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

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, neophox said:

Yes he is here to learn and that's the problem ..we need players ready to compete 

The new Markanday. Too easy to play against. Turn him round and get him running into midfield until he loses the ball. They’ve all got him weighed up.

[philipl]

There are many words that can sum.up that performance - none of them polite.

What a contrast in second halves after Wednesday left me feeling exhilarated and optimistic..

Buckley would have been ok alongside Tronstad but Forshaw showed us why he is nowhere near selection at the club rock bottom of the league. Midfield melted to nothing.

I fear our play off hopes left the field with Tronstad.

[rigger]

2 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Curious to read that you think ACD is quick. He didn't take their LB on once because he was simply bigger, faster and stronger than him. 

Sadly he's a boy playing a man's game. 

The only pace in the entire squad is Beck.

[Exiled_Rover]

7 minutes ago, rigger said:

The only pace in the entire squad is Beck.

Brittain is decently quick too - we actually have really, really good FBs for this level. Everyone else though, yeah, plodding. 

[Exiled_Rover]

2 hours ago, broadsword said:

Best war film ever 😁 

 

The book by Geoff dyer about the film is a masterpiece too. 

 

But yeah, absolute craphouse showing today. How anyone, even guardiola , could get a tune out of that lot, I have no idea

Watched that yesterday because it was on iPlayer. What a great movie. 

[Exiled_Rover]

15 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The new Markanday. Too easy to play against. Turn him round and get him running into midfield until he loses the ball. They’ve all got him weighed up.

Didn't even need to turn him around today. Their LB simply stood him up and dared him to try and go around the outside. 

The lad bottled it.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

4 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Brittain is decently quick too - we actually have really, really good FBs for this level. Everyone else though, yeah, plodding. 

That was part of the problem, neither full back got forward much until the last ten minutes. I’d have considered a change of plan earlier. Sanderson on, three at the back, two wing backs getting forward. Or Sanderson on, Baath up front for the last ten minutes. Do something different, what we were trying wasn’t working. Lot’s to think about before Tuesday any way.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Didn't even need to turn him around today. Their LB simply stood him up and dared him to try and go around the outside. 

The lad bottled it.

He’s all left foot, it’s obvious what he’s going to try to do. Especially on the right wing.

[bluebruce]

33 minutes ago, rigger said:

The only pace in the entire squad is Beck.

I think Beck will be the next one to get injured if he doesn't get a rest at some point. Which he can't really for what, at least another month whilst Pickering is injured?

Gives his all, pacey and aggressive...it'll do a number on his legs eventually.

[simongarnerisgod]

3 hours ago, davulsukur said:

We all knew that without adequate, quick recruitment in January, injuries/suspensions would start to bite and result would slip. 

Today, having to bring on Forshaw for a large portion of the game is exactly why we'll fall away from this playoffs position. A Plymouth reject and he's now basically a starter for us. 

Horrific.

i don`t think he`ll do any starting after today,even garrett would be a better option than him, i can see  jrc  and buckley will be our midfield for the next few weeks,tbh i think our season has just ended with the tronstadt injury,he was holding us together

[martonrover]

1 hour ago, rigger said:

Is that your belief, or your hope ?

Belief.

I certainly don’t believe he’s a “yes” man.

I think he’s a very driven individual, and he will call out people who let him down, in private, if not in public.

[rigger]

6 minutes ago, martonrover said:

Belief.

I certainly don’t believe he’s a “yes” man.

I think he’s a very driven individual, and he will call out people who let him down, in private, if not in public.

I have yet to meet someone who is not a yes-man. It is just some people need more incentive, to say yes.

[martonrover]

1 minute ago, rigger said:

I have yet to meet someone who is not a yes-man. It is just some people need more incentive, to say yes.

Erm, ok.

[lraC]

8 hours ago, arbitro said:

A nice full English on the way down, a really comfortable drive and a parking spot three minutes walk from the ground - the day was good up to then and it went downhill very quickly after about 3.05 on when I was sure it was going to be a tortuous afternoon. And so it transpired. We were shockingly bad and for me only three players come away with any semblance of credit (Brittain, Hyam and Batth), the rest should be embarrassed. We lost too many individual battles all over the pitch and couldn't handle Oxford's movement as their players found space all over the pitch. In truth a 1-0 defeat was quite flattering to us and only in the last knockings did we apply any sort of pressure with a few corners and even then the delivery was poor. But a bigger blow could be losing Tronstad (a friend asked Eustace after the match how long he would be out and Eustace said 'a while' but he said Travis could be back for Bristol). With Buckley and Forshaw in midfield we were pedestrian and had no creativity whatsoever. My biggest frustration(apart from the result) was the performance of Cantwell. I don't like to hammer players but how on earth did he last the whole game today? He was shocking, a pouting show pony who simply wasn't anywhere near the standard I expect from a Rovers player. He looked lazy, lethargic and at times disinterested. Not a team player for me in a league where everyone needs to be. The number of times he lost possession and didn't seem interested in winning it back really riled me. His fancy flicks and little turns into trouble had me raging at times. Oxford fully deserved their win today and I'd be surprised if they haven't had a more comfortable game this season despite the narrow win.

