Home Match Thread Oxford United v Burton Albion · League One · Sat 12 Sep, 15:00

[Northstandboy]

 

[werthersoriginal]

We were very competitive with Hull, who (with admittedly some new players) are now competing at a much higher level, so maybe we did have the players to do a bit better?

I think we could do it on occasion but not as it turned out when it mattered. But I was talking more about the really fast and skilful attackers you’d meet every few weeks.

 

[QR]

Like many others I thought the scoreline flattered us over the 90 mins. The clear difference between the teams was that we took our chances.. when we eventually created them. Then I watched the Sunderland v Arsenal game tonight and have listened to the praise going Arsenal way for a not too dissimilarly (is that a word?) balanced game. Knowing how to win counts a lot and Ramsey seemed to know.

 

[Eric Blair]

Jacket,or no jacket?

Did you wear a jacket in the end?

 

[Marked Ox]

Did Burton realty create that much? It was tight until we made the subs to open it up then blew them away but I didn’t think they did a lot. Most teams win games in their good spells, that’s just what we did today.

Can think of 2 good saves by Easty, a 1 on 1 in the 1st half and a good save from a long range shot in the 2nd. The highlights on ITV also showed an effort that just went wide.

 

[QR]

Did Burton realty create that much? It was tight until we made the subs to open it up then blew them away but I didn’t think they did a lot. Most teams win games in their good spells, that’s just what we did today.

Thought Helik showed his worth again today saying that, mopped up attacks before they got to dangerous, the stats with him in the team, 3 wins in 3 games, only conceded once, are so strong that he must be one of the first names on the team sheet.

They got themselves in very good 'situations' numerous times when we were on the back foot praying they'd mess up. Which they did.

 

[Gordon]

We are going to see a lot of good front lines. Kabia and Wareham for example started like a house on fire.

How do we fix that?

Think McDonnell will be key in those sort of games, like he was against Leicester last week. He had a bit of an off day today and Ramsey made the right decision to take him off and go a bit more attacking in the last 20 mins.

Might be a case of risk vs reward. Teams who attack us will leave more space for the likes of Massanga.

 

[Common Villager]

Did Burton realty create that much? It was tight until we made the subs to open it up then blew them away but I didn’t think they did a lot. Most teams win games in their good spells, that’s just what we did today.

Thought Helik showed his worth again today saying that, mopped up attacks before they got to dangerous, the stats with him in the team, 3 wins in 3 games, only conceded once, are so strong that he must be one of the first names on the team sheet.

No, but there were three or four occasions that I can recall where they had numbers and should have created something. They wasted a number of good opportunities and I think it reinforces the quite stark drop off in quality from the Championship where teams were much more clinical in those moments.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]

Think McDonnell will be key in those sort of games, like he was against Leicester last week. He had a bit of an off day today and Ramsey made the right decision to take him off and go a bit more attacking in the last 20 mins.

Might be a case of risk vs reward. Teams who attack us will leave more space for the likes of Massanga.

I don't think the role McDonnell was asked to do suited him today. He was often the most advanced of the midfielders sometimes joining the front three. He's a holding midfielder best.

 

[Slade Yellow]

Wow! What a turnaround!

I said Dembele was a joke, and let’s be honest, he often has been, but if he plays like he did in the 2nd half today more often, then the joke will be me and all the opposition this season!

The introduction of the subs completely changed the dynamics of the game, with an injection of pace, urgency, link up play and determination to go on and win the game.

I’ve been critical of Goodrham for a while, and if we’re honest, it’s been deserved, he’s been poor for a long time, but he was superb when he came on, his link up and creativity and passing was superb, and his link up play with Massinga is very exciting to see!

As for Massinga, he’s a joy to watch! Always looking to attack, also plays some lovely quick thinking forward passes, and gets stuck in as well. Brilliant to see!

Helik was superb, with some great tackles, blocks, and control from the back. He’s top drawer at this level.

Kioso is also a revelation this season, he’s looking quality defensively and was particularly good going forward supporting Massinga in the 2nd half.

O’Donkor is a force at this level, strong, powerful and a real handful for centre backs.
Took his goal brilliantly, and brings a whole new dynamic when he’s on the pitch.

Harris is so much better in the no10 role, when he’s not wrestling the centre back just looking to win free kicks the whole time, when he’s plays deeper and actually gets on the ball, he uses it really well and does lots of good work, and I think the short spell after GOD came on and Harris dropped deeper and got more involved with possession play, and pressing in deeper areas, it totally changed the dynamic of the game, and allowed us to take control.

And a final word for Simon Eastwood. At 37, having barely played for a few seasons, to come in and be as solid as he has been is a joy to see!
I always felt he was unfairly criticised towards the end of his days as our No1, and it’s great to seen him doing so well, against all expectations.

After such a poor first half, the 2nd half was much better, showing a mix of resilience, quality and desire to up our game, our intensity and determination to make things happen and get the result.

Well done Aaron and the lads!

