Oxford Thread

[Larry Lobster]

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod

same 11 for me as well. Play your strongest side BUT if a player isn't performing as well as he could for whatever reason then you have to leave him out. That was the issue with Jimmy Ryan a few games ago. He looked like he was carrying a knock but played through it. but for those few games he looked off the pace. The quesiton is whether a part fit Jimmy Ryan is still better than what we have on the bench? Or whether it is worth the gamble that he might get further injured and play no part in the future games?

Yesterday was a game where too many players didn't get the chance to influence the game, such as Craney. Is that an ideal opportunity for Razor to come on and try to secure a new contract? You've got to worry that Coley perhaps doesn't rate certain players and that they won't get any chance at all unless we lose various players this summer - and then we are left with unrated players who mightn't be that inclined to play for us.

Some interesting thoughts there. I'm not sure what Razor's mind set must be at the moment. He must surely be thinking that his future at Stanley is in doubt, along with Andy Parkinson, Chris Turner, Andy Owens, Jon Bateson and several others who seem to have been completely overlooked in recent weeks.

Stanley will have quite a few sought after players in the summer, and should we stay in league 2, I can see several of the "star" players being lured away with the promise of better money that is garaunteed to be paid on pay day.

I wonder if the same will apply to the manager.

[Redraine]

Very poor coverage on here, missing most of our efforts on goal.

BBC Sport - Accrington 0-0 Oxford

[choirboy]

Lots of interesting discussion going on! Isn't it great to be talking serious tactics with a real chance of taking part in the play offs! Who'd 'ave thowt it at start of t'season ehh? I agree that both Macc and Oxford seemed to have a plan to close us down and Macc did so particularly effectively. However, in both games we still had enough chances to win both games fairly comfortably. At this stage of the seaason the weather becomes a factor too. It could be that some players are looking a bit tired and we have played lots of matches since the New Year, probably more than any team in our division. If you played football at a half decent standard you might remember how temperatures even of around 15 deg C can radically effect how you play... Certainly our high tempo...covering the ground... running into spaces...high passing rate style of play can be affected. I agree with some observations that using subs could/should be an option at this time of the year. Clearly when one or two players appear to be suffering a bit after 10 to 15 minutes in the 2nd half then we should make some changes. Players like Putterill, Boluding, Turner etc must be champing at the bit to get on and have a crack at showing the managers and fans what they have to offer. Putterill in particular could have provided an explosive change of pace and in my opinion would have seriously challenged the defences of both Macc and Oxford. I too would keep starting with same eleven but would welcome some earlier use of the subs to maintain the pressure on opponents. Let's all keep positive and get right behind the boys!! Come on you REDS!!

[Whalley Red]

I agree with the weather factor, but mainly in that it has had the pitch quite firm and fast. Particularly in the middle of the pitch, the problems that we had with the pitch earlier this season have caused it to become uneven and so Luke Joyce's first touch couldn't be as confident as in previous matches.

I don't think that Oxford 'did a number' on us more than any other team, but whereas Joyce has been a relevation in his 'fulcrum' role this year, that extra second to bring the ball under control on Saturday allowed the Oxford players to close him down / close down his options. We were nowhere near as effective as a result.

[cashman]

whatever state the pitch is in, its same fer both sides,so aint n argument i buy into.

[maccawozzagod]

its a perfectly valid argument Cashy. If one team is particularly adept at playing fast free flowing football but the extra touch slows everything down then the advantage is lost is it not?

[cashman]

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod

its a perfectly valid argument Cashy. If one team is particularly adept at playing fast free flowing football but the extra touch slows everything down then the advantage is lost is it not?

it is macca, but yeh must surely have a PlanB to adapt to varying surfaces?

[maccawozzagod]

plan B is to flood the pitch before kick off

[football19]

looked like plan B was to get the ball forward (long ball) earlier and hunt the second phase/knock down ball,which may explain quite a few goal mouth scrambles etc..
The pitch did have a big infuence on the game,with both sides not wanting to give posession away in there own half.
Thought they had a first class watering system now?,or has it been cut of due to non-payment of bills LOL

[sparkie]

no the watering system is definately in place as I'm sure the oxford sub who got a face full of sprinkler jet water at half time on saturday will attest to!! I have not laughed so much at a football game in a long time!!! lol