[Archived] Oxford Away Fa Cup 4Th Round

[Paul]

I've long past the stage where I'm going to believe in a new dawn on the basis of a 3-0 and 2 minutes 30 on YouTube but I can't recall a recent game when we did produce 2.30 minutes of pacey football so this has to be a big positive.

Very pleased to see the very positive reports from knowledgeable people like Parsonblue and arbito.

Really looking forward to the Hull game so I can see for myself. That and the anticipation of being in the 5th round draw.

[matt83]

I could only really remember the palaver vs Millwall under Appleton's reign but yesterday Oxford reminded me of how we were under him. In that they looked threatening and dangerous but ultimately nothing ever came of it. I can't believe they had more than a couple of meaningful shots all game.

Obviously for them to be near the top of league 2 and in the semi final of that milk float vans trophy thing its working better there than it did here. But yesterday we were more street wise, drew their players in to make clumsy challenges to get cheap free kicks, got stuck in where necessary and slowed the game to our tempo when needed.

Poor opposition so not getting too carried away but for all we are still devoid of any quality there were signs we are up for the fight.

[AlanK]

I really enjoyed the game.I don't get to see Rovers very often these days.One thing that did get on my nerves was just how often Burnley are mentioned.At least every other song is about them.We shouldn't give them so much attention.

[jim mk2]

Just had a laugh, was reading the Daily Fail (only one available in Pub!)

Head Line on page 15: "Rhodes Race Row Grows At Oxford"

I started thinking there was some scandal with JR's transfer to Boro. However on further reading, turns out Oxford Uni Students are up in arms about a statue of Cecil Rhodes.

Headlines eh!!

The Rhodes statue at Oxford university is staying, while the Rhodes statue who played for us has gone.

Seriously though, we looked so much better up front yesterday with all the pace and and movement that's been lacking for so long.

They were "only" a League Two side but they've been playing well and we didn't give them a sniff.

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

I preferred the older Keeley, who was an excellent defender for us. The young version was a reckless, dirty hot-head,

[RoverCanada]

Great game and atmosphere. Oxford fans were shut up pretty quick! Expectations need tempering when it's a League 2 side, but certainly a needed result given the events of the prior evening! Other than a shaky period in the first half, we were pretty dominant all game and Oxford hardly offered anything going forward.

Ward was excellent. Not so sure he should replace Duffy (as frustrating as his headers can be, it's hard to disagree with our top-5 defence this year...), but he absolutely puts pressure on Hanley-Duffy and clearly replaces Kilgallon. Shrewd signing if that's the case.

Watt has a way of 'battling' when he dribbles. Not the silkiest feet, but he doesn't give up the ball easily and it was refreshing to see a forward player turn with the ball and attack so willingly. Very encouraging.

Marshall's certainly waking up.

Conway and Spurr seem to be gaining an understanding, though the latter's touch tends to fail him when they're attacking the box together. Spurr's actually been quite willing to go forward, but he's ultimately a decent Championship fullback that we probably need to improve on if we want to get promoted. Decent cover anyway.

I don't know if Jackson quite has breakaway speed anymore, but he knows how to run the channels and was terrorizing the Oxford CBs all game. I doubt he'll score too many goals for us (it must be said he missed a sitter of a header, though I suspect a man of his size was surprised at having such a clear header!), but if he keeps earning fouls like he has (teeing up both of Marshall's goals, and he probably deserved a penalty against Charlton too), then he'll do great as an impact sub.

Lenihan and Evans both kept it tidy and quiet in midfield. Didn't provide much going forward, but they didn't need to with Watt-Jackson causing havoc and Bennett/Marshall/Conway bombing down the wings. Evans can be frustrating when he doesn't engage (quite good at tracking back and being the first line of defence in front of the CBs, but then not actually closing...), but I think he's our best player at settling a ball down and getting things going with a tidy pass. We definitely need a creative no. 10 type to break through sturdier defences and/or when a 4-4-2 isn't working.

