Matches "Give it a miss' ?.

[Carpy]

I’ll most certainly be there tomorrow.

I love my football club and regardless of the manager/players/board of directors I will always love watching OUFC.

Besides, there is a movement happening and there will be audible chants of ‘Robinson out’ from the SSU throughout the afternoon. Those that wish for change HAVE to make their voices heard.

Enough excuses, enough egotistical nonsense and enough of Karl Robinson

Prawn sandwiches to be launched in the direction of Karl from the SSU

 

[OX14]

well now i've read it all, if our manager,any manager not just Karl said this he would be slated.

Going intot he game people stated they had started well but because we turned them over with ease, it's because they played midweek.

Oh and that's not forgetting that some fans focus was only 2 goals conceded because that fits agenda rather than we blew them away inside 30 minutes.

Those who don't like or want the Manager we get it but let's have some balance.

Dont forget, we lost the second half 2-1! One half of good football doesn't hide away we have been below par the rest of the season.

 

[horseman]

Dont forget, we lost the second half 2-1! One half of good football doesn't hide away we have been below par the rest of the season.

I rest my case

but we only scored in the last minute against little Cambridge yep but we won

we only drew against a struggling charlton

well we may have blown Exeter away who were in fair form prior to the game but it's because they played midweek and anyway we lost the 2nd half.

Only on here

You couldn't make it up

 

[Essexyellows]

That doesn't sum it up for many people, since our gates are decent (10K last week) and are bigger than when we were at the Manor.

Our fans need to be mainly locals, not sour old ex fans who live in the provinces.

10k for a local game and 8,600 went home disappointed and likely won`t be back for a while.

"Sour old ST holder" if you please and there are many of us.

 

[EastStandKieran]

I rest my case

but we only scored in the last minute against little Cambridge yep but we won

we only drew against a struggling charlton

well we may have blown Exeter away who were in fair form prior to the game but it's because they played midweek and anyway we lost the 2nd half.

Only on here

You couldn't make it up

I agree with what your saying a win is a win whether we played crap or were amazing it's 3 points in the bag BUT since that win we've lost to Sutton

 

[bazzer9461]

well now i've read it all, if our manager,any manager not just Karl said this he would be slated.

Going intot he game people stated they had started well but because we turned them over with ease, it's because they played midweek.

Oh and that's not forgetting that some fans focus was only 2 goals conceded because that fits agenda rather than we blew them away inside 30 minutes.

Those who don't like or want the Manager we get it but let's have some balance.

Get rid of the manager then we might get some balance

 

[OX14]

I agree with what your saying a win is a win whether we played crap or were amazing it's 3 points in the bag BUT since that win we've lost to Sutton

I disagree. Ian Atkins was a master of winning games by playing boring football and our attendances were shocking even when we were top of the league under him. Performance/style of play is as much of an importance than winning games. My son after the Cambridge game was like that game was awful and that's even after Goodrham smashed in a last minute winner.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

You don’t need to tell me what the York game meant - I was one of the people being told that we didn’t have a job anymore unless we won. Half the team was going to be let go, the manager was out the door and we were barely going to be a full-time club had that happened. Believe me, I know.

But that’s a different matter. You seem to be implying that anybody who thinks where we are now is a reason to be really concerned needs to get a grip, cos we were in the Conference once. That’s certainly how it comes across, and I think that’s quite wide of the mark and very dangerous in its complacency. I agree with you that I don’t think staying away really helps anyone or anything presently, but I think that dismissing why anybody might feel that down on going to games isn’t particularly helpful either. If people feel that way then something is wrong, and if something is wrong then it’s detrimental to the club’s well-being.

What I would say is that everything is relative - being in League One doesn’t magically mean that the issues the club faces now are somehow less serious than the ones they faced 12 years ago. Going bankrupt is going bankrupt, whether you live in a one bedroom flat or a five bedroom house. The end result is the same. I use that very loosely for the principle alone, by the way. We have things we need to do and obtain in order to survive, and that isn’t somehow less threatening, less serious or less concerning because we’re playing Derby rather than Droylsden these days.