It's back to the drawing board now but Eustace isn't being helped by the lack of transfer activity as his frustration appears to be growing. Oxford gave three debuts to January signings today so it can be done. We just have owners, advisors and executives who can't see the urgency. Shame on them.

We have owners, advisors and executives, who choose not to see the urgency!!

[Parsonblue]

I think yesterday's performance has been coming for some time.  The frugal approach to building a decent squad came back to bite us yesterday.  Many of these players are being asked to play every game whilst other clubs are rotating and resting players.  It's no surprise that we are now picking up injuries.  Trav and Tronstad have been outstanding all season but ultimately their bodies have paid the price of the demands put upon them.

After the opening few minutes yesterday is was obvious that this was a game too far.  Oxford had a couple of lively wingers who who caused us major problems.  It's the first time I've seen Beck taken apart so easily by a winger with genuine pace.  Brittain also struggled to contain his winger until the second-half when he got to grips with him.

Cantwell continues to be an enigma.  So laid back, when a bit of blood and thunder is needed.  There's no doubt that he's a clever footballer but he loses the ball in dangerous positions far too much for me.  He doesn't score nor does he create too much in the penalty area.  I can see why other clubs have opted to move him on as he definitely a luxury player.  I had hoped he would be what Duncan McKenzie was during our promotion season but so far I've been very disappointed in what I've seen.

Our attack looked shocking yesterday.  Makhtar was lucky not to be booked in the opening minutes for a blatant elbow when jumping with a defender.  I don't think it was intentional on his part but he is just so clumsy with arms and legs going in every direction at the same time!  Cozier-Durberry looked like a little boy lost and once Weimann went off we never really had anything to offer.  

I don't blame the players or the manager for yesterday.  We have reached a point where the players have given their all over the course of the season and need help.  Unfortunately, we don't appear to have the resources which are require to keep us competitive. 

We need reinforcements or the season will fall away.  At the end of the day the owners aren't leaving so whatever budget we have we need to make the best of it.  It's not easy and I don't envy the job that Gestede and his team have to do.

[Mattyblue]

Gestede has a job here he wouldn’t get near anywhere else, so I’m sure he’s happy enough.

[RevidgeBlue]

For all the feeble excuses being made on here about most transfer business being done at the end of the window, we needed reinforcements and improvement in certain areas at the start of it and it came home to roost yesterday.

[Waggy76]

10 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That was part of the problem, neither full back got forward much until the last ten minutes. I’d have considered a change of plan earlier. Sanderson on, three at the back, two wing backs getting forward. Or Sanderson on, Baath up front for the last ten minutes. Do something different, what we were trying wasn’t working. Lot’s to think about before Tuesday any way.

It is not the done thing anymore Tyrone, moving players like Keeley, Hendry and Samba up front to chase a game... Pep wouldn't approve! 

[RevidgeBlue]

17 hours ago, bigbrandjohn said:

God we will miss Trondstad if he is crocked. 

We've not been playing well with him in (only 5 points from 6 games in Travis's absence) so Tronstad's absence shouldnt make any further difference per se.

What a waste of a signing and money Forshaw looks.

[Mattyblue]

Maybe Trav and Tronstadt worked well as a partnership, complemented each others game, what you reckon? You think Trav would’ve had the season he’s had next to Baker or Buckley or Forshaw?

Edited January 19 by Mattyblue

[Cherry Blue]

If Buckley had a decent game yesterday, JE will make him captain on Tuesday. He was captain second half v Accy Stanley pre season but doesn't come accross as an enforcer.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, Cherry Blue said:

If Buckley had a decent game yesterday, JE will make him captain on Tuesday. He was captain second half v Accy Stanley pre season but doesn't come accross as an enforcer.

He’s not. He’s a liability when it comes to defending. His best position is playing just behind the “ strike force “. He looked our best player yesterday when he got further forward. Not saying a lot, I know.

[sharpysharps86]

21 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

If Buckley had a decent game yesterday, JE will make him captain on Tuesday. He was captain second half v Accy Stanley pre season but doesn't come accross as an enforcer.

Gotta be Danny Batth with the armband for me. Been a leader all season. Buckley is not a leader in the slightest.

[jim mk2]

52 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

We've not been playing well with him in (only 5 points from 6 games in Travis's absence) so Tronstad's absence shouldnt make any further difference per se.

What a waste of a signing and money Forshaw looks.

I wish you'd stop this constant criticism of Tronstad, Simon. He's a key player for us and he has a very important defensive midfield role in the team that no one else does better. The lack of points is down to an inability to score goals owing to a set of forwards who aren't good enough to play in the Championship

[Mattyblue]

He’s painted himself into a corner and just can’t put his hand up and say ‘yep, got that one wrong’. No, shame in it, we’ve all judged players too early, unfortunately once Rev gets an opinion in his head, that’s that.

Edited January 19 by Mattyblue