Its clearly a "if we dont say anything for long enough itll go away" thing. Like the stadium move. Like the "wow" signings."...when are our minds going to be put at rest regards the winding up petition?". Indeed.
Yup: agree on the Brannagan thoughts, Lounger. Otherwise spot-on, Paul.As always a good read Paul however, I would take issue with you regarding Brannagan. I thought he showed some good touches and underscored why playing Moushino in front of the back 4 works. Brannagan scampered around the midfield putting pressure on the opposition and winning the ball a number times before making the odd run forward. Unfortunately, as is often the case of late, our players hang on far too long before passing or shooting. Given the right support and movement off the ball we should see a few more goals come out of this set up.
Rob Dickie is slowly winning me over. Taking care of Eaves was a real task and he must have learnt a lot about how to get away with the "dark arts"! Previously I thought he looked clumsy, yesterday he gave a very good "Who me?" appearance and got the ref on his side! Apparently Eaves was deemed too expensive for us pre-season.
The ref? Just another lower league official who will never see Premiership action. On the subject of the ref, should he have cautioned the keeper for the penalty incident?
I understand that McMahon did not want to be substituted last week.
As always a good read Paul however, I would take issue with you regarding Brannagan. I thought he showed some good touches and underscored why playing Moushino in front of the back 4 works. Brannagan scampered around the midfield putting pressure on the opposition and winning the ball a number times before making the odd run forward. Unfortunately, as is often the case of late, our players hang on far too long before passing or shooting. Given the right support and movement off the ball we should see a few more goals come out of this set up.
Rob Dickie is slowly winning me over. Taking care of Eaves was a real task and he must have learnt a lot about how to get away with the "dark arts"! Previously I thought he looked clumsy, yesterday he gave a very good "Who me?" appearance and got the ref on his side! Apparently Eaves was deemed too expensive for us pre-season.
The ref? Just another lower league official who will never see Premiership action. On the subject of the ref, should he have cautioned the keeper for the penalty incident?
I thought KR gave his best (or least embarrassing in any case) post match interview. Praised all and sundry and was spot on in his assessment of Bradbury Jr. - clearly still very raw but the fact that he got stuck in to both central defenders and when there was a bit of a melee, was straight in amongst it, is promising in my book. Also what KR said about 'untidy' players struck a chord with me.....Beano couldn't trap a bag of cement and Danny Hylton was all elbows and shins....two strikers in our most recent past that have gained 'hero' status. If Bradbury can get anywhere near them, then he will do for me.
I'm sure Bradbury will too after a few more minutes than 30.They also scored goals, which was nice.
Pretty much agree with that summary Paul, particularly your comments on Bradbury. If anything Hanson had more of an impact. Much has been made elsewhere of Holmes departure and whether or not he was annoyed. If he was, I suspect it was more frustration at the limitations his injury is putting on his game time and also the fact that it must restrict his ability on the pitch. Whatever it was he didn’t have the best of games and possibly won’t make Tuesday.
His anger was about coming off not his injury issue.
I agree with Paul.I'm sure Bradbury will too after a few more minutes than 30.
I agree with most of your view of the game, except your view that Bradbury wasn't mobile or quick...I thought he was both of those and most definitely mobile.
You really do want to push this theory don’t you. For what reason?
I noticed it and thought it was to receive treatment. Even if Holmes was annoyed it was the right thing to do by Robinson.
And I agree with you.I agree with Paul.
I don't think that Bradbury was particularly mobile or quick. He was aggressive and positive however.
And I agree with you.
Bradbury was aggressive, but in terms of winning headers or getting the ball under control and bringing others into play - no different to Smith. But of course he needs time and encouragement to help with his development.
I admit to being a bit nerdy about tactics and formations, but it is completely bizarre to me that the Oxford Mail say we played 433.
It was definitely 4141. Holmes and Browne were alongside Branagan and Henry, not Smith. So Smith (and Mackie and Bradbury) are very isolated with usually no one within 30 yards of them when they receive (or more accurately battle for) the ball. Mackie definitely makes the best of this difficult situation.
I know a lot of people don't like 4231, but at least it enables the central player in the 3 to play closer to the 1 up top. And possibly the the two wide players can as well.
But 4141 is certainly making us stronger defensively.
o receive and then do something with the ball and so try to do it all themselves. Or maybe that's u
I also get the feeling that Browne and Holmes have no confidence in Smith t
nder instruction from KR.
Re. Harvey Bradbury
It’s amazing what fans want to see from a promoted youth teamer. I recall Callum O’Dowda’s full debut against Charlton (I can’t remember if was in the FA Cup or League Cup … ?). He was reasonable and steady on the ball but clearly didn’t have the confidence or nous to beat his marker and played with a fear of losing the ball so he kept things very safe. Not a bad debut by any means but nothing more than a 6/10.
When I saw comments about him on the boards, you would have thought Ronaldo Mrk II had played. His debut was mythicised into one that was ‘fantastic’ by one poster. I had to remind them it really wasn’t. Generally, the OTT comments tend to come from players we’ve developed ourselves.
This is not to write Bradbury off – his size, scope and playing style make him sound like a real asset for the future – but it may go some way to explaining that some fans see what they want to see from a YTS player.
This. Is definitely a 4141. I *think* the idea is that the midfielders close the gap to frontman by carrying the ball more than usual at this level. We have talent in that midfield so makes sense. Unfortunately, totally agree that they seem to have little confidence in Smith and end up on a road to nowhere more often than not. There were a couple of times in the first half v Gills where Holmes couldn't hide his frustration with Smith and gave him an earful - nothing changed. Contrast with Sam Long who also got a bit of 'guidance' on where and when to run and reacted immediately. Credit to Smith for so obviously trying to adapt his game and working hard but he just doesn't look like a good fit for that lone role.