Actually enjoyed the game, two half decent footballing sides. But our defensive weaknesses were clear and exploited well by Oxford. I've never been a fan of KR, I think he is very tactically weak and naive, and he showed it again yesterday with his late substitutions. What he said in the post match about the players was correct but in my eyes he was equally as culpable.
Yes relatively speaking Robinson is a young manager but to imply that by that token he doesn’t have much experience isn’t correct. He has managed predominantly at this level for nearly 8 years now. Therefore, he shouldn’t be learning on the job. All that aside even a rookie manager would have organised and managed the team better than he did yesterday. He likes to talk a good game and some love his apparent passion. I’m passionate about our team but you wouldn’t want me as manager! As they say “actions speak louder than words”!
To get out of this league you need a certain type of player - see Wigan for example. They are physically strong, well organised and not only score goals, they don't let many in. We have plenty of talented, skillful individuals and to be fair we do play the game how I THINK it should be played; sadly I fear it will not be enough to get us promoted.
We were largely the better team and looked really promising. We had weaknesses at the back and Oxford took most of their chances. I think there's a lot of exaggeration about our deficiencies - the squad as it is will surely begin to fire, especially with Bauer, Sarr and Pearce fit again. My one huge concern is Solly
Blaming JDS for two of the goals is proper mental as well. He had a lot of defending to do and did it pretty well. The last goal was well-worked and a good strike, with no midfielder getting in a challenge
The thing about the 3-1 of our formation constantly rotating is great if we have the ball, but if we don't it's six against eight. Can't blame mf or defence if we are overrun.
A few thoughts, not just about yesterday's game but some equally applicable to most recent matches ...
Big Josh had a good game yesterday, my MoM. He worked his bollocks off, did some great work in advanced positions down the flanks, and finally got a well-deserved goal. He also shew a good touch in the box, wrong-footing a defender before his drive was well saved by the 'keeper. Should he be played as our sole striker? If so, he needs some decent service and support from midfield. Probably the best cross into the box yesterday came from Josh himself. When the team reviews the video of the match I hope he stands up and says "hey, midfield - did you see that? That's the sort of cross I want!"
Why do our players have to take so many touches before shooting? Sometimes the chance disappears completely because they've taken too long. A couple of time yesterday a first-time strike was needed but not taken, so we passed back and before you knew it the ball was with Konsa, Lennon and Amos!
In a similar vein, the likes of Fozzy, Stephy, and Marshall need to learn that you normally only have to beat a defender once in a move, you shouldn't have to beat him a second or even third time. If you're doing that then either your teammates are letting you down by not supporting the attack or you're keeping your head down not looking at what's around. By all means ignore the player on the overlap (inside ir outside) if the runner is drawing away the defender or making him hesitant but you must use them now and again otherwise it's too predictable for the defence.
We don't need to be trying to score spectacular individual goals all the time. A cross into the box followed by a tap-in from three foot out counts exactly the same as a mazy 40-yard run beating six defenders finished by a 25-yard thunderbolt.
Our midfield is too slow. Individually we've got some speedsters but when when we counter-attack we're far too slow as a team getting forward so that by the time the cavalry has arrived not only have the defensive wagons been circled they've had time to build a bloody wall too.
The midfield doesn't seem to be helping the defence either. We may have looked a tad iffy in the centre of defence lately but they haven't had too much protection in front of them.
Others have already brought up Robbo's substitutions and game management with a few minutes to go, Paddy or Jacko should have helped see out the last few minutes to hold on for the win.
I'm sure there are other points to raise but I'll probably bring those up after the next home game.
Couldn't understand all the positivity in the pre-match thread. Yes we've won a few on the bounce but they were far from convincing performances.
We have looked poor defensively for the entire season and it was no different today. How Bauer is sitting on the bench and Lennon is in the side before him I'll never know. He has been terrible since he has been back in the side. No pace and his passing is laughable.
