v Oxford United (a) - 18/1/25

[jim mk2]

Anyone going to this match?

The games are coming thick and fast at present and this follows quickly on from what hopefully will be a home win over Portsmouth and is a chance to glean what looks, on paper at least, another 3 points.

It’s a struggle to remember that many games against Oxford over the years but the one that stands out is the FA Cup fifth round tie at the Manor Ground in February 1964 when Rovers, then flying high in second place in the old first division, suffered a shock 3-1 defeat.

And it was a huge shock.  Oxford, captained by one Ron Atkinson, were in the fourth division and weren’t given a chance against an excellent Rovers side but outplayed us on the day. As a way of comparison it would be like Accrington Stanley beating Arsenal or Manchester City today. See YouTube footage below for those who want to see it - I can’t, I still bear the mental scars.

More recently and happily there was the memorable night when Rovers beat Oxford to secure promotion from League One at a packed Ewood. We missed that game but went to the away match at the Kassam  stadium when Rovers won comfortably. Payne was outstanding for Oxford that night and I was delighted when we subsequently signed him but he proved to be a bit of a flop - which shows what I know.

Our merry little group has decided to have another of our occasional days out and attend Saturday’s game and hopefully we’ll have a change of luck because we’ve yet to see Rovers win this season. The losing streak can’t last forever however so I’m going for  a hard fought Rovers 1-0 victory 

Word of warning for those thinking of making the journey. The Kassam is a windswept, soulless place made worse because, when we attended, for some reason the end behind one goal was entirely open with no spectators at all and making for a lack of atmosphere.  I believe that is still the case and stand to be corrected. But don’t let that put you off. The away support has generally been excellent this season. 

[Herbie6590]

There will be a “BRFCS massive” attending on Saturday together with Ryan from the Arte et Labore podcast 🙂 ⚪️🔵

@rog of the rovers @Roth 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, jim mk2 said:

Anyone going to this match?

The games are coming thick and fast at present and this follows quickly on from what hopefully will be a home win over Portsmouth and is a chance to glean what looks, on paper at least, another 3 points.

It’s a struggle to remember that many games against Oxford over the years but the one that stands out is the FA Cup fifth round tie at the Manor Ground in February 1964 when Rovers, then flying high in second place in the old first division, suffered a shock 3-1 defeat.

And it was a huge shock.  Oxford, captained by one Ron Atkinson, were in the fourth division and weren’t given a chance against an excellent Rovers side but outplayed us on the day. As a way of comparison it would be like Accrington Stanley beating Arsenal or Manchester City today. See YouTube footage below for those who want to see it - I can’t, I still bear the mental scars.

More recently and happily there was the memorable night when Rovers beat Oxford to secure promotion from League One at a packed Ewood. We missed that game but went to the away match at the Kassam  stadium when Rovers won comfortably. Payne was outstanding for Oxford that night and I was delighted when we subsequently signed him but he proved to be a bit of a flop - which shows what I know.

Our merry little group has decided to have another of our occasional days out and attend Saturday’s game and hopefully we’ll have a change of luck because we’ve yet to see Rovers win this season. The losing streak can’t last forever however so I’m going for  a hard fought Rovers 1-0 victory 

Word of warning for those thinking of making the journey. The Kassam is a windswept, soulless place made worse because, when we attended, for some reason the end behind one goal was entirely open with no spectators at all and making for a lack of atmosphere.  I believe that is still the case and stand to be corrected. But don’t let that put you off. The away support has generally been excellent this season. 

Just watched the film- we look off the pace all over the pitch. The two full backs in particular.

[because of boxing day]

Rovers full allocation for this was sold out 5 days ago!! I guess it must have been relatively small and unextendable but another excellent show of away day support. 

[oneandycrawford]

Hoping to go to this but will need to be in home section. Only very few seats available there as well. 

[Waggy76]

5 hours ago, because of boxing day said:

Rovers full allocation for this was sold out 5 days ago!! I guess it must have been relatively small and unextendable but another excellent show of away day support. 

About 1200, I have one to collect tomorrow bought it a week ago... Surprised we  sold out 5 days ago.. 

[Waggy76]

5 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Just watched the film- we look off the pace all over the pitch. The two full backs in particular.

I was there when Jimmy Quinn scored the winner, FA Cup 4th round replay...1985 or86

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

33 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

I was there when Jimmy Quinn scored the winner, FA Cup 4th round replay...1985 or86

Mm, I still don’t feel any better.

[DeeCee]

1 hour ago, Waggy76 said:

I was there when Jimmy Quinn scored the winner, FA Cup 4th round replay...1985 or86

So was I and USA Rover.

[simongarnerisgod]

the other stand at the kassan stadium is a car park

i remember their old stadium,the ramshackle manor ground and it`s massive slope,i was fortunate to be there to witness garners last goal for rovers in a 1-3 victory🙂

[philipl]

I had a good record attending in person at the Manor- one defeat (3-0 I think) and the rest were wins. I listened to that FA Cup tie on the Radio lying ill in bed with tonsilitis. Didn't get any better!

We should have a decent chance of getting all 3 points but we should have beaten Hull at Ewood...

[berkshireblue]

My son was born in Oxford so supports them, rovers his 2nd team, so I regularly take him to the Kassam

Could not believe this sold out in 5 days in January! So I dont have a ticket

Anyone have a spare I can take off their hands

I usually drive and use the sports bar in the retail bar for beers, no colours allowed if away fan and keep relatively quiet

If you are on the train, the wetherspoons near the castle is a good place to drink as both bus companies have stops outside to the ground

Beware if you get a return it is only valid with that particular bus company so get singles same price and doubles your options

Get off in Blackbird lees with the hordes and walk through a car park to the away end

Alternatively one bus stops outside the main stand so just walk pass the stand less end to the away end

[DeeCee]

Get tickets in the home areas, you obviously have history there?

