Match Thread: Oxford United v Port Vale

[Bycarsbill]

27 minutes ago, Iron Curtain said:

Awful game.

But short termism isn’t helpful. We are 9 points off relegation and 5 points off the playoffs in our first season back in league 1. 

Lots of posters on here have the ability to lose their head big time. Last season is proof (remember when some numpty wanted crosby to be sacked 😂)

Be angry at the performance by all means, but remember the longer term view and try (please) to avoid sweeping statements about everything being doomed!

UTV

KTF

I've not stated, nor indeed suggested that we're "doomed." Of course I'm angry because we're conceding far too many goals.  But I'm also just trying to be objective and measured.  We are the last of the clubs with 23 points simply because our goal difference is far inferior to the others with the same points and that statistic certainly doesn't lie.  In our first season back in league One I never realistically thought we'd be anything better than mid-table and I'm not one of the doom-mongers, but we have to keep a sense of objectivity and that spells out a lack of goals for and too many against.

[Bycarsbill]

8 minutes ago, Iron Curtain said:

Other way more important maths suggests 23 is clearly closer to 28 than 14.

But If that’s your genuine argument I have nothing more to add. 

Enjoy your evening.

 

Cheers and you have a good one too. but the wine never tastes as good after a defeat!!

[valefan16]

It’s a shocking result against a relatively mediocre side missing key players, can’t really dress it up any other way.

We seem to be haemorrhaging goals lately, is that due to our tactics? Being too open?

Clear certain players aren’t up to the level consistently and that’s work to do in the summer assuming we stay up.

Charlton is a big one, especially with Plymouth away to follow and we could do with something there but will be rough going with no Ellis or Wilson.

We usually bounce back well so hopefully it’s a bad day at the office and nothing more. Does feel all the positivity up to a week ago has been sucked out though.

[Sandyford_Lion]

51 minutes ago, Walka003 said:

All that needs saying.

We desperately need a good January, a clear out of L2 players and freshen it up with players who can compete. We seem to be 3/4 injuries from a disaster at all times.

Lets hope Flitcrofts 6k a week players, that we could get for 3k end of August, will now come to us for 2k.

I believe D C feels a bit let down with our signings. Thats why they chased Politic at the last minute.

Need some div 1 quality in Jan but i doubt the money is available

Short of quality all over the park and when we have one he hardly ever plays. JW

[philmpv]

Lets hope Flitcrofts 6k a week players, that we could get for 3k end of August, will now come to us for 2k.

Easy to make snide comments like that after a defeat. But I wouldn't swap ANY of our current squad for the dross that we had when DF came in. Yet some of those were celebrated as world beaters

[blackdog]

I should know the answer to this but does anyone remember us beating a Carl Robinson team ?

[Gooders]

31 minutes ago, Bycarsbill said:

The maths suggests that 16th is clearly closer to 20th than it is to 7th!

Points that count.

[Sandyford_Lion]

49 minutes ago, 1 said:

9 points outside the bottom 4, a bad day at the office though. We’re playing with a keeper rewarded for playing at the back end of last season, without actually ever playing that well in league 2, backing up a keeper who was probably 5th or lower choice. The pattern of “its been even but they’ve been more clinical” means the keeper is letting us down. I personally don’t mind the defence too much. Obviously we could do with a commanding centre half of L1 level, but that’s the same for everyone. The other big concern for me is the midfield is dire. Some big decisions coming in January. Without a pitch revolution the injuries will always be something we are dealing with every season too.

We have TWO decent cover centre halves, Smith and Forrester, the problem is to help a weak back three we play one of them on the right and they are both poor at this. Div 1 commanding center half is a must. A captain, a leader is a must.

Include Hall and we have no pace at all at the back. This is his big weakness. Quality playing balls out of defence is also poor. Very poor. This is why i think Jones gets games but he too is not the answer in league !

Cass has been a complete failure so far after seeing him for first 6 months. Not forgetting signing Cass cost us Gibbons.

Another discussino to follow but our back three also need help from the middle or wingbacks. Miss Ojo but the rest are not up to it. Worrall has not been replaced and he needed to be

[geoff1]

33 minutes ago, Wrex said:

Sensible words from Clarke. Not much else positive that can be said after a poor defeat, but as he said you will get results like this at times in a higher division.

very progressive!😏

[Gooders]

12 minutes ago, Sandyford_Lion said:

Lets hope Flitcrofts 6k a week players, that we could get for 3k end of August, will now come to us for 2k.

I believe D C feels a bit let down with our signings. Thats why they chased Politic at the last minute.

Need some div 1 quality in Jan but i doubt the money is available

Short of quality all over the park and when we have one he hardly ever plays. JW

Where are these players coming from?

[Warren]

We needed the keeper to play well today. He didn't and looked devoid of confidence. The defence looked in trouble with most attacks and for all methods of attack. Some of this stems from the keeper not commanding the six yard box and some because he wasn't saving anything (one exception). Central midfield is not effective defensively. Two players who can pass ok and tackle in crowded centre situations but seem ineffective when the opposition have mobile attacks and when on the edge of the box. Attack was a threat first half. It disappeared second half. The subs didn't work. 

But it is a setback not a crisis. 

[geoff1]

22 minutes ago, Bycarsbill said:

Cheers and you have a good one too. but the wine never tastes as good after a defeat!!

wine bill? always knew theyt posh!😁

[valiant_593]

29 minutes ago, grand prix pants said:

Not disagreeing with everything, but didn’t we sign Cass to replace him? 

Gibbo was best for us at LWB, Cass RWB personally don’t see him as Gibbons replacement. Even if he was, he’s just another that isn’t really up to this level. 

[Sandyford_Lion]

14 minutes ago, philmpv said:

Easy to make snide comments like that after a defeat. But I wouldn't swap ANY of our current squad for the dross that we had when DF came in. Yet some of those were celebrated as world beaters
 

Agree entirely. Almost to a man we are better than before. We are now in League one and need to remain there for a few years. This year will always be a massive test but we have to come through it.

This is not a snide comment. Its not a comment after a heavy defeat. Seen the players we have and my comments are always based on my thoughts from what i see, not just the last game. We lack quality

[Sandyford_Lion]

8 minutes ago, Gooders said:

Where are these players coming from?

Thats PVFC's job