The Great Cornholio
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- #261
OK - time for reflection now I'm on a proper computer again. Firstly, thanks to the people who offered to upload photos but I didn't get chance to take any with all the goals going in during the first half and just plain forgot after that. Sorry!
Glad you liked the commentary - just sorry it couldn't have been better news. Difficult to know what to make of it really. As embarrasing as it was, we were far from out classed. Oxford probably had 6 efforts on goal and scored 4. Martin only had 1 save to make. Not sure if that is good or bad news. But as a unit, the defence were shocking. Mayo looked like the player he was when he was being slated. Berthe showed a few touches and made a couple of good tackles but had a nightmare first half. As I said, positioning was my main concern. When one cross came in from the right wing, Tank picked up one striker. Dodd was marking the other one with Berthe playing sort of a sweeper role between the 2 marking space. Wouldn't have been a problem if the left winger wasn't behind Dodd meaning he was marking 2 players whilst Berthe marked space. I would be tempted to give him another half on Saturday if we don't have any new triallists ready to play.
Tank looked like he was missing not having a steady partner and wasn't as commanding as usual. Dodd took all the corners but didn't do anything outstanding in defence.
For the third friendly I have seen, Chippy looked well below his best. Nicolas played like the player we saw at the end of last season - fairly anonymous. Martin may or may not have been at fault for the 3rd goal (Too far for me to judge if it was his ball or not) but would have walked for the penalty in a real game as he was last man. Only had one other save to make.
Now for the plus points. Jarret, Hammond, Knight and CKR played well and linked well. CKR is still a bit raw and chose the wrong option a couple of times but again impressed with his power and shooting ability. Leon worked extremely hard and looked like hte Leon of old - unfortunately this includes the bad side to his game and it appears he either stamped on or kicked at a player on the ground and may well have been sent off in a real game or if Gallacher had seen it properly. Difficult for us to see but the Oxford fans reacted straight away. And, setting myself up for flaming, McCammon showed yet again why he is not a Championship Player. As at Le Havre and Lewes before he scored, he found himself in a virtual one on one and never even got a shot away. He fell over in a comical manner twice (As did Berthe btw) which at least added a bit of entertainment.
As I say, difficult to know how depressed to be. For me, the same starting line up with Blaney and a decent Left Back and Centre Back would be a good, competitive team. Chippy and Alexis need to find their form. The question is, can MM find the required players before Derby? The defence needs pace badly or else we will be exposed time and time again.
In summary, we were far from outplayed. We had more chances than they did, more corners than they did and possession was probably about 50-50. The scoreline flattered Oxford but was probably what our defensive unit deserved on the night. Unfair on the rest of the team though.
Get on the phone Mark!
Glad you liked the commentary - just sorry it couldn't have been better news. Difficult to know what to make of it really. As embarrasing as it was, we were far from out classed. Oxford probably had 6 efforts on goal and scored 4. Martin only had 1 save to make. Not sure if that is good or bad news. But as a unit, the defence were shocking. Mayo looked like the player he was when he was being slated. Berthe showed a few touches and made a couple of good tackles but had a nightmare first half. As I said, positioning was my main concern. When one cross came in from the right wing, Tank picked up one striker. Dodd was marking the other one with Berthe playing sort of a sweeper role between the 2 marking space. Wouldn't have been a problem if the left winger wasn't behind Dodd meaning he was marking 2 players whilst Berthe marked space. I would be tempted to give him another half on Saturday if we don't have any new triallists ready to play.
Tank looked like he was missing not having a steady partner and wasn't as commanding as usual. Dodd took all the corners but didn't do anything outstanding in defence.
For the third friendly I have seen, Chippy looked well below his best. Nicolas played like the player we saw at the end of last season - fairly anonymous. Martin may or may not have been at fault for the 3rd goal (Too far for me to judge if it was his ball or not) but would have walked for the penalty in a real game as he was last man. Only had one other save to make.
Now for the plus points. Jarret, Hammond, Knight and CKR played well and linked well. CKR is still a bit raw and chose the wrong option a couple of times but again impressed with his power and shooting ability. Leon worked extremely hard and looked like hte Leon of old - unfortunately this includes the bad side to his game and it appears he either stamped on or kicked at a player on the ground and may well have been sent off in a real game or if Gallacher had seen it properly. Difficult for us to see but the Oxford fans reacted straight away. And, setting myself up for flaming, McCammon showed yet again why he is not a Championship Player. As at Le Havre and Lewes before he scored, he found himself in a virtual one on one and never even got a shot away. He fell over in a comical manner twice (As did Berthe btw) which at least added a bit of entertainment.
As I say, difficult to know how depressed to be. For me, the same starting line up with Blaney and a decent Left Back and Centre Back would be a good, competitive team. Chippy and Alexis need to find their form. The question is, can MM find the required players before Derby? The defence needs pace badly or else we will be exposed time and time again.
In summary, we were far from outplayed. We had more chances than they did, more corners than they did and possession was probably about 50-50. The scoreline flattered Oxford but was probably what our defensive unit deserved on the night. Unfair on the rest of the team though.
Get on the phone Mark!
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