[Waggy76]

3 hours ago, berkshireblue said:

My son was born in Oxford so supports them, rovers his 2nd team, so I regularly take him to the Kassam

Could not believe this sold out in 5 days in January! So I dont have a ticket

Anyone have a spare I can take off their hands

I usually drive and use the sports bar in the retail bar for beers, no colours allowed if away fan and keep relatively quiet

If you are on the train, the wetherspoons near the castle is a good place to drink as both bus companies have stops outside to the ground

Beware if you get a return it is only valid with that particular bus company so get singles same price and doubles your options

Get off in Blackbird lees with the hordes and walk through a car park to the away end

Alternatively one bus stops outside the main stand so just walk pass the stand less end to the away end

What is street parking like ?

[arbitro]

36 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

What is street parking like ?

It pretty much non existent unless you get there really early. There is some parking on the road in to the ground but it's always been taken when I've got there. There is a huge car park pretty much behind where we are sitting but it's a nightmare getting off. In the two times we've been recently it's taken between 45 minutes and an hour to get off. The silver lining to that cloud is that it's free 😁. I was told of a residential area if you go past the ground but checking on Google it appears to be residents only.

[Waggy76]

30 minutes ago, arbitro said:

It pretty much non existent unless you get there really early. There is some parking on the road in to the ground but it's always been taken when I've got there. There is a huge car park pretty much behind where we are sitting but it's a nightmare getting off. In the two times we've been recently it's taken between 45 minutes and an hour to get off. The silver lining to that cloud is that it's free 😁. I was told of a residential area if you go past the ground but checking on Google it appears to be residents only.

Thank you for the info . I will do some online investigating 

I don't mind a walk depending how bad the weather is.

Edited January 15 by Waggy76

[arbitro]

57 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

Thank you for the info . I will do some online investigating 

I don't mind a walk depending how bad the weather is.

The forecast is for a dry but cold day.

[oldjamfan1]

On 14/01/2025 at 17:39, Waggy76 said:

I was there when Jimmy Quinn scored the winner, FA Cup 4th round replay...1985 or86

I was there that night. I seem to remember Billy Hamilton the ex Dingle was up front for them and Gennoe saved a pen? The draw for the next round had already been made and so the prize of a home tie against (ironically) Ron Atkinson's Man Utd was the carrot. It was a great night. Oxford were on their way to the top flight at the time and I'm sure got promoted that season?

[simongarnerisgod]

6 hours ago, oldjamfan1 said:

I was there that night. I seem to remember Billy Hamilton the ex Dingle was up front for them and Gennoe saved a pen? The draw for the next round had already been made and so the prize of a home tie against (ironically) Ron Atkinson's Man Utd was the carrot. It was a great night. Oxford were on their way to the top flight at the time and I'm sure got promoted that season?

i think from hazy memories oxford won the league,with man city and birmingham also promoted (last season before the introducation of the play offs) we finished 5th after being top at christmas😒

on saturdays game,weiman may need a rest after starting the last 2 games,we should release the mak on oxford,he deserves a start

[Aqualung]

6 hours ago, oldjamfan1 said:

I was there that night. I seem to remember Billy Hamilton the ex Dingle was up front for them and Gennoe saved a pen? The draw for the next round had already been made and so the prize of a home tie against (ironically) Ron Atkinson's Man Utd was the carrot. It was a great night. Oxford were on their way to the top flight at the time and I'm sure got promoted that season?

Im sue Billy Hamilton got injured in the warm up and didn't feature in the game. My first visit to Oxford. 

[roversfan99]

Important that we go again at the weekend, Oxford arent packed full of quality even if Rowett has given them a bit of a bounce. With the quick change around and with the starting 11 struggling before some of the subs helped to turn the game, changes based on selection could freshen us up. Hedges and Buckley need dropping and Gueye and ACD deserve a start.

Pears

Brittain Hyam Batth Beck

Tronstad JRC

ACD Cantwell Weimann

Gueye

[philipl]

Although they have had an extra day recovery and it wasn't a bruiser by all accounts, at least Oxford also had a midweek game.

[47er]

Oxford's last 5 matches---3 wins and 2 draws ----better than ours last 5 by some way! So let's not assume anything!

Edited January 16 by 47er

[BlackburnEnd75]

                     Pears

Brittain.  Hyam. Batth. Beck

             Tronstad  Buckley

ACD.          Cantwell.      Hedges

                  Leonard

   (Gueye for Leonard early 2nd half)

Subs: toth, sanderson, JRC, Forshaw, weimann, dolan, gueye + 2 young lads.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

All games are tough at this level. I just think we’re more suited to playing away than we are playing at home. Some decisions for JE to make regarding selection. There are at least three players in my opinion that played themselves out of selection at a normal club. If we had decent replacements they’d be on the bench for me. The experiment with Weimann was a failure and I don’t think Gueye is a starting player. Maybe it’s time to give Leonard another go up front although I’m not a fan. Bring the big guy on later if need be. 
Buckley isn’t Travis, playing in that role doesn’t suit him, for me he’s either a Cantwell stand in or a bench player. In the first half last night we had all three central midfield players all playing mainly in our half and we just couldn’t get forward momentum.  We could give JRC a game there or start with Forshaw,, depending on his fitness levels. 
Hedges was completely ineffectual on Wednesday night, as was Dolan if we’re being honest however I don’t think ACD is a starting player either.

I wouldn’t like to in JE’s shoes selecting the team for Saturday.