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Post by mayland0s on Nov 13, 2023 10:50:31 GMT
Drinan and Piggott played really well today and Ruel took his goal well. I felt sorry for Brynn, whose done really well so far this season. We've got to allow a blip occasionally. I also thought Theo and Jordan looked tired, but Richie and co have recognised this and the postponed PV match will give them some rest. I agree with other posters that the defence were well challenged today. Oxford's forward line and midfield were class and (unfortunately) a joy to watch. But it's season one in League One and we're continuing the theme from last season. Teams like Oxford, Portsmouth, Bolton and Derby are going to exploit the lad's vulnerabilities. The number of times the ball was knocked past Theo, Jordan, Ruel and Happe and the speed of their forwards was special. It's a great learning experience and the way they almost rescued a lost cause really brought the fans behind them. It's a good morale booster for the next series of games. Really good post Nick and spot on . Like you I do believe our lot are working hard but teams like Oxford are well in front of us but I do also question RWs tactics a bit just lately . |
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Post by dohnut on Nov 13, 2023 13:25:05 GMT
The game highlights where we are strong and where we are not. Squad-wise we are good but not good enough to seriously challenge at the top end. But given it’s our first season back in league 1 we are doing Ok. Cannot understand anyone being disappointed.
What we lack is squad quality and experience we are making up for in fighting spirit. Credit to the way the club is run. I also feel we are on a steep learning curve and that applies to RW and his team of coaches as well as the players. We are playing cautious football which is frustrating at times and maybe understandable with a fairly young squad.
This season is about consolidation. After a sticky start we have established ourselves as a team that is not easy to beat but by the same token maybe not good enough to win too many either. Sure we have suffered injuries but I doubt we are alone in that. Par for the course and something we need to deal with.
Our style of play allowed us to dominate last season, but not this. We need to be quicker both when on the ball and moving forward. The difference between league 1 and 2 may not be massive but in a sport with fine margins the difference shows. Think quicker.
All in all Oxford showed what a good league 1 team looks like. The difference was clear.
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U's Fred
Nov 13, 2023 16:22:22 GMT
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Post by Thor on Nov 13, 2023 16:22:22 GMT
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Post by redintheface on Nov 13, 2023 17:05:08 GMT
Yes a genuine question I agree. Equally would any of the top six teams transfer bid for any our forwards? Unfortunately, we are what we are this season. With Agyei absent, we have little quality up front and very limited options. Having not seen Agyei in an O’s shirt as yet , I’ll hold off on making any judgements on how good he is and to what extent he may improve our options until I’ve seen him. Building up too many hopes on a bloke that’s been absent from football for five months seems a bit of a stretch imho. |
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Post by Ramrod on Nov 13, 2023 18:13:44 GMT
Unfortunately, we are what we are this season. With Agyei absent, we have little quality up front and very limited options. Having not seen Agyei in an O’s shirt as yet , I’ll hold off on making any judgements on how good he is and to what extent he may improve our options until I’ve seen him. Building up too many hopes on a bloke that’s been absent from football for five months seems a bit of a stretch imho. |
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Post by Ramrod on Nov 13, 2023 18:20:34 GMT
Unfortunately, we are what we are this season. With Agyei absent, we have little quality up front and very limited options. Having not seen Agyei in an O’s shirt as yet , I’ll hold off on making any judgements on how good he is and to what extent he may improve our options until I’ve seen him. Building up too many hopes on a bloke that’s been absent from football for five months seems a bit of a stretch imho. I didn't say he was the next Haaland. But this guy was our lead signing, he looked good to me last season, and plenty is expected of him not least by Richie. |
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Post by redintheface on Nov 13, 2023 19:18:24 GMT
Having not seen Agyei in an O’s shirt as yet , I’ll hold off on making any judgements on how good he is and to what extent he may improve our options until I’ve seen him. Building up too many hopes on a bloke that’s been absent from football for five months seems a bit of a stretch imho. I didn't say he was the next Haaland. But this guy was our lead signing, he looked good to me last season, and plenty is expected of him not least by Richie. I guess the point I’m trying to make is contained in the words of your last sentence- “ plenty is expected of him”. Given the awful start he’s had here and his time out of the game I genuinely think it’s asking a lot of him to be projected as some kind of saviour as some ( not you personally) might expect.👍 |
