[Archived] Oxford Away Fa Cup 4Th Round

[arbitro]

Really good performance today with so many pleasing aspects, aspects which we have been missing for a long time. We pressed all over the pitch and didn't let Oxford get into their passing game. We were solid and had good shape, the tempo was really good and we looked fit. Special praise from me for the three debutants who were comfortable with the system. Quite often managers talk about players taking time to settle. These three hit the ground running and in the case of Jackson and Ward no doubt helped by the fact they have worked with Lambert previously.

And I have to praise Hanley (who I have been critical of him in the past) who was imperious today. He has really flourished under Lambert and his fitness level has played a big part in this I believe.

[Mike Graham]

I see Oxford have 21 Corporate boxes sponsored. How many do we have this season, is it 0 or 1 ?

[Parsonblue]

Impressive peformance today in what could have been a difficult tie. Very impressed with Jackson who gave us pace up front, something we have lacked for so long. Ward looks a very composed defender who uses the ball well and linked well with Hanley - who was outstanding. At times we played some very good football and seemed to be getting away from the hopeful punt upfield. Long balls, when they were used, tended to be played for Jackson to use his pace to get behind the defence. This was the most encouraging performance that I've seen for some time albeit against very poor opposition.

[oldjamfan1]

Really good performance today with so many pleasing aspects, aspects which we have been missing for a long time. We pressed all over the pitch and didn't let Oxford get into their passing game. We were solid and had good shape, the tempo was really good and we looked fit. Special praise from me for the three debutants who were comfortable with the system. Quite often managers talk about players taking time to settle. These three hit the ground running and in the case of Jackson and Ward no doubt helped by the fact they have worked with Lambert previously.

And I have to praise Hanley (who I have been critical of him in the past) who was imperious today. He has really flourished under Lambert and his fitness level has played a big part in this I believe.

That sounds really encouraging Tony, thanks. Glad you and all the travelling Rovers were rewarded for your endeavours.

[chaddyrovers]

Thanks to ParsonBlue and arbitro for the comnents they have made.

Can I ask what you thought of Tony Watt's debut? What type of player is he?

[Ewood Spark]

Really liked the look of Ward. He reminded me of a young Glenn Keeley.

[yoda]

Really liked the look of Ward. He reminded me of a young Glenn Keeley.

That'l do for me

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I've just seen the goals on YouTube. Jackson's every touch was jeered after the opener. Never been a more clear cut penalty. Embarrassing for the Oxford fans.

[Stuart]

if he made goals himself and scored them as well, he WOULD have been in the PL years ago Stuart.

I'm sorry Stu, but Rhodes is all about making good contact with the ball in the area. He very rarely mishits a shot or snatches at a chance - but making things happen apart from that - no, can't agree.

Ergo that must mean you believe he has had good service.

No, can't agree.

[Mike Graham]

Thanks to ParsonBlue and arbitro for the comnents they have made.

Can I ask what you thought of Tony Watt's debut? What type of player is he?

Both reports are spot on.

As for Watt he is aggressive, skilful, fast and just the sort of 100% player we have been crying out for. He also teamed up well with Simeon Jackson. The two of the them have the potential of being our most inspired signings for some time. You would have enjoyed it Chaddy.

[arbitro]

Thanks to ParsonBlue and arbitro for the comnents they have made.

Can I ask what you thought of Tony Watt's debut? What type of player is he?

I think all 1500 Rovers fans were encouraged by Watt today. I believe that to play in the number 10 role you have to be a really clever player, much like Sheringham was. I think Watt has this and coupled with his undoubted talent Lambert might just have unearthed a diamond. He doesn't appear to be particularly quick but good reading of the game more than makes up for that. He was taken off after 60 minutes when I thought he was starting to look tired but no doubt Lambert will be looking to improve this in the next few weeks.

[den]

Ergo that must mean you believe he has had good service.

No, can't agree.

Why do you think Lambert wanted to sell him Stuart? Why do you think Scotland won't play him? Why has no one in the PL apart from Steve Bruce come for him? The answer is obvious.

[chaddyrovers]

Thanks for the replies Preston Blue and arbito.

Like the sound of Watt already

[bluebruce]

Notice how Watt's goal came from him pressing the defender and forcing him into a mistake. Not saying Rhodes wouldn't have done that, but Rhodes wouldn't have done that.

