh on Josh).

Meanwhile, you be sure to let me know if Football Focus is any good this week, won't you?

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Free pass? I’ve just said he overplays and is a danger to us? But do I want to see a midfielder that continually gets on the ball and at least tries to pass forwards benched at a time we’re bereft of confidence? No.

Ripping him apart… You really are such a snowflake, honestly. It’s hardly a bashing to say the manager’s tactics aren’t getting the best out of a player.

This is what comes with the territory. The team is playing shite. So where are the obvious problems? This is a big one and I’m only defending him because I don’t think he’s being deployed to do a job he can at this level. So either don’t deploy him or show you’ve got other ideas that might get a little more from him.

RR should be dropped. Too slow in possession and looks to be struggling with the pace of the championship. Improvements needed from him to demonstrate he can cut it at championship level.