Alright skip?
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 10:45 am
What a fabulous night. One of those games that will go down in the classics.
I must admit I was slightly concerned that our injuries would affect our performance. I had nothing to worry about.
Although Brum began slightly stronger than us, after 5 minutes or so we were toe to toe with them and often better. I would say we shaded the first half. Our keep ball play and then change of pace with excellent movement stunned Birmingham, who I reckon perhaps under-estimated us. Second half we were definitely the better side. In extra time it was very even as both sides tired.
Wes was clearly up for this game, having previously been on the Birmingham payroll, and until he went off injured, he looked like the striker we hope he can be. Very strong holding onto the ball, decent movement and a desire to take a share of the donkey work, as well as getting in decent scoring positions. It was a disappointment that he had to go off and for a couple of minutes, we looked less strong.
Hemmings grew into the game and got better as the game went on, coming very close to scoring on several occasions. He's not a dissimilar player to Thomas in that he uses body strength for ball retention, but I would say he has more pace to compensate for a little less height.
Taylor had another excellent game and it was clear that the side missed him when he went off for stitches to a head wound. The team played keep ball in safe areas until he was ready to come back on.
MApp changed how the midfield played for this game ever so slightly, with Lundstram staying back more and spraying his passes from deeper positions, whilst giving Sercombe much more freedom going forward. This change worked very well indeed, adding strength to our back line and creativity and pace to our forward play. Sercombe was back to his absolute best and God only knows how many miles he ran at pace. He did a fair share of defensive work, but supported the front line excellently. Not to mention his very well taken goal that won the match.
The back line looked very solid indeed. Long had another excellent game and on this showing, we are not missing Ribeiro. Skarz was self assured as always (best left back at the club for many years) and there were no problems with either centre back either, Martin slotting in seamlessly and barely putting a foot wrong all night, whilst Nelson looks to be a big improvement on Mullins.
Onto "Smon Eastwood baby". We've picked a gem here. He made several very good saves. His positioning was near perfect and he dominated his area knowing exactly when to come and when to stay.
That leaves Maguire and Macca. Both had sensational games running rings around Birmingham with so much class and close control. Their passing and movement was arguably Premiership class, and they ran themselves completely ragged. I give my MoM to Maguire by the narrowest of margins, though both Macca and Sercombe had very strong claims.
On to the subs, and I've mentioned Hemmings already, Crowley looked more at ease in this game again with several mazy runs as is his trademark. If I had any constructive criticism to make, he needs to learn to be slightly stronger in the tackle and holding onto the ball when challenged. But his was another improved performance. Tyler Roberts came on toward the end of extra time and provided another pacey outlet just when we needed it.
The ref was pretty good for most of the match, although as the game wore on he fell for some unnecessary diving and gave Birmingham several free kicks that they did not deserve.
Great tactics from MApp, in whom we trust.
Another new ground chalked off for me and a great night out with the superb Oxford following that just did not stop singing all night. I even found my voice for the singing and ended up almost losing it again in the process. A great great night in the League Cup for OUFC. Please let the draw be kind to us this evening.
I must admit I was slightly concerned that our injuries would affect our performance. I had nothing to worry about.
Although Brum began slightly stronger than us, after 5 minutes or so we were toe to toe with them and often better. I would say we shaded the first half. Our keep ball play and then change of pace with excellent movement stunned Birmingham, who I reckon perhaps under-estimated us. Second half we were definitely the better side. In extra time it was very even as both sides tired.
Wes was clearly up for this game, having previously been on the Birmingham payroll, and until he went off injured, he looked like the striker we hope he can be. Very strong holding onto the ball, decent movement and a desire to take a share of the donkey work, as well as getting in decent scoring positions. It was a disappointment that he had to go off and for a couple of minutes, we looked less strong.
Hemmings grew into the game and got better as the game went on, coming very close to scoring on several occasions. He's not a dissimilar player to Thomas in that he uses body strength for ball retention, but I would say he has more pace to compensate for a little less height.
Taylor had another excellent game and it was clear that the side missed him when he went off for stitches to a head wound. The team played keep ball in safe areas until he was ready to come back on.
MApp changed how the midfield played for this game ever so slightly, with Lundstram staying back more and spraying his passes from deeper positions, whilst giving Sercombe much more freedom going forward. This change worked very well indeed, adding strength to our back line and creativity and pace to our forward play. Sercombe was back to his absolute best and God only knows how many miles he ran at pace. He did a fair share of defensive work, but supported the front line excellently. Not to mention his very well taken goal that won the match.
The back line looked very solid indeed. Long had another excellent game and on this showing, we are not missing Ribeiro. Skarz was self assured as always (best left back at the club for many years) and there were no problems with either centre back either, Martin slotting in seamlessly and barely putting a foot wrong all night, whilst Nelson looks to be a big improvement on Mullins.
Onto "Smon Eastwood baby". We've picked a gem here. He made several very good saves. His positioning was near perfect and he dominated his area knowing exactly when to come and when to stay.
That leaves Maguire and Macca. Both had sensational games running rings around Birmingham with so much class and close control. Their passing and movement was arguably Premiership class, and they ran themselves completely ragged. I give my MoM to Maguire by the narrowest of margins, though both Macca and Sercombe had very strong claims.
On to the subs, and I've mentioned Hemmings already, Crowley looked more at ease in this game again with several mazy runs as is his trademark. If I had any constructive criticism to make, he needs to learn to be slightly stronger in the tackle and holding onto the ball when challenged. But his was another improved performance. Tyler Roberts came on toward the end of extra time and provided another pacey outlet just when we needed it.
The ref was pretty good for most of the match, although as the game wore on he fell for some unnecessary diving and gave Birmingham several free kicks that they did not deserve.
Great tactics from MApp, in whom we trust.
Another new ground chalked off for me and a great night out with the superb Oxford following that just did not stop singing all night. I even found my voice for the singing and ended up almost losing it again in the process. A great great night in the League Cup for OUFC. Please let the draw be kind to us this evening.