Ex Player Mark Sykes

[ljs]

Moaning about bad or annoying things is fine but I get fed up with people endlessly saying the same things here and piling on some bloke who's no doubt doing his best and isn't the only offender. Can start to feel like bullying. I actually find people at games more philosophical, or at least more varied in their criticism.

Bodin is a good shout but I reckon there will be a surprise package this year.

I think Bodin will turn out to be a decent player for us. He looked calm and composed and quite skillful in the game. Also watching him in pre match warm up he has a decent and accurate shot on him.

 

[Golden Dr Otto]

I think the forum is actually the highest quality it’s ever been. It’s well moderated and has a high quota of thoughtful reflective thinkers covering a broad spectrum of views.

There will always be disagreement but it’s predominantly done in a very respectful way compared to the rest of social media out there. It’s also well considered and ill thought out opinion is readily challenged which keeps the bar high.

it is not a bad thing to allow different opinions to flourish and have space. I see absolutely no evidence of anyone bullying a player.

I also don’t buy into this idea of scapegoats. Inevitably as with all parts of life there will be a scale of ability. Oxford United, if it’s to progress, needs to be a meritocracy where the best players are kept and played. And those not as good are challenged to perform or replaced. As paying spectators who want the club to achieve we can support them on the field but analyze where opportunities for progress exist within our payroll.

My moneys on CamBran as I think I’ll make good money on the long odds after he gets drunk on a night out with Gavin Whyte and gets a Robin tattooed on his forehead

 

[Oxt1]

My moneys on CamBran as I think I’ll make good money on the long odds after he gets drunk on a night out with Gavin Whyte and gets a Robin tattooed on his forehead

I always assumed it would be Damian Batt that went down that tattoo route!

 

[Junior_1]

Back to Sykes.

Has he ever been given a run of games in the same attacking position? I’m struggling to think when he has.

Like what’s been mentioned, the higher up he plays for the more effective he’ll be. Get him to work alongside Henry closely in training and learn from him as that’s the player he could quite easily turn into.

 

[OxfordYankee]

Back to Sykes.

Has he ever been given a run of games in the same attacking position? I’m struggling to think when he has.

Like what’s been mentioned, the higher up he plays for the more effective he’ll be. Get him to work alongside Henry closely in training and learn from him as that’s the player he could quite easily turn into.

Has he ever merited one?

My opinion: for all his natural ability, his end product just isn’t there regularly enough to hold down a number 10 role in a promotion chasing L1 side. The ultimate ‘nearly’ player. “Nearly a great pass”, “nearly a great goal”.

Perhaps he needs a change of scenery, manager, tactics or teammates. Perhaps.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I’m probably wide of the mark here but I like him on the wing. He’s quick-footed and skilful and can get a decent cross in, though he would need to work on that. All the fouling makes him a bit of a liability in the centre. It’s a shame we don’t have five subs now because I’d often want to bring him on to use his energy against a tiring side.

 

[Followtheox1]

But don’t rule out a late burst by Hanson.

That results in a hamstring injury!

 

[oufc1991]

I’m probably wide of the mark here but I like him on the wing. He’s quick-footed and skilful and can get a decent cross in, though he would need to work on that. All the fouling makes him a bit of a liability in the centre. It’s a shame we don’t have five subs now because I’d often want to bring him on to use his energy against a tiring side.

Don’t disagree but for me Sykes should play in the #10 position he has the ability to glide past players he’s got tricks can play a wonderful through ball he just needs composure in front of goal

 

[horseman]

I’m probably wide of the mark here but I like him on the wing. He’s quick-footed and skilful and can get a decent cross in, though he would need to work on that. All the fouling makes him a bit of a liability in the centre. It’s a shame we don’t have five subs now because I’d often want to bring him on to use his energy against a tiring side.

except with 5 subs there would be no tiring side...i'll get my coat

 

[PottersRightBoot]

Back to Sykes.

Has he ever been given a run of games in the same attacking position? I’m struggling to think when he has.

Like what’s been mentioned, the higher up he plays for the more effective he’ll be. Get him to work alongside Henry closely in training and learn from him as that’s the player he could quite easily turn into.

He could never be as slow as Puffing James - third favourite for the Scapegoat Stakes.

 

[Gregortheox]

I think there's a worrying trend right now on social media, and running through a great deal of society that says criticism and negativity is not warranted.
Quite clearly, personal abuse and bullying is a completely different thing - and needs to be dealt with, but in the real world criticism and negativity is useful, often valid and totally inevitable. In my experience so far, criticism can be the shot in the arm you need in order to up your game. There is no need to create the weird narrative of 'ramming it back down peoples throats' or 'proving people wrong'. At the time of criticism and negative feedback, its often justified, and at times the receiver will get defensive or angry in the knowledge that there is a chunk of truth in what is being said. The truth can be painful.

This has to be a good season for Sykes. I see something in him