First one. One at 30 seconds, and the following one.

[Mike Graham]

Thanks for the replies Preston Blue and arbito.

Like the sound of Watt already

He is electric.

[DE.]

Hopefully Ward and Hanley become our regular centre back pairing. I'd be quite content never hearing about or seeing a Shane Duffy attacking header again.

[watford-rover]

Hopefully Ward and Hanley become our regular centre back pairing. I'd be quite content never hearing about or seeing a Shane Duffy attacking header again.

Agree with that, ward looked miles better than Duffy today and actually had a header on target and forced their keeper into a save.

[Amo]

First one. One at 30 seconds, and the following one.

Not the same. First one was an unforced error that Rhodes pounced on, while the other was a mistake between the defender & the goalie. Show me where Rhodes harries a defender in losing possession and scores from it.

[47er]

if he made goals himself and scored them as well, he WOULD have been in the PL years ago Stuart.

I'm sorry Stu, but Rhodes is all about making good contact with the ball in the area. He very rarely mishits a shot or snatches at a chance - but making things happen apart from that - no, can't agree.

If Rhodes is as good as some say, why can't he get into a very poor Scotland team? Hanley, after all, is a regular.

[Tom]

Not the same. First one was an unforced error that Rhodes pounced on, while the other was a mistake between the defender & the goalie. Show me where Rhodes harries a defender in losing possession and scores from it.

I remember a couple at the darwen end when a defender was trying to shepherd a ball out and on two occasions he knicked it off them

What we couldn't do isn't relevant now, he scored goals and whoever or however we need to replace that, if we can add more all round game as well then brilliant but the main task is scoring as many or more than when he was around.

[garnersfags]

If Tony turns out to be one thousand times better than we hoped he will be Tony KiloWatt.

His ex-manager, angry at his weight-gain also called him Tony KiloWatt

When he fulfills his potential against Burnley, he'll be Tony MegaWatt

Then when he corpses in the post-match interview, he'll be Tony GiggleWatt

And finally when he's famous for frightening the life out of Premier League defenders, he'll be Tony TerrorWatt.

Happy now? Barrel scraped. Sorry.

.....and wrong thread.....

[Butty]

Think if we'd have lost today after hearing the news of Rhodes leaving last night this message board would have gone into absolute meltdown! Relieved we won today and comfortably too, Rhodes is a top man and I wish him all the best, but I may be mad in thinking that we will be okay without him, 1 or 2 players in on monday and we'll see what we can do for the rest of the season, but as Lambert has said it will be in the summer we do our proper business, I've said before I have faith in him to get it right here and I'm still 100% behind him. Rhodes could have forced a move through in any of the last couple transfer windows but he has stayed a true professional and I admire him for that, and for me I think it was time we let him go and I hope he takes his chance in the Premier league if/when it comes. Personally, I can't wait for this season to be over and for next season to start, total rebuild this summer and a new look Rovers to take the league apart next season. You Bluessssssssss

[bazza]

I'm looking forward to listening to the chant "Tony Watt; he scores when he watts"

And next Christmas we'll be "walking in a Watty wonderland".

[LewisF]

You'll never guess who was last on MOTD lol

[Stuart]

Why do you think Lambert wanted to sell him Stuart? Why do you think Scotland won't play him? Why has no one in the PL apart from Steve Bruce come for him? The answer is obvious.

1) £££

2) Strachan is probably as belligerent about it as you are. Had he qualified for the Euros - like other nations with poorer players than he picked - then he might be considered as a good judge. As it is his dropping of Rhodes didn't result in qualification. (Although I do suspect that had he actually have been Scottish then he would have been a regular).

3) We aren't in the PL so why would I care about whether Rhodes is good enough for the PL?

You've at least been consistent over this one den so you are entitled to stick to your guns. We will never agree though. My bigger beef is the rewriting of history in terms of what Rhodes has done for Rovers just because he has left. It's churlish.

I'm looking forward to listening to the chant "Tony Watt; he scores when he watts"

And next Christmas we'll be "walking in a Watty wonderland".

Or by then it could be "who was that player that we almost signed permanently last season? Scored his only goal on his debut in the cup".

Let's watt and see.