Full backs get little protection, but it increasingly feels like we need to call time on Solly. He has been consistently poor for a while now.
Still don't see what JFC brings to the table in the defensive midfield role - incredibly harsh to leave Aribo out. Would get him back in the team asap.
Stood and told @ricky_otto to cash his bet in for at east 5 mins before Oxford scored. He woudn't listen.
Ridiculous sub at the end from Robinson as well. Why on earth are we not just seeing the game out?
Kyro looks totally unfit and was miles of the pace. Liked what I saw of Kaikai and suspect he will do well for us. Mavididi was flexing his hamstring for a couple of minutes before he went down. Doesn't look as bad as last time but expect him to be out for a while.
Have felt for a while that the play-offs will be beyond us and still do. We are just too open at the back.
Agree with most of that, but I don’t think Zyro looked ‘miles’ off the pace. Of course he’s not match fit, but that’ll come. Took up some great positions, and may have a footballing brain. Problem is he looks like a centre forward.
I hope you don't say that because of his height and build. We already know from Wolves fans, and from the clips, that he is not a centre forward in the English sense. But then neither is Josh. People have remarked that Josh put a few good crosses in and there was no one there to capitalise. Exactly. He was doing what he does for N Ireland , where there is always someone else. We could certainly play him and Zyro together, but if I see Robinson playing Zyro as the one up front, I will definitely kill him.
I think you can get away with Lennon or Konsa and you can add Sarr to that with an experienced centre half playing with them - but together no way. Pearce is a big miss beacuse he glues it all together.
We were largely the better team and looked really promising. We had weaknesses at the back and Oxford took most of their chances. I think there's a lot of exaggeration about our deficiencies - the squad as it is will surely begin to fire, especially with Bauer, Sarr and Pearce fit again. My one huge concern is Solly
We were largely the better team and looked really promising. We had weaknesses at the back and Oxford took most of their chances. I think there's a lot of exaggeration about our deficiencies - the squad as it is will surely begin to fire, especially with Bauer, Sarr and Pearce fit again. My one huge concern is Solly
Likewise.
Funny thing is Im not saying your wrong but I thought it was his best game of season tbh which isn't really that hard.
Couldn't understand all the positivity in the pre-match thread. Yes we've won a few on the bounce but they were far from convincing performances.
We have looked poor defensively for the entire season and it was no different today. How Bauer is sitting on the bench and Lennon is in the side before him I'll never know. He has been terrible since he has been back in the side. No pace and his passing is laughable.
Full backs get little protection, but it increasingly feels like we need to call time on Solly. He has been consistently poor for a while now.
Still don't see what JFC brings to the table in the defensive midfield role - incredibly harsh to leave Aribo out. Would get him back in the team asap.
Stood and told @ricky_otto to cash his bet in for at east 5 mins before Oxford scored. He woudn't listen.
Ridiculous sub at the end from Robinson as well. Why on earth are we not just seeing the game out?
Kyro looks totally unfit and was miles of the pace. Liked what I saw of Kaikai and suspect he will do well for us. Mavididi was flexing his hamstring for a couple of minutes before he went down. Doesn't look as bad as last time but expect him to be out for a while.
Have felt for a while that the play-offs will be beyond us and still do. We are just too open at the back.
Agree with most of that, but I don’t think Zyro looked ‘miles’ off the pace. Of course he’s not match fit, but that’ll come. Took up some great positions, and may have a footballing brain. Problem is he looks like a centre forward.
I hope you don't say that because of his height and build. We already know from Wolves fans, and from the clips, that he is not a centre forward in the English sense. But then neither is Josh. People have remarked that Josh put a few good crosses in and there was no one there to capitalise. Exactly. He was doing what he does for N Ireland , where there is always someone else. We could certainly play him and Zyro together, but if I see Robinson playing Zyro as the one up front, I will definitely kill him.
