10 is the magic number
Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:07 am
Can we get a player sent off every game? It seems to help no end! What a remarkable run of form we're on. Almost the exact opposite of the first dozen or so games of the season. Six weeks ago I would never have believed that we would have cemented a top-half finish by Easter. In fact I had us about even money to go down before that Bradford game. Football eh?
Before the season started, when Robinson was beasting the players in the summer heat and making them play two games a day, he said it would mean we would finish the season strongly when others were flagging, and that certainly seems to be the case. Next year there needs to be some happy medium that means the players aren't out on their feet until mid-October though.
I feel very uncomfortable with being able to watch live-streamed football at will, but I guess it's the future, and having decided a couple of weeks ago not to make the long Bank Holiday journey to Shrewbury, I succumbed to temptation and shelled out a tenner, so I'm pleased to say I was able to watch yesterday's frankly glorious win. The dodgy camera work and lack of replays was frustrating, but once the Radio Oxford commentary had synced with the pictures it was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Gavin Whyte - what a performance. Before the game I was surprised his name hadn't been mentioned more in 'Player of the Season' discussions, and yesterday only confirmed what a prospect we have. Better than COD certainly. Sykes I was less impressed with - he picked out a few nice passes, but might as well not have been there when Shrews were attacking, and that ridiculous lunge could have left us down to ten men even earlier. Dickie is looking really assured now, which is more than can be said of Curtis Nelson, whose application has generally been admirable for a soon to be out of contract player, but looked like he was already on the beach yesterday. Nico Jones looked very comfortable when he came on (a little too much at times), and the full backs also looked very solid, particularly Garbutt for a change. The togetherness and commitment of the squad is noticeable, and KR must take the credit for that.
Further forward was a bit of a mixed bag. Mackie was his usual self, often very entertainingly. RadOx's description of his 'cloak of invisibility' to referees was amusing, though he did get very belatedly booked. Carruthers and Graham combined nicely for the opening goal, but hardly touched the ball apart from that and the first half passed them by for the most part. Whisper it, but I've not been that impressed by Jordan Graham. He clearly has quality but can be infuriating in his decision making. We looked a lot more secure after Brannagan's introduction, and Hanson looked a lot better than when I've seen him before too.
I've only seen the red card decision once in real time (likewise the penalty), but Kashi was clearly inviting the ref to make a decision. Likewise Nelson appeared to have his hands in the back of his opponent in the area. Criticism of Mr Sarginson's consistency (or lack of) are certainly justified however - how did he find more added time in the second half than the first?
All in all a really encouraging display, but can we keep this team together and build on this progress? Can we even pay our bills to keep the club afloat?
Before the season started, when Robinson was beasting the players in the summer heat and making them play two games a day, he said it would mean we would finish the season strongly when others were flagging, and that certainly seems to be the case. Next year there needs to be some happy medium that means the players aren't out on their feet until mid-October though.
I feel very uncomfortable with being able to watch live-streamed football at will, but I guess it's the future, and having decided a couple of weeks ago not to make the long Bank Holiday journey to Shrewbury, I succumbed to temptation and shelled out a tenner, so I'm pleased to say I was able to watch yesterday's frankly glorious win. The dodgy camera work and lack of replays was frustrating, but once the Radio Oxford commentary had synced with the pictures it was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Gavin Whyte - what a performance. Before the game I was surprised his name hadn't been mentioned more in 'Player of the Season' discussions, and yesterday only confirmed what a prospect we have. Better than COD certainly. Sykes I was less impressed with - he picked out a few nice passes, but might as well not have been there when Shrews were attacking, and that ridiculous lunge could have left us down to ten men even earlier. Dickie is looking really assured now, which is more than can be said of Curtis Nelson, whose application has generally been admirable for a soon to be out of contract player, but looked like he was already on the beach yesterday. Nico Jones looked very comfortable when he came on (a little too much at times), and the full backs also looked very solid, particularly Garbutt for a change. The togetherness and commitment of the squad is noticeable, and KR must take the credit for that.
Further forward was a bit of a mixed bag. Mackie was his usual self, often very entertainingly. RadOx's description of his 'cloak of invisibility' to referees was amusing, though he did get very belatedly booked. Carruthers and Graham combined nicely for the opening goal, but hardly touched the ball apart from that and the first half passed them by for the most part. Whisper it, but I've not been that impressed by Jordan Graham. He clearly has quality but can be infuriating in his decision making. We looked a lot more secure after Brannagan's introduction, and Hanson looked a lot better than when I've seen him before too.
I've only seen the red card decision once in real time (likewise the penalty), but Kashi was clearly inviting the ref to make a decision. Likewise Nelson appeared to have his hands in the back of his opponent in the area. Criticism of Mr Sarginson's consistency (or lack of) are certainly justified however - how did he find more added time in the second half than the first?
All in all a really encouraging display, but can we keep this team together and build on this progress? Can we even pay our bills to keep the club afloat?