[Stuart]

I really enjoyed the game.I don't get to see Rovers very often these days.One thing that did get on my nerves was just how often Burnley are mentioned.At least every other song is about them.We shouldn't give them so much attention.

Spot on Alan. Every home game (when we actually sing) is the same. Yet Burnley barely mention us in their songs (aside from their no nay never cover).

I wish we had more songs about Rovers being great and less about Bumley being @#/?. Even if it's a touch ironic at the moment.

More people may even join in if we did. Especially with a little less swearing!

[Jim Royle]

Well yesterday I saw some pace up front that stretched the opposition and thereby creating space behind AND some assuredness at the back.

Jackson was excellent, Watt linked stuff fairly well and Ward was a brucie bonus on my expectations.

The negatives have to be Bennett, whom I have yet to see influence a game, and Spurr who is a jobbing left back that is not up scratch.

I do think that selling someone as influential to our team and how it is set up like JR, is significant enough to state it is the end of one era and the start of a new one. It started well yesterday.

[oldjamfan1]

The Rhodes statue at Oxford university is staying, while the Rhodes statue who played for us has gone.

I preferred the older Keeley, who was an excellent defender for us. The young version was a reckless, dirty hot-head,

While slightly harsh, that first sentence made me chuckle, funniest thing posted on here (among some other gems) lately.

The Keeley comment is absolutely spot on and I was going to post similar. If you're looking for a comparison to the younger Keeley, look no further than Duffy (a point I made during an earlier reposte with JAL).

[47er]

We say that Oxford are only a Div 2 side but they beat Swansea didn't they?

This was a real banana skin game and I would have been happy just to win.

But we didn't just win, we did it comfortably. Some revenge at last for 1964!

[jim mk2]

Duffy's crude like Keeley but is a saint by comparison with his tackling. Keeley also developed into a good footballer whereas I'm not sure Duffy will - the skill just doesn't seem to be there and he doesn't kick the ball properly (fairly basic). Ex-players will know what I mean.

Any way back to Oxford and sweet revenge for 1964.

[windymiller7]

Well yesterday I saw some pace up front that stretched the opposition and thereby creating space behind AND some assuredness at the back.

Jackson was excellent, Watt linked stuff fairly well and Ward was a brucie bonus on my expectations.

The negatives have to be Bennett, whom I have yet to see influence a game, and Spurr who is a jobbing left back that is not up scratch.

I do think that selling someone as influential to our team and how it is set up like JR, is significant enough to state it is the end of one era and the start of a new one. It started well yesterday.

Exactly. Whilst I loved Rhodes, we need to move on. My daughter was devastated at Rhodes leaving. I texted her a score update yesterday whilst she was out playing, it just said 'Rovers winning 2-0. Marshall pen & Tony Watt. Jordan who?'.

I think we all need to engage in this new era.

Would love a prem team at home next round. Let's see if we can repeat last season's efforts.

[Stuart]

Duffy's crude like Keeley but is a saint by comparison with his tackling. Keeley also developed into a good footballer whereas I'm not sure Duffy will - the skill just doesn't seem to be there and he doesn't kick the ball properly (fairly basic). Ex-players will know what I mean.

Any way back to Oxford and sweet revenge for 1964.

Lesley would struggle to stay in the field in the modern game. Do you think he could have adapted?

I think we all need to engage in this new era.

Would love a prem team at home next round. Let's see if we can repeat last season's efforts.

Same. Anyone know when the draw is? Today or tomorrow?

[oldjamfan1]

Duffy's crude like Keeley but is a saint by comparison with his tackling. Keeley also developed into a good footballer whereas I'm not sure Duffy will - the skill just doesn't seem to be there and he doesn't kick the ball properly (fairly basic). Ex-players will know what I mean.

Any way back to Oxford and sweet revenge for 1964.

All modern footballers are saints compared to their predecessors when it comes to tackling. The game has changed so much since Glenn's day.

Lesley would struggle to stay in the field in the modern game. Do you think he could have adapted?

Same. Anyone know when the draw is? Today or tomorrow?