It'll take time to work out how to fit all these pieces into the jigsaw. All I meant about Zyro is that he looks more like a striker than a winger in the way he plays. But tbh, we've only had a glimpse of what he and Kaikai are capable of. He looks quite athletic though.
I was concerned after the window that we have quite a few players who are a bit similar, and lack that bit of steel in midfield. We may need cover at right back, unless people think that's Konsa's best role? Does he get forward enough for a right back? And Pearce is really, really missed.
Like, after weeks of brilliance, turning round and saying "JDS: good going forward, can't defend" is plainly complete nonsense
JDS is not brilliant - he's a skilful player who is good going forward but as a defender he certainly doesn't stand out. If he was brilliant he wouldn't be on loan to a L1 club.
Like, after weeks of brilliance, turning round and saying "JDS: good going forward, can't defend" is plainly complete nonsense
JDS is not brilliant - he's a skilful player who is good going forward but as a defender he certainly doesn't stand out. If he was brilliant he wouldn't be on loan to a L1 club.
He's is not on loan he is our player. Better going forward.
Interesting. I like the expected goals model and it has some uses. Statistically it falls down a bit here as it doesn't take into account form or any major changes e.g. manager changes. I'm assuming it's based in the while season so far.
Loom at Gills. Started in horrendous form barely hmaveraged a shot a game (except against us) but since Lovell has come in the be been a different side. They're scoring goals and defending well. But their expected goals metric is being pulled down by their start to the season which I'd argue has little bearing on how they are going to finish. On the other had Bradford appear to be in freefall can't seem to buy a win yet are being pulled up by their start to the season and so are above us. I'd argue it will finish the other way round. We have had our blip they are just beginning theirs.
Still interesting just I'm not sure averaging it over a season an using it to predict finishing spots is the best use of expected goals.
Like, after weeks of brilliance, turning round and saying "JDS: good going forward, can't defend" is plainly complete nonsense
JDS is not brilliant - he's a skilful player who is good going forward but as a defender he certainly doesn't stand out. If he was brilliant he wouldn't be on loan to a L1 club.
He's is not on loan he is our player. Better going forward.
Like, after weeks of brilliance, turning round and saying "JDS: good going forward, can't defend" is plainly complete nonsense
JDS is not brilliant - he's a skilful player who is good going forward but as a defender he certainly doesn't stand out. If he was brilliant he wouldn't be on loan to a L1 club.
He's is not on loan he is our player. Better going forward.
He's on loan from Chelsea....
Sorry Jay DeSilva is. I was think JFC for some reason. Didn't get a lot of sleep.
Have calmed down and got mellower after Saturday's last 5 minutes. Bauer needed to be on as well as JJ for those last 10 minutes and we needed to play further forward. It should have been us going for the third not Oxford. Gutted.
JDS is a championship level player. He has absolutely no future at Chelsea IMO, but is one of our best players.
Absolutely, you can see a class gap with watching our and watching chmap/prem games.
First touch and ability to switch play with a cross field ball or diags is so evident.
He is the only one I have completed confidence in being able to do this.
Not a sly dig at our players it's the facts of L1 against higher division.
EVERY game he is targeted for his height with a diag. This is his CH and Robinsons problem to deal with.
If Sarr had been on the bench, maybe he would have come on at LB, as a more defensive (and tall) option? You could have left JDS on to replace Mavididi
JDS is a championship level player. He has absolutely no future at Chelsea IMO, but is one of our best players.
Absolutely, you can see a class gap with watching our and watching chmap/prem games.
First touch and ability to switch play with a cross field ball or diags is so evident.
He is the only one I have completed confidence in being able to do this.
Not a sly dig at our players it's the facts of L1 against higher division.
EVERY game he is targeted for his height with a diag. This is his CH and Robinsons problem to deal with.
If Sarr had been on the bench, maybe he would have come on at LB, as a more defensive (and tall) option? You could have left JDS on to replace Mavididi
Our run in is awful, more or less all of the top sides. Unless we are top 4 by the beginning of April, I doubt we could reach the play-offs. That sad we can probably play worse than this weekend and get a result. We aren't top six in the form books. Another season in League One beckons!
