Why are we so utterly sh*t?

[Shoobedoo]

The &quotLearned Nothing From Jim Smith's Mistakes&quot Post.

1. Playing Matt Day at right back. Matt Day is not a right back. He may not actually be a footballer, but in this I'll - for now - give him the benefit of the doubt but there is no debate to be had in the case of his ability as a right back. If Clarke is not the full-time answer yet (and that's a case that has merit), then we should sign another right back. Not, as was the case tonight, playing a player out of position.

2. 4-3-3 is becoming almost as irritating as 5-3-2. There is no width, and the midfield is over-run. What would have been wrong with bringing Fish (who must have been brimming with confidence after Saturday) on in a straight swap thus keeping the shape? As it was, Yemi and Ledge were forced to play inside and both disappeared for the major part of the game, not surprisingly.

Tonight is the first night I have been unhappy with Patto's decision making.

[Kernow Yellow]

What would have been wrong with bringing Fish (who must have been brimming with confidence after Saturday) on in a straight swap thus keeping the shape?

Yup - even from 250 miles away, and only RadOx for company, my heart sank when I heard that McCallister was being replaced by Pettefer.

Duffy and Yemi do not work as a forward combination. Hasn't Patto learnt that yet? By all accounts the reason we played so well on Saturday is that for the first time in ages we played with two proper wingers, providing service to two proper forwards. So why did we change the shape when there was another, more obvious option? It must have sent a message to the rest of the team, the fans, and possibly even the opposition. I was not at all surprised that we failed to come back into it after that.

Also surprised (and disappointed) that Day was preferred to Clarke. It sounded like we improved again when Clarke came on.

Sorry for the 'I wasn't there, but...' analysis, but I've seen plenty over the last few weeks and months to know what our strenghts and (more importantly) weaknesses are, and it annoys me that Patto doesn't see it. Or, more likely, doesn't have the guts to commit to playing to our strengths for fear of jeopardising our precious defensive stability.

It strikes me that teams generally seem to do well in this league by scoring goals, not being afraid of conceding them.

[Matt D]

most of what i thought about the game has already been said. a number of people around me questioned the decision to replace mcallister with pettefer as soon as we saw who was jumping from foot to foot on the touchline.

as i'm sure everyone thought: wrong decision by the referee for the corner that led to their goal, but you still have to defend it.

generally i think the difference in the game was that weymouth pressed our players much harder, and were able to find a team mate with a decent pass when they managed to get the ball, rather than hoofing upfield as alty did. our players looked substantially worse with less time on the ball (depressing), their heads went down quickly, and the movement on the pitch slowly died. worrying.

maybe it's some kind of emotional self-defence system that kicked in, but i had started to expect this kind of performance and result from oxford ahead of the game. the last few days leave me reflecting that the hunger around OUFC for success is terrible. how can we get so excited about one game after an awful run? we give ourselves so much further to fall, and the consequent backlash on the players is all the worse. as snake said, terrific backing at the start of the game from the london road. but it took us half an hour to get back to moaning and groaning.

[Ancient Colin]

Out of interest, where was Patterson? Lewis was in the technical area all second half, no sign of Patto at all.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

I see Oxford City are doing well.

[GodalmingYellow]

I see Oxford City are doing well.

And they are playing the mighty Godalming Town in Godalming on Saturday. To me this has become a much more appealing match than OUFC away to Salisbury because I waon't have the same emotional let down at the end.

[Ascension Ox]

I see Oxford City are doing well.

And they are playing the mighty Godalming Town in Godalming on Saturday. To me this has become a much more appealing match than OUFC away to Salisbury because I waon't have the same emotional let down at the end.

even if we win?

[Ancient Colin]

I see Oxford City are doing well.

And they are playing the mighty Godalming Town in Godalming on Saturday. To me this has become a much more appealing match than OUFC away to Salisbury because I waon't have the same emotional let down at the end.

even if we win?

Who are Hampton &amp Richmond playing this Saturday?!

[theox]

I'm going Saturday. I don't know why and I have to say that this is the least I have ever looked forward to an Oxford game.

Apathy is finally kicking in and you have no idea how sad that makes me feel.

[GodalmingYellow]

I see Oxford City are doing well.

And they are playing the mighty Godalming Town in Godalming on Saturday. To me this has become a much more appealing match than OUFC away to Salisbury because I waon't have the same emotional let down at the end.

even if we win?

The problem in there is the &quotif&quot and the emotional risk assessment suggests we won't win.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

Who are Hampton &amp Richmond playing this Saturday?!

Thurrock at home.

[Ascension Ox]

Who are Hampton &amp Richmond playing this Saturday?!

Thurrock at home.

I would say there is a decent chance we will be playing H &amp R next season. They are doing well in Conference South. A well run 'little' club that do more to advertise themselves in their locality than our gibbering owners can manage. They actually have posters publicising matches, kick off times etc. Can you believe that?

FFS.

[Pe├▒a Oxford United]

I can recall a small group of fanzine people making a similar point to Mick Brown in the Cricketers' Arms on Iffley Road with regards to Wycombe Wanderers. In about 1990.

[Ancient Colin]

Who are Hampton &amp Richmond playing this Saturday?!

Thurrock at home.

I would say there is a decent chance we will be playing H &amp R next season. They are doing well in Conference South. A well run 'little' club that do more to advertise themselves in their locality than our gibbering owners can manage. They actually have posters publicising matches, kick off times etc. Can you believe that?

FFS.

I used to take my son down to have a kickaround in the goalmouth at the Beveree(rarely getting chased off) , and he played under ten football matches on that pitch which used to be, um, agricultural. It seems really bizarre to me that we might be playing them (but no more bizarre, I suppose, than that the Railway Bell now has stripped wood floors and sells food that appears not to have been congealing in pigfat for five years).

[Ascension Ox]

Thurrock at home.

I would say there is a decent chance we will be playing H &amp R next season. They are doing well in Conference South. A well run 'little' club that do more to advertise themselves in their locality than our gibbering owners can manage. They actually have posters publicising matches, kick off times etc. Can you believe that?

FFS.

I used to take my son down to have a kickaround in the goalmouth at the Beveree(rarely getting chased off) , and he played under ten football matches on that pitch which used to be, um, agricultural. It seems really bizarre to me that we might be playing them (but no more bizarre, I suppose, than that the Railway Bell now has stripped wood floors and sells food that appears not to have been congealing in pigfat for five years).

Better class of person lives there now though... ahem... If we do get to play the mighty Beavers next season can I recommend the Jolly Coopers as a fine watering hole.