rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 26, 2011 9:36:45 GMT
Our second home fixture of the week sees us playing league and old BSP rivals Oxford Utd in what should be a good match at an earlier kick off time. Oxford play AFC Wimbledon today and I wouldn't be surprised to see them win there following up from a 2-0 home win against Northampton. However, they have just come through a sticky patch with 1 draw (away to Morecambe) and 5 consecutive losses although Cheltenham, Crawley, Sheffield Utd and Southend twice are a pretty daunting prospect for any club in our division.
Their top scorer with eight goals is Constable that we know all about from the BSP and probably did not have great success against us. Second in the goal scoring charts is Robbie Hall from West Ham with six but luckily for us, was recalled to cover for injuries over the Christmas period. Finally Peter Leven, a central midfielder signed from MK Dons in the summer has made a significant contribution with five goals for his side and will need to be watched.
I would imagine that events on the field today will dictate the line up and tactics so will add my thoughts on this later.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 27, 2011 9:27:11 GMT
Even though Oxford won at Wimbledon, after the great performance yesterday we can go into this match with some confidence. In particular, the form of Atieno was the biggest plus of the game although his legs went with twenty minutes remaining but that's nothing that a few matches won't cure.
The return of Bodin will also be a big plus but I fear that he has but two games left with us this season and I look forward to seeing how Ling will approach that problem next month.
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Post by loyalgull on Dec 28, 2011 17:31:48 GMT
looking forward to this one,atieno surely deserves to keep his place on his swindon showing,yes i know i cant believe i am saying that,but he worked his socks off against swindon,caused them lots of problems despite as rob says looking worn out with 20 minutes to go.Another large away following will again make for an electric atmosphere,and 3 more points would be a cracking bonus.But oxford are on a good run,there away form is good so nothing but 90 minute effort from us will do,lingy may not change much for this game after the swindon win,i also dont think it will be free scoring,will take another 1-0 close encounter win
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Post by slappy on Dec 28, 2011 20:39:36 GMT
No thanks for moving the kick-off. I'd booked my train 3 months ago on the basis of a 3pm kick off. So I get to Torquay station at 12:44. Kick off 1pm. Rebooked return journey earlier at an extra £18.50 cost.
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Post by loyalgull on Dec 28, 2011 21:39:48 GMT
this is is a FANS forum,we neither organise dates days or times for matches,oxford obviously agreed to the time change so take it up with them,do you think you are the first fan to suffer from a kick off time change?,like the rest of us you deal with it
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 29, 2011 17:04:56 GMT
No thanks for moving the kick-off. I'd booked my train 3 months ago on the basis of a 3pm kick off. So I get to Torquay station at 12:44. Kick off 1pm. Rebooked return journey earlier at an extra £18.50 cost. Hard luck I'm afraid although not sure why you rebooked the return journey at the earlier time - but as long as the train isn't late, a taxi should get you to the ground on time. It actually makes sense to have an earlier kick off time on New Year's Eve and maybe more Oxford fans will make this journey - Swindon sold out their allocation on Boxing Day. Hopefully, it will be another good home turn out after a series of good home wins but the Plymouth game on Monday may paradoxically see some fans save their money. I see the Oxford right back, Andy Whing is suspended for this one although with three clean sheets in a row it looks like it still could be a difficult task to breach their defence. However, some of the football played in the first half against Swindon was top drawer and would cause any side in this division problems - first choice defence or not. Morris did well on Monday but I think Bodin will return for this one, not least because Morris is on four yellows and Ling will be keen to avoid another suspension. Oastler is also on four yellows but I think this is the last match you can get suspended for having five . |
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Post by slappy on Dec 29, 2011 17:40:15 GMT
Thanks - hopefully should attract a few more home fans with the earlier kick-off. Obviously it makes sense, but I feel it could have been announced earlier in the season. Quite a few Oxford are staying down for NYE so although we won't sell out should be a reasonable crowd from us. Unfortunately I'd booked my original return for 5:57pm, but didn't fancy sitting around for three hours after the game has finished.
Have you still got jobsworth stewards who won't let anyone take a photo during the game? And which stand is being redeveloped?
Although Whing is suspended, we are hopeful Michael Duberry will be back, or we have Harry Worley available too.
I took my father to the Torquay game at the Kassam last year, behind the goal with all the Oxford fans. When you scored early on he cheered, thinking that because you were all in yellow it was Oxford scoring.