We are fast approaching another crossroads, and at the moment we find ourselves barely above the relegation zone despite having a top six budget (again), a totally lopsided squad filled with players who either can’t get fit or aren’t good enough, and a manager who has had nearly half a decade to assemble it all who seems more interested in telling people how safe his job is than actually doing it. Meanwhile, a trickle of fans are now starting to say they don’t want to go to games, are turning up with signs and flags calling for the manager to go, or are admitting that losing games is something they now think might be the best thing if it forces change. It might not be buckets for staff, but that doesn’t mean it should be scoffed at either. A dam doesn’t break because of the last crack alone.

I personally think your posts are often quite important and help keep a bit of balance and perspective, so please don’t take any of this as me trying to talk down to you or anything like that, I’m honestly not trying to do that, I’m just a bit concerned that there are still a fair amount of people who don’t necessarily grasp where we are and what it means unless it turns around pretty quickly. Apologies if you don’t quite fall into that category.

I think we have the same concerns regarding the future of the club and how important this stadium issue is along with promotion and I completely agree the owners are here not for the club to stand still in league 1.
At the same time I don’t think it is the be all and end all if we don’t go up this season but we certainly need to be putting the building blocks in place to be a championship club.
This has started with the training ground but like I said on a thread I started yesterday, other aspects of the club need addressing ASAP.

Everyone has a choice whether to go to games or not. I understand if people feel disconnected from the club due to the lack of interaction we have been treated to for too long now. It is however an easy kop out to use the lack of entertaining football as an excuse. I’d understand it more if it was a few weeks ago but our last league game we won 4-2 like we were doing the last few seasons.

Even if I don’t understand some of the reasons people are saying why they don’t want to attend, I’d hope the staff at the club that read this Forum sit up and take notice as it should concern them that fans are losing interest.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

At the same time I don’t think it is the be all and end all if we don’t go up this season but we certainly need to be putting the building blocks in place to be a championship club.

I agree with this to a point. If we don't go up this year it isn't a disaster. But to not even be competing at the top end of the table and to be playing in the manner we are is very very concerning. Unfortunately many of the players who are at the club and are repeatedly injured for long periods, seemingly permanently out of form or just out of favour seem to have managed to pick up contracts that will last through next season as well. Unless there is the mother of all clear outs in the next two transfer windows (an expensive business if you are paying players off) we are going to be in a similar position then as well. I feel that the building blocks *on* the field have been very neglected - that may well be a symptom of how the club *off* the field is being run.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

At the same time I don’t think it is the be all and end all if we don’t go up this season but we certainly need to be putting the building blocks in place to be a championship club.

This is one of the reasons why I recently highlighted the state of the current squad, particularly in terms of player ages, ability and, most crucially, contract expiry. As it stands, at the end of next season a good 80% of the squad either retires or leaves on a free, if they haven’t already left this summer coming. I don’t think writing off this season and saying it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it turns into a year of nothingness is accurate when you dig into the details.

We’ve got a lot of work to do having made such a hash of this summer, because as it stands next season is already looking worrying. We literally need to sign ten starting quality players across the next two windows to be competitive next season, because even if we do finish mid-table this season, the squad gets worse by the summer.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

This is one of the reasons why I recently highlighted the state of the current squad, particularly in terms of player ages, ability and, most crucially, contract expiry. As it stands, at the end of next season a good 80% of the squad either retires or leaves on a free, if they haven’t already left this summer coming. I don’t think writing off this season and saying it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it turns into a year of nothingness is accurate when you dig into the details.

We’ve got a lot of work to do having made such a hash of this summer, because as it stands next season is already looking worrying. We literally need to sign ten starting quality players across the next two windows to be competitive next season, because even if we do finish mid-table this season, the squad gets worse by the summer.

As much as this summer’s transfers were a shambles and i think that reflects to how the club had got off the field I actually think the transfer window we really messed up with was the summer after losing to Blackpool in the play offs.
That side had 2 attempts at going up and had got even further away from going up than the first time. It didn’t need a mass overall which we do now but it needed tweaks and if we had then we wouldn’t have contract issues like Eastwood and Henry.

Robinson has his qualities and he has his faults and for me his biggest one is he is sometimes too loyal to players and ironically in being loyal, it could cost him his job. No other manager would of given a keeper who went from number 1 to being a number 2 that you couldn’t rely on 100% any more, a multi year contract. Nor would Henry of got a 2 year deal.

January is a massive window and it is a window that you either do 2 things as a club, you bring players in to get over the line this season or you bring in players to build a team around for the following season like we did with Browne.

Yes we need 10 ‘starters’ which sounds a lot but over 2 windows it is achievable but my god the recruitment need to pull their finger out their arses now.

