Mansfield

[A-Ro]

I thought they were a tough, hard running side who never seemed to give up the chase, even late into the game when it was obvious they had given their all and were out on their feet they were still dangerous on the break.

The stifled us in midfield by shutting down all the channels and only leaving us the opportunity to pass backward which kept the pressure on us.

There was an obvious tactic to pass the ball high to Green whenever possible, I'm not sure if this tactic was designed for this game only, if it was then the proper homework wasn't done becasue their left back dealt comfortably with that threat all night long.

I don't know whether it was Mansfield tiring inthe last 20 or us just wanting it more but I wish we'd played like that for a much longer period of the game - we would have come away with something. It could have coincided with their no. 17 coming off, he was a real handfull all night.

One good thing is that we lost on a night when most of our challengers either lost or drew.

[theox]

Well you have to lose at some point and at least only a few of our main rivals managed to pick up points.

I didn't go to the game (Jerome) but it sounded like we ended on a high which says a lot for the players' attitude and can only bode well for the rest of the season.

The pleasing thing so far is that we are generally seeing off the 'lesser' teams with relative ease and competing with the best teams (and also generally beating them at the moment).

As a side issue, I wonder how upset Luton fans are getting now?!? Welcome to the club boys!

[Isaac]

I didn't go Saturday but went last night - I thought we got bullied a little bit in the first 30 minutes (possibly not helped by the ref). We looked fine when we had the ball and still created some good chances but didn't match their work rate. Perhaps this is what Wilder thought might happen after Saturdays apparent stepping off the gas. It's a shame it took 2 goals for team to realise it. It's rare for Wilder to criticise publically (he didn't at Histon when we nearly through away a 3 goal and 1 man advantage), so hopefully the message

It felt a bit like a cup tie and I think Mansfield tired after all their initial effort as after that (and particularly the last 30 minutes) we were by far the better side. I don't think anyone should be too concerned by a one-off defeat as Mansfield are clearly a decent team, possibly a bit like our sides of the last couple of seasons, capable of some very good performances but looking at their season so far also capable of not turning up at all some days.

Other than Constable I was most impressed with Cook particularly when he moved to be 2nd striker and Clist went to the left. We went much more direct when Midson came on which I didn't really think would work, mainly because we always looked dangerous passing the ball on the floor, but it shows what I know as we scored, hit the bar and created numerous chances. I like Bulman too, not always noticeable but his energy burst immediately after we scored where he temporarily chased everything and threw himself around like a lunatic showed awareness of the game situation.

Other than that like at Wrexham I was impressed that the side still have that nasty element and are willing to stick up for each other (e.g. the 50/50 challenge where Murray injured himself, it's not hugely edifying, as it was a fair enough tackle but all 11 players got involved - in years gone by it would be 2 or 3 of them). Constable will get himself sent off at some point though.

[Myles Francis]

Well you have to lose at some point and at least only a few of our main rivals managed to pick up points.

Quite, and in some ways I'm actually pleased to get the first defeat out of the way.

[A-Ro]

The ref was a bit of an enigma with his lack of consistency and his obvious pre match decision that he was not going to blow his whistle for handball of which there were many including a possible penalty.

[GodalmingYellow]

It will be interesting to read Wilder's comments on this match, after the public slating on Saturday.

Let's hope this defeat doesn't turn into a string of defeats.

[Matt D]

I didn't go Saturday but went last night - I thought we got bullied a little bit in the first 30 minutes (possibly not helped by the ref).

same for me, but let's give mansfield some credit here: having won the ball through the bullying in midfield they moved the ball quickly to the wings, take on the full backs, and get the ball into the box. briscoe caused us all sorts of problems.

mansfield were much better than i'd expected, so how much of this game was a dip in performance from the real yellows, and how much was it that, as at wimbledon, a home team really put us under pressure and tried to get at us?

i was pleased that we continued to go for the game, try and get back in, create chances, and, of course, score a goal.

[GodalmingYellow]

Mansfield Town official site match report seems to give us quite a lot of credit.

http&#58//www&#46mansfieldtown&#46net/p ... 00&#46html

Were we unlucky not to take something from the game?