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Post by mayland0s on Nov 13, 2023 21:35:23 GMT
I didn't say he was the next Haaland. But this guy was our lead signing, he looked good to me last season, and plenty is expected of him not least by Richie. I guess the point I’m trying to make is contained in the words of your last sentence- “ plenty is expected of him”. Given the awful start he’s had here and his time out of the game I genuinely think it’s asking a lot of him to be projected as some kind of saviour as some ( not you personally) might expect.👍 Absolutely correct . |
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Post by dohnut on Nov 13, 2023 21:46:05 GMT
Unfortunately, we are what we are this season. With Agyei absent, we have little quality up front and very limited options. Having not seen Agyei in an O’s shirt as yet , I’ll hold off on making any judgements on how good he is and to what extent he may improve our options until I’ve seen him. Building up too many hopes on a bloke that’s been absent from football for five months seems a bit of a stretch imho. Massive stretch. His scoring record in league 1 is modest. 9 in 75 to be precise. Now coming off the back of a serious injury. Graham is a far bigger loss. Yet despite this we play Archibald as a wing back! Then wonder why with all our possession we create naff all up front. Dick around followed by hopeful punts form part of our game plan and Agyei coming back will help a little. But let’s not put too much pressure on him too soon. He will add to the team but is not a miracle worker. At times we revert to Embletonball. Whilst we have possession the opposition can’t score. Trouble is neither can we. |
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Post by dohnut on Nov 13, 2023 21:47:01 GMT
And Stevenage worst possession stats. Interesting. Not how much ball you have it’s what you do with it. |
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Post by redshank on Nov 14, 2023 11:48:43 GMT
And Stevenage worst possession stats. Interesting. Not how much ball you have it’s what you do with it. SHOOOOOOT. |
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Post by dohnut on Nov 14, 2023 13:08:12 GMT
And Stevenage worst possession stats. Interesting. Not how much ball you have it’s what you do with it. SHOOOOOOT. Of you don’t shoot, you don’t score. Own goals apart. it can be hugely frustrating that on the few occasions we get into decent positions our primary game plan is to dick about and go backwards. Almost like the team are afraid. We are not a team that creates lots of chances and, unlike last season when we were spoilt with a good number of amazing strikes, defenders in league 1 are that bit better and quicker at stopping that. So that aspect has dried up almost. I don’t dislike us having decent levels of possession but patterns of play emerge, endless passing, going backwards, then a long hopeful punt that amounts to nothing. Hit and hope stuff. We are better than that. |
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Post by redshank on Nov 14, 2023 16:13:33 GMT
Never mind any shot at goal,even a misguided or deflected shot can cause a problem.Not fond of the lean backwards over the bar shot at goal.A knee high shot at free kicks seem the better option.Bagatelle style.
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Post by mayland0s on Nov 14, 2023 21:34:37 GMT
In terms of goals hardly any have come from MF and to be honest neither James or Theo have added anything to the pot but I am surprised that Graham hasn't managed one yet and obviously wont now . We seem totally reliant on Ruel and he is not exactly prolific . I cant see El miz scoring many or Jordan Brown to be honest .
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Post by Nick312 on Nov 14, 2023 23:09:10 GMT
I didn't say he was the next Haaland. But this guy was our lead signing, he looked good to me last season, and plenty is expected of him not least by Richie. I guess the point I’m trying to make is contained in the words of your last sentence- “ plenty is expected of him”. Given the awful start he’s had here and his time out of the game I genuinely think it’s asking a lot of him to be projected as some kind of saviour as some ( not you personally) might expect.👍 I understand the concern over making him a "saviour". However, I don't actually thing we need one. |
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Post by redintheface on Nov 15, 2023 14:14:11 GMT
I guess the point I’m trying to make is contained in the words of your last sentence- “ plenty is expected of him”. Given the awful start he’s had here and his time out of the game I genuinely think it’s asking a lot of him to be projected as some kind of saviour as some ( not you personally) might expect.👍 I understand the concern over making him a "saviour". However, I don't actually thing we need one. So much the better! |
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