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- Jim Smith (East)
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Not making excuses but Juventus fans weren’t entirely blameless with the hooliganism that occurred that fateful day
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Ben Woodburn
- Thread starter Taff Ewe
- Start date
Legally at least, after an 18-month investigation, the entirety of the blame was found to lay with the fans of Liverpool FC, and several were charged with manslaughter, and prosecuted.
Not just Oxford of course, but the fans of West Ham, Derby, Norwich, Coventry, Luton and Wimbledon can all reasonably say they were denied the opportunity to see their best-ever XI compete at Europe's highest level. Southampton and Wednesday, outside the traditional powerbase, were also denied European campaigns, just not their first.
Only Norwich that I can think of made it after the ban.
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I agree all I was saying Juventus fans did play some part, I’m not backing Liverpool in anyway whatsoever and yes fans were charged with what happened. It cost a lot of us a chance to see top European sides.
Mellowyellow
RIP
Any news on when he is back please.
Oxfordpete
Level: Andy Crosby
(122 Apps, 13 Gls)
The sooner the better after his last game for us, class
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A couple of weeks iirc.
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Before he’s back I the squad - not match fit and able to play 90 minutes, though.
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I think that was mentioned as when he'd be available but how long until he'll be fully match fit, how long is a piece of string?
Will return to the squad of 18 at Shrewsbury - KR
Yes started off as the number 10 behind the striker when we were playing 4-2-3-1, was a bit hit and miss. Then we changed to 4-3-3 (technically more like 4-1-2-3 as Gorrin sits deeper than the other 2 CM's), we were transformed and so too was Woodburn playing deeper. Put in a few really impressive performances before his unfortunate injuries. He showed he can get stuck in and do the nasty side of the game and still affect the game with his passing/dribbling ability - look at the Lincoln 6-0 highlights for a superb ball to set up Fosu for our second.
It took him a bit of time to find form when he first came. I think it will take him a few weeks to get up to speed when he is back. If we are winning he may struggle for game time to get up to speed.
Poised:
https://www.Oxfordm**l.co.uk/sport/...burn-poised-oxford-united-return-five-months/
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For me, he was at his best when he dropped deeper into central midfield as he could run from deep and generally had more space to influence the game. He could tackle pretty well so also could do the defensive role needed.
Hopefully he gets his shots just inside the post/crossbar when he comes back as he seemed to hit the woodwork a fair bit pre-injury.
If he comes into the side, would it be in Sykes' current position?
I would like to see him playing centrally, alongside Brannagan and just in front of Gorrin. I don't think he has the pace and the physicality that Sykes does when riding challenges and beating players, out-wide.
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- Jim Smith (East)
Probably if considering his best form from before the injury. I suspect we'll have more rotation in midfield anyway. Woodburn will start on the bench anyway.
For example, Gorrin will be rotated occasionally with Liam Kelly imo.
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Woodburn was (IMO) only just starting to get really effective when he got injured. I can imagine that it will take him a while to get back up to speed, and the idea that he will immediately replace Sykes is very odd.
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Agree. Don’t think he’s just going to walk straight into the team, talented as he is. Unless Liverpool have this “must play” clause someone mentioned. I’d guess he won’t be fully match fit and functioning till later this month.
No one has suggested that he immediately replaces Sykes.
The discussion has been, what is his best position?
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I think for a few games at least Woodburn's best position will be on the bench, then ease him back to match fitness with ten/fifteen minute cameos
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There are only ten games left of the season though. And we have just won our last four, so you'd imagine it isn't broken and doesn't need fixing! I do wonder if he will get enough time on the pitch (or in U23 games?) to get up to match sharpness and make much of a contribution other than (as Sarge says) short cameos off the bench if needed.
Oufcrealist
Level: Dave Roberts
(176 Apps, 8 Gls)
He should quite rightly start on the bench. It will be up to the starting mids to keep their form up. Not a bad situation for KR to have.
Not keen on the must play if fit agreement, if it's true.
Not keen on the must play if fit agreement, if it's true.
Obstructed view
Level: Ricardinho
(39 Apps, 3 Gls)
If we make the play offs players like Kelly and Woodburn might act like a wet sail and be match fit and fresh at the end of a long season and help to invigorate the side
Tomox
Level: Dave Langan
(136 Apps, 3 Gls)
We got results against Accy and Southend but the team looked leggy and we were far from our best. A bit of rotation isn't a bad thing.
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Oh, I agree that we didn't look brilliant. But hopefully no longer playing two games a week will go some way to sorting that out. And rotation? Yes to that as well. But I doubt that Woodburn will be match ready enough to be a starter for at least a few games yet.