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Post by loyalgull on Dec 29, 2011 17:48:00 GMT
slappy couldnt agree more with you on the photos and our stewards,its god damned annoying and picky,my mate went to chesterfield in the cup,there stewards took photos of him in the ground on his camera for him,ok its a league ruling but most of us do it for ourselves with no motive other than memories.The crawley game in the cup last year was so frustrating,everytime i went to the loo or snack bar the steward kept asking to see my ticket,despite the fact i am a season ticket holder and spoke to him every home game,it felt like a wind up,common sense should really prevail
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 29, 2011 19:20:12 GMT
Slappy - the old grandstand which is to your left as you stand in the away end. Construction starts next week. Maybe we could get a chant of yellow army to go all the way around the ground!
Alan - that reminds me of a scene from Dad's Army where Corporal Jones on sentry duty calls to a halt and then carefully inspects a passer by's papers (possibly asking him to hold his gun so he can use both hands) and then ascertaining that he is not a German spy, shouts out to him as he leaves whether he wanted extra sausages with his order the following week! ;D ;D
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Post by stuartB on Dec 29, 2011 21:05:37 GMT
Oxford should feel at home with a 3 sided ground  |
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jj
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Post by jj on Dec 30, 2011 9:42:46 GMT
Oxford should feel at home with a 3 sided ground NICE ONE!!!!! (There is only one Yellow Army) |
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Post by hullgull on Dec 31, 2011 9:38:25 GMT
happy new year to you all from costa del hull,bet you all looking forward to the game today,3 points please guys,then down to argyle for another 3 he he ha ha,enjoy
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 31, 2011 12:31:39 GMT
Team News: Unchanged line up from Swindon meaning Bodin will be on the bench. However, does give us another strong option up front, particularly if Atieno tires again!
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 31, 2011 15:30:15 GMT
A little disappointing as we didn't reach the heights of Monday. In fact, our passing game didn't really get going and with the ball in the air more, it was quite hard to dominate. I thought Ellis had a very good game in defence and his sliding tackle to shepherd the ball out was a delight to see. We did have some good chances with Morris clear in the area hitting it straight at the keeper, Oastler picked up the loose ball and from a tighter angle hit the post. At times we seemed a little reticent to shoot and a few more attempts would have been better. At the end, a Nicholson long throw saw the ball come out to Mansell but he pulled his shot wide. Oxford had a couple of headers that hit the bar / post but didn't create that much. I don't think the ref gave us that much today and three yellows was a little harsh. The Oxford players seemed to get away with a lot of pushing and shoving as our players went to head the ball without much consequence. I can feel a Swangull match report coming on and if so, you can read how it really happened! |
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Post by Swanny on Dec 31, 2011 15:44:18 GMT
So 0-0 in the end in a game where both defences were very much on top. Clear goal scoring chances were at a premium. Sponsors MOTM predictably going to a defender, namely Robertson (Ellis was also commanding). Gate disappointingly only 3,043, 500+ from Oxford. So 2,500 home fans was not a great turn-out.
The pattern of the first half was that both teams were busy in their build up and there was no shortage of effort. It was an even half. It was difficult to remember any meaningful shots of note from either side. It did not help matters that Nicholson's deliveries were disappointing and he wasted some good opportunities including some promising free-kicks. Oxford had an injury in the first half and dangerman Constable came on as sub. Atieno worked hard but his marker had the better of him, and it was the same story at the other end where Robertson and Ellis snuffed out any Oxford attacks.
Torquay upped their game a little in the second half but you have to commend Oxford's stubborn defence. Torquay finally had a clear chance when Morris was slipped through beautifully from Atieno. Morris hit the ball hard and low but their keeper blocked his goalbound shot. Shortly afterwards Oastler from a tight angle on the right hit his shot against the post. A few minutes later Morris curled shot just went wide the the far post, a decent effort. Morris was then substitued for Bodin. Later Atieno was replaced by McPhee and Rowe-Turner came on for Stevens. The game's best chances came in the last 5 minutes of normal time. A long Nicholson throw came over and the ball eventually fell clear to Mansell about 12 yards out and a clear sight on goal. Sadly Mansell screwed his shot wide. Then Oxford had 2 great chaces at the end. Robertson brilliantly headed the ball off the line to save the Gulls, and Constable headed against the post - 2 let-offs. So a draw was probably about fair in the end.
So a game where both teams cancelled eachother out for long periods. The positives - our defence looks very solid as does Oxford's. I bet Paul Buckle would like a bit of that as I have just noticed Bristol Rovers latest score (1-3) !
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