 

[Oxford1996]

As much as this summer’s transfers were a shambles and i think that reflects to how the club had got off the field I actually think the transfer window we really messed up with was the summer after losing to Blackpool in the play offs.
That side had 2 attempts at going up and had got even further away from going up than the first time. It didn’t need a mass overall which we do now but it needed tweaks and if we had then we wouldn’t have contract issues like Eastwood and Henry.

Robinson has his qualities and he has his faults and for me his biggest one is he is sometimes too loyal to players and ironically in being loyal, it could cost him his job. No other manager would of given a keeper who went from number 1 to being a number 2 that you couldn’t rely on 100% any more, a multi year contract. Nor would Henry of got a 2 year deal.

January is a massive window and it is a window that you either do 2 things as a club, you bring players in to get over the line this season or you bring in players to build a team around for the following season like we did with Browne.

Yes we need 10 ‘starters’ which sounds a lot but over 2 windows it is achievable but my god the recruitment need to pull their finger out their arses now.

January is not a massive window if Karl is still in charge.

 

[Essexyellows]

10 "starters" over 2 windows based on KR`s previous achievements.................................

 

[Carpy]

Yes we need 10 ‘starters’ which sounds a lot but over 2 windows it is achievable but my god the recruitment need to pull their finger out their arses now.

The fact that anyone has HAD to say this though is just outright bonkers, the chances of finding 10 first team players who all work out is slim even with the best manager in the world in charge, complete with an endless supply of money

 

[Coffin Dodger]

This is one of the reasons why I recently highlighted the state of the current squad, particularly in terms of player ages, ability and, most crucially, contract expiry. As it stands, at the end of next season a good 80% of the squad either retires or leaves on a free, if they haven’t already left this summer coming. I don’t think writing off this season and saying it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it turns into a year of nothingness is accurate when you dig into the details.

We’ve got a lot of work to do having made such a hash of this summer, because as it stands next season is already looking worrying. We literally need to sign ten starting quality players across the next two windows to be competitive next season, because even if we do finish mid-table this season, the squad gets worse by the summer.

The worry is that most of the current squad are contracted for next season.

 

[Jerome'SAle]

What I would say is that everything is relative - being in League One doesn’t magically mean that the issues the club faces now are somehow less serious than the ones they faced 12 years ago. Going bankrupt is going bankrupt, whether you live in a one bedroom flat or a five bedroom house. The end result is the same. I use that very loosely for the principle alone, by the way. We have things we need to do and obtain in order to survive, and that isn’t somehow less threatening, less serious or less concerning because we’re playing Derby rather than Droylsden these days.

For my understanding - your view is that if we dont achieve promotion this year the owners will leave and we will be liquidated?

 

[Londonroader1]

I won't be there. I just can't be bothered travelling from New Zealand. Sign of the times, I guess .

Me neither, although the flights are cheap as. Its the other end I cant afford ! Bloody public transport unreliable and expensive!

OUFCX

 

[RyanioBirdio]

For my understanding - your view is that if we dont achieve promotion this year the owners will leave and we will be liquidated?

No. That’s far too blunt and immediate.

My view is that we are currently in such a mess that both this season and possibly even next season are in danger of being written off as non-events, which based on what the owners have said publicly would put us well behind schedule and potentially harm the application for the stadium. Bakrie already went on camera last November and said that it’s really important to the success of the application that we are pushing really, really hard for promotion to bolster it. He literally said that the best scenario is that when the application is submitted, we are riding high in the table and looking like promotion contenders. He’s on camera saying that, and with time ticking away we’ve also been told that the application is intended to be formally lodged by the end of this calendar year, yet we find ourselves barely above the relegation zone. It’s really not good. This was not the plan.

Councils and local planning committees across the country are changing rapidly and becoming increasingly liberal / green due to the political landscape, so we are going to need to work hard to push this through, and one of the main arguments used against it will be that the level the club is at, and the size of crowds, don’t justify a second new stadium in just over 20 years. At the moment, arguing with them would be tricky. We cannot justify this project if we are viewed as a club struggling to stay in the third tier, despite being bankrolled to high heaven. We need to be banging on the door of the Championship with good crowds and looking as though we need a new home to be allowed to grow and fulfil our potential. That’s why the board has given the club the biggest budget in its history since January. It’s all linked - we aren’t supposed to be here. The money they have spent and that has failed to be spent by others is just enormous. They’re doing it for a reason. This is the time.