JDS is a championship level player. He has absolutely no future at Chelsea IMO, but is one of our best players.
Absolutely, you can see a class gap with watching our and watching chmap/prem games.
First touch and ability to switch play with a cross field ball or diags is so evident.
He is the only one I have completed confidence in being able to do this.
Not a sly dig at our players it's the facts of L1 against higher division.
EVERY game he is targeted for his height with a diag. This is his CH and Robinsons problem to deal with.
If Sarr had been on the bench, maybe he would have come on at LB, as a more defensive (and tall) option? You could have left JDS on to replace Mavididi
Was Sarr injured?
Yes.
I'm not normally too critical of Karl, but I think he got things badly wrong on Saturday.
Comments
Big Josh had a good game yesterday, my MoM. He worked his bollocks off, did some great work in advanced positions down the flanks, and finally got a well-deserved goal. He also shew a good touch in the box, wrong-footing a defender before his drive was well saved by the 'keeper. Should he be played as our sole striker? If so, he needs some decent service and support from midfield. Probably the best cross into the box yesterday came from Josh himself. When the team reviews the video of the match I hope he stands up and says "hey, midfield - did you see that? That's the sort of cross I want!"
Why do our players have to take so many touches before shooting? Sometimes the chance disappears completely because they've taken too long. A couple of time yesterday a first-time strike was needed but not taken, so we passed back and before you knew it the ball was with Konsa, Lennon and Amos!
In a similar vein, the likes of Fozzy, Stephy, and Marshall need to learn that you normally only have to beat a defender once in a move, you shouldn't have to beat him a second or even third time. If you're doing that then either your teammates are letting you down by not supporting the attack or you're keeping your head down not looking at what's around. By all means ignore the player on the overlap (inside ir outside) if the runner is drawing away the defender or making him hesitant but you must use them now and again otherwise it's too predictable for the defence.
We don't need to be trying to score spectacular individual goals all the time. A cross into the box followed by a tap-in from three foot out counts exactly the same as a mazy 40-yard run beating six defenders finished by a 25-yard thunderbolt.
Our midfield is too slow. Individually we've got some speedsters but when when we counter-attack we're far too slow as a team getting forward so that by the time the cavalry has arrived not only have the defensive wagons been circled they've had time to build a bloody wall too.
The midfield doesn't seem to be helping the defence either. We may have looked a tad iffy in the centre of defence lately but they haven't had too much protection in front of them.
Others have already brought up Robbo's substitutions and game management with a few minutes to go, Paddy or Jacko should have helped see out the last few minutes to hold on for the win.
I'm sure there are other points to raise but I'll probably bring those up after the next home game.
I was concerned after the window that we have quite a few players who are a bit similar, and lack that bit of steel in midfield.
We may need cover at right back, unless people think that's Konsa's best role? Does he get forward enough for a right back?
And Pearce is really, really missed.
Loom at Gills. Started in horrendous form barely hmaveraged a shot a game (except against us) but since Lovell has come in the be been a different side. They're scoring goals and defending well. But their expected goals metric is being pulled down by their start to the season which I'd argue has little bearing on how they are going to finish. On the other had Bradford appear to be in freefall can't seem to buy a win yet are being pulled up by their start to the season and so are above us. I'd argue it will finish the other way round. We have had our blip they are just beginning theirs.
Still interesting just I'm not sure averaging it over a season an using it to predict finishing spots is the best use of expected goals.
First touch and ability to switch play with a cross field ball or diags is so evident.
He is the only one I have completed confidence in being able to do this.
Not a sly dig at our players it's the facts of L1 against higher division.
EVERY game he is targeted for his height with a diag. This is his CH and Robinsons problem to deal with.
All3 were well taken.
Poor defending though
I'm not normally too critical of Karl, but I think he got things badly wrong on Saturday.