[Isaac]

We certainly created enough chances to score again, a draw would have been a fair result as well. However we started so badly and they started so well that 2-0 after 30 minutes didn't flatter them, if you concede the first 2 goals in any game then I don't think you can complain about the result.

[Dr Bob]

We had chances at the start and close of the first half and were much more in the game in the second half, especially the closing minutes. The problem for me that perhaps clouds my judgement of the game overall was that for the period in the first half during which time Mansfield scored, they absolutely tore us to shreds. It was clear that the first goal was coming and no surprise they followed that up so soon after with a second. It was reassuring how we rallied in the second half and started to look more like the erstwhile unbeaten league leaders. But by that stage....

[OUFC4eva]

Mansfield impressed me last night with their running, movement and passing and we could not live with them in the first 30 minutes. They were
regularly getting balls out wide to Briscoe and Williams and knocking balls down the side of us where Speight looked particularly dangerous.

Our back four was under intense pressure and for once seemed to be without the protection normally afforded from Clist and Bulman. Constable ploughed a lone furrow and the ball never stuck up front for me. Cook and green were miles away from Beano.

After conceding the goals, we got back into it and were camped in their half for long periods but tried to rush things when we had time and the final ball or pass was lacking but it was a spirited second half display like a cup tie but we ran out of time in the end after Beanos superb finish.

Have to say the mansfield time wasting was unedifying and the ball boys
were under strict instructions not to collect the ball which was very unsporting. The ref should have added seven minutes at least.

There were five second half substitutions, a goal and lengthy injuries to Alan Marriott &amp Adam Murray.

Thought Stevie Kinniburgh struggled big time in the first half.

[Yorkie]

It was the first game I've seen this season (can't often manage the 400-mile round trip to home games), and in the first half the Oxford display didn't suggest the co-ordinated and dominant team I've been hearing and reading about. They seemed disconcerted by Mansfield's high-tempo approach. But the second half showed their resilience and ability to bounce back, which is encouraging.

As others have suggested, there's always a blip in a good run, and Field Mill was as likely a place for it as any. The proof of the pudding will be at Gateshead on Saturday - I hope to be there, and I'll certainly be at York on 17 October for another testing game.

[Boogie]

The high tempo which Mansfield adopted gave our players no time to settle and we were over run in midfield.

I was surprised at us starting 4-3-3 against one of the top sides, away from home.

Green was poor but as stated above he had to chase looping balls and he was up against a good defender.

Our weakest links were again the full backs as you can see from both goals in the highlights - where were they?

Poor tactics from CW first half but a spirited fight back in the second once Mansfield tired.

I said at the start of the season Mansfield would be our main challengers and nothing I saw last night makes me change my mind.

Their manager had done his homework on not giving us time to build in midfield and getting his players to attack down the channels. Fair play to them.

[Baboo]

Thought we were very poor in the first half and I've defended this team to the hilt. Started where we left off on Saturday - only worse or probably that Mansfield are streets ahead of Eastbourne. We dallied at the back when we should have put hoofed clear. And when we did get the ball away it didn't seem to go very far and invariably went straight to a Mansfield player. Our passing was very poor too - typified by the fact that we seemed bouyed by Cook hitting the bar only for a move soon after with a terrible pass straight into touch stopping our flow.

Second half we just about deserved a draw and I agree the ref should have added on more time. Some of the most blatant time wasting and unsportsmanship you will see - lets make it hell for them at the Kass in return.

The ref did us no favours -their number 17 was putting his arm round the back of our defenders and shirt pulling time and again. Not only did he get away with it until the 35th minute when we actually got a free kick going our way but he also won a freekick himself on one occassion when hewas holding Creighton's shirt. Having seen the goals again on TV - he pulled Foster's shirt as he went past him for their first. A decent referee would have given us a free kick.

Mansfield might have been quite good but cheating and gamesmanship contributed to their victory.

Disagree about Green. Thought he caused them problems all night.

[A-Ro]

Disagree about Green. Thought he caused them problems all night.

Agreed - when he got the ball - the problem was the tactic of trying to pass the high ball to him, Clarke tried to kick the ball straight to Green at least a dozen times and every time the left back got there first. I wasn't complaining about Green I was complaining about the tactics.