If you watched the pre-game warm up today a vast improvement was introduced.
When was the last time you saw the reserves fully included with a fast paced team warmup, that’s pure professionalism at work, something that brings teamwork, togetherness and a winning mentality.
We now have at long last a winning professional coaching set up, something never seen before at OUFC and long may that continue to bring the success we long for.
Exciting times ahead indeed!

 

[Wallop]

The latter, and he deserves HUGE credit. I thought we were genuinely insane letting Ingram move on. Easty is actually like a fine wine, he gets better with age.

That’s two positive posts in an hour……Who are you and what have you done with @greatunclekip

 

[Newbury yellow mk 2]

Did you wear a jacket in the end?

Went for a hoodie,kinda too much especially when celebrating the goals

 

[Osleroad]

QUOTE="Mojofilter, post: 1240032, member: 36"]
Is Cumming still not up to full strength, or is Easty actually just keeping him out of the first team on performances
[/QUOTE]
That is possible like Ramsey said to keep the energy going but my son said Cumming seemed to be testing his muscles in the warm up so maybe a bit if borh

 

[greatunclekip]

That’s two positive posts in an hour……Who are you and what have you done with @greatunclekip

I have always posted praise when it’s due, I just don’t tolerate s**t as a lot of my fellow fans do, and they choose to skip over my positive posts

 

[TobyDavis34]

If you watched the pre-game warm up today a vast improvement was introduced.
When was the last time you saw the reserves fully included with a fast paced team warmup, that’s pure professionalism at work, something that brings teamwork, togetherness and a winning mentality.
We now have at long last a winning professional coaching set up, something never seen before at OUFC and long may that continue to bring the success we long for.
Exciting times ahead indeed!

This is a very interesting point.

All our managers - I would say going back a long time - have been managers rather than ex-pros, and certainly not at the level Ramsey is at. I think having a manager with that level of experience and quality is invaluable*

So maybe the details that are around in the top leagues / clubs that make those sides as effective as they are, have been introduced - maybe on a smaller scale.

There’s three major factors at play over the last couple of games

- we have got rid of the dead wood, and rotten wood, that would bring overall squad morale down.
- we clearly have a strong squad quality-wise for this level and league one is clearly a vastly weaker league than the champ (and I’d argue the weakest it’s been for a few seasons given there’s no big spending Wrexham or Birmingham for example)
- Aaron Ramsey - and his coaching setup - is showing he could be a top top manager and is making a real difference.

*This point doesn’t include Wayne Rooney

 

[QR]

Aaron Ramsey - and his coaching setup - is showing he could be a top top manager and is making a real difference.

This is completely out of order. People might be listening!

 

[derek]

Is Cumming still not up to full strength, or is Easty actually just keeping him out of the first team on performances

I think it's a bit of both, groin strains can be a pain in the a**e (or nearby) and I think they're looking at the international break to get Cumming 100% fit. But if Easty had a mare, he'd be dropped, I'm sure.

 

[Jimmy P]

Interesting ! Who is Boris

I was a founder member going back to 1981 on leaving Oxford school. I was with the club until I was 29 when injuries got the better of me. Originally we were Oxford Comets before being sponsored by John Avery and entered the Sunday League. Our greatest results were probably beating Cold Arbour 3-1 and OUFC supporters club 5-1. By the mid 90s it was pretty much over. If you were early 90s then we must have played together. I was mainly striker but also goalkeeper when we were short. If you know me that should give it away really.

I’m not aware of any Spackman lads playing for the Arrows tbh . Woodley brothers yes. I’m not sure we played together Boris, cos I have a lot of the records of the club still with me, and left back was one position taken by only two or three players over my years. Saying that I didn’t play much early 90s due to injuries. Towards the end we did have Paul Cread playing occasionally (different level!!). There is one lad I’m thinking though who worked at OUFC that maybe is you and did play for the Arrows (Andrew?). I saw “you” at the City v United game when Des was in charge.

Sorry all, off topic …

Oxford arrows, I played two seasons mid 90s near the very end - a couple of absolute spankings - I played in Goal and same as Oxfordarrows9 (who I think I know) I don’t believe the two Spackman brothers played for them

 

[Mad Dog]

If you watched the pre-game warm up today a vast improvement was introduced.
When was the last time you saw the reserves fully included with a fast paced team warmup, that’s pure professionalism at work, something that brings teamwork, togetherness and a winning mentality.
We now have at long last a winning professional coaching set up, something never seen before at OUFC and long may that continue to bring the success we long for.
Exciting times ahead indeed!

I did notice that!

I also noticed the huge improvement in the shooting practice during the warmup as well.

There was no trying to blast it into the top corner, then finding it funny when it ended up nearly taking someone’s head off in the back of the east stand, every player was focused, and pretty much every shot was buried.

Little things like that show the difference in mentality among the players, and is good to see.