The scenario you paint is far too sudden, but struggle this season and leave ourselves in a bad way going into next season and it’s going to be seriously unhelpful to the board’s aims. 18 months’ time is when it becomes a really big issue. At that point we will know if the stadium is happening or not, and if it isn’t then we will be two years away from potential homelessness, and the board will have nothing to gain from owning the club alone, and covering losses of millions per year. A Championship football club with a new stadium to play in is the only play, for everybody. We need to get there fairly quickly, but we need to look as though we are on the move now. Right now.

The next two transfer windows will play an absolutely enormous part in what happens. Whoever is trusted with them holds an awful lot in their hands. That worries me. A lot.

 

[christenedinjericho]

Probably agree with most of what this birdio geezer has written in his post as I've been been bending peoples ears on a similar scale for the last 2/3 seasons.

If you are present at the ground tomorrow I'm the geezer sat unashamedly on my own in the North Stand with no one else to share any spittle with - I'm that enchanting.

This club to succeed in a decent planning way should of by now been meddling at least around in the top eight of the table. The plan has hacked somewhat spectacularly.

I'm not saying the saloon door is the last chance but the next three games will go along way in choosing whether the saloon door is still on anywhere but the right hinges and I'm planning on seeing all three and tbh I'm not holding my breath.

270 minutes of playtime between Peterborough and Bolton and the vision one way or another will have changed.

COYY'S

 

[Jimmycarterxi]

Watching my boy play footy tomorrow morning, then home for some lunch. He will be buzzing for the Oxford match and wanting to get to the ground ASAP. Perfect Saturday for me

 

[Mad Dog]

We’re utter shite this season, and painful to watch, and I’m sick of having an arrogant, egotistical, stubborn, clueless clown in charge of our club.

But managers come and go (hopefully sooner rather than later) and as unhappy as I am with the way things are going at the moment, it’s an Oxford United home game, on a Saturday afternoon, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Although on current form, I might need a few cups of coffee to help me stay awake!

 

[uptheus]

We need to get the chants going all around the ground tomorrow if the board need abit of persuasion that is fans aren't happy then we need to show them we want Robinson out we want Robinson out karl Robinson get out of our club your getting sacked in the morning sacked in the morning

No

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

Watching my boy play footy tomorrow morning, then home for some lunch. He will be buzzing for the Oxford match and wanting to get to the ground ASAP. Perfect Saturday for me

Similar but my boy is training tomorrow morning then all ready for the match

 

[uptheus]

I was a season ticket holder when we got relegated to the conference, I was a season ticket holder in the conference seeing us lose to part time teams in league games let alone a cup game and I’m still a season ticket holder now.
Part of the fun of the good times is actually enduring the not so good times and the absolute s**t times.
Everyone has their reasons but if the breaking point is starting a league 1 campaign off poorly and bobbing about mid table then i struggle to understand why you support a lower league team.

It’s your fault then!

 

[headingtonoldboy]

Despite everything, I support the club not the manager as I have been doing for the last 50 years. OUFC is in my soul and always will be. I will be there tomorrow cheering on MY football club.

 

[holdsteady]

If I don’t go to football I will have to do some shite around the house to stop it falling down (that will happen eventually so why bother) so I will be going to the game.

 

[Oufcrealist]

I was a season ticket holder when we got relegated to the conference, I was a season ticket holder in the conference seeing us lose to part time teams in league games let alone a cup game and I’m still a season ticket holder now.
Part of the fun of the good times is actually enduring the not so good times and the absolute s**t times.
Everyone has their reasons but if the breaking point is starting a league 1 campaign off poorly and bobbing about mid table then i struggle to understand why you support a lower league team.

We should be doing better no argument. The manager has messed up big time, end of that's it.

 

[Discoland]

Not here for any individual, here for the club. Missed Wycombe at home, better performance please. Up the f*****g Ox.

 

[chuckbert]

I won't be there. I just can't be bothered travelling from New Zealand. Sign of the times, I guess .

You can nip over to Perth to watch on Ifollow if you fancy.

 

[Bigfella72]

I’m expecting a much more open game today as Peterborough aren’t a “Wycombe” type of team.
We will probably play our best 90 mins of the season but still lose. Will that please the doom mongers or will they fixate on the loss