Today (6pm ish)

[LewisF]

Id rather get a championship/lower league team if possible, just want to see us get as far as we can. You never know If We get the preferable draws We may even find ourselves in the semis, or more! And then there's the tv money too

[jim mk2]

All modern footballers are saints compared to their predecessors when it comes to tackling. The game has changed so much since Glenn's day.

Today (6pm ish)

Keeley was rough even by 1970s and 1980s standards.

I don't know whether it's been noted but Oxford defender Joe Skarz, who gave the penalty away yesterday, is a big Rovers fan.

:lol:

http://thefl72.com/2015/12/04/joe-skarz-wants-blackburn-rovers-next-round-fa-cup/

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Keeley was rough even by 1970s and 1980s standards.

I don't know whether it's been noted but Oxford defender Joe Skarz, who gave the penalty away yesterday, is a big Rovers fan.

:lol:

http://thefl72.com/2015/12/04/joe-skarz-wants-blackburn-rovers-next-round-fa-cup/

Odd, the lad comes from Huddersfield according to Google. Looks a proper 4th tier Centre Half as well.

I remember Keeley upending Luton's Lou Fuccillo(sic) head first into a frozen Ewood pitch. The game was on MOTD and the late Jimmy Hill had a right go at him causing my dad to launch a rolled up Sports Pink at the TV.

Keeley was a bloody animal at times and a 'they shall not pass' defender of a bygone era.

[tomphil]

Loved Keeley when I was a kid and was gutted for him that his big move to Everton didn't come off although he made a right balls of it lol An absolute beast on the pitch but the nicest most laid back guy you could meet in person. Rum lad as well in his time

[johnradfordsubbuteo]

Joe skarz maternal grandad was a local barclays bank manager round here who was a rovers fan, ergo Joe went with him every week.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Odd, the lad comes from Huddersfield according to Google. Looks a proper 4th tier Centre Half as well.

I remember Keeley upending Luton's Lou Fuccillo(sic) head first into a frozen Ewood pitch. The game was on MOTD and the late Jimmy Hill had a right go at him causing my dad to launch a rolled up Sports Pink at the TV.

Keeley was a bloody animal at times and a 'they shall not pass' defender of a bygone era.

The Fuccillo incident was a pure accident, he went over Keeley's shoulder going for a high ball. My first reaction was that he could be dead, the way he came down head first onto a frozen pitch. Luckily he eventually staggered off to be subbed.

I've seen a few tackles in a Rugby League were something white flew out and I was thinking it was a players head. In the old winter rugby days when seeing clearly could be difficult.

[bluebruce]

"And earlier in the day midfielder Hope Akpan picked up a knee injury which meant Rovers only were able to name six substitutes for the third time this season."

Third?! Newport and Oxford, but when was the other? It's really unacceptable and unprofessional for us to let this happen three times in a season. I know six is plenty to be getting on with, but we should be maximising every possible advantage. They need to take more lads to away games.

[tomphil]

Brighton away was a bit of a fiasco with the subs. Can't rem the other.

[McClarky]

Keeley - always remember his "tackle" on Bobby Davison of Derby. "Clattered" was how the commentator described it. A classic.

[arbitro]

At Brighton two players were taken ill (Henley and Lowe ircc), at Newport Williamson did a hamstring in the warm up and yesterday Akpan was injured. Interestingly though yesterday we had all three keepers warming up before the game. It is poor that we don't seem to take spare outfield players to use in emergencies.

[Tom]

At Brighton two players were taken ill (Henley and Lowe ircc), at Newport Williamson did a hamstring in the warm up and yesterday Akpan was injured. Interestingly though yesterday we had all three keepers warming up before the game. It is poor that we don't seem to take spare outfield players to use in emergencies.

Well we did have Rhodes with the squad as well till Friday night which then left us with 7 subs and then Akpan got injured

[arbitro]

Well we did have Rhodes with the squad as well till Friday night which then left us with 7 subs and then Akpan got injured

It took us three hours to drive to Oxford yesterday. Surely a couple of spare players could have done the same.