The last time I saw the players so collectively focused, and with such a togetherness, was during the MApp era, one of the eras I look back on most fondly.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

 

[Grumpy Git]

Wouldn’t it be great if Aaron Ramsay went to visit him

What was said? Link?

 

[Village-Yellow]

Agree with all the comments from everyone else on here.

At 70 mins it felt like 0-0 or a sneaky goal either way. Whilst it wasn’t an easy watch at times, I felt they came for a draw or a smash and grab and made life difficult.

However, the substitutions were utterly inspired, and in particular the impact from Tyler was instant. Excited for him again if this is what AR is going to be getting out of him.

They had absolutely no answers once we got into our stride .

The signs are looking really positive on the pitch. Let’s hope the positivity is matched by better news off of it very soon.

It’s early days and another tough encounter on Saturday. I would expect Cambridge to also be an awkward encounter but I am sure the players and AR are learning together very quickly.

Just a quick mention for GOD hitting the bar too. That was another well worked opportunity with Mo doing yet again great work. Lovely turn by GOD, just so close to what would have been another great goal.

You really do realise what such a tough watch last season was and how much enjoyment had been sucked out of match days.

Looking at the bigger picture maybe dropping back has not been such a bad thing at the moment. Hopefully coming back reenergised with a much stronger structure.

Oddly worried about the lifting of the embargo upsetting things. Seems a barmy thing to be thinking, but it’s a long way off and by then no doubt AR will know exactly what will be required.

 

[Yellows1]

A few moments of quality in a mire of sh1te serves only to paper over the cracks. We need to be better.

That’s football, even the best of the best have off days,, we still won!!!

 

[OtteryYellow]

Fantastic result! It was a tough match and one that was rather scrappy but after some frantic end to end football, we found that quality though smart substitutions and players who never gave up. 3-0 was probably flattering but we just don't stop at 1-0 like we have done with previous managers and it makes for exciting finales. We've looked exceptionally strong today and the MK Dons game in the last 20 which has been so refreshing and this is off the back of very smart decisions made by Ramsey. So much more interesting that Rowett bringing on Placheta for Mills in what was so predictable and tiresome.

On another day, Burton could've quite easily gone ahead but we have such a good mentality and a manager that really gets the best out of players, that we could've easily got back into it. The defence also worked incredibly hard with some last-ditch blocks and forcing players wide.

Not going to Indonesia also helps with the last 20 bit. Thinking back, that may well be the decision that cost us our championship status.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Not read through other posts yet, but the squad in L1 are going to be very, very hard to beat.

The time being afforded to us, the lack of quality up front from our competition is something else. The second half performance was excellent, Ramsey’s changes were well timed and so effective.

I’ve been hard on Goodrham, but his through ball to Missanga for the first goal was excellent . I also said that Sibley was a “walking red card” but he took his goal so well.

I don’t think Burton were great, but it’s hard not to be excited after a 0-4 away win followed by 3-0 home win. I particularly liked that Ramsey “went for it”. In all our time in L1 and L2 we had managers that would sit back on 1-0 and see it out. We didn’t.

Time to enjoy it while it lasts!

Yes, hit them while they disorganised and have to press us for a goal.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

The U’s third goal was very much like the Yellow Arrows - it was a superb passing sequence with Goodrham at the heart of it.

It was a marvelllous goal finished by O’Donkor.

Win again tomorrow and Jerome might start calling us the yellow arrows again

 

[RgYellows]

Good post. I agree. The gap in the general standard is huge. Pretty sure their number 17 did two or three laps of our penalty area with the ball and it never ended up in our net. When Toure (Norwich) or Latte Lath (Middlesbrough) got that kind of room then we were picking it out of our net sooner than you can say 'argh that was way too easy!'.

This is so true. Also in the first half, every time they completed a lay off from the striker back to the CM and had a player running in from wide outside Kioso. Two or three times they failed to complete the final pass, including within the first two or three minutes - Norwich or Middlesbrough would have found themselves one up and coasting within a few seconds.

The most telling gulf in class for me though is how neither MK or Burton had anything left in the tank after about 55-65 minutes and just had to retreat back.

Funny to see teams time wasting at 0-0 again. Championship teams didn’t timewaste even if they were 1-0 up at our place.

 

[Billyox]

What was said? Link?

It was guy called malcolm he was in the john Radcliffe recovering from major surgery
He was praising Ramsey

 

[PottersRightBoot]

Probably the most surprising aspect of our renaissance is the reemergence of Eastwood. Calmness personified.

5 in the match day squad came through the academy. And there are more coming through. So pleasing. Three of them are already valuable assets.

A satisfying but not untroubled win. Well done lads.

You’re bailing that off field shower out. With that in mind were any directors at the game yesterday?

Who’s doing the meet and greet for the opposition these days?

 

[Maurice Earp]

Yet bar Lankshear, that was the team we were asking to compete with the Championship finest.

I disagree with you. Several players including Mills, Vaulks, Cummings and De Keersmaecker (when fit) made the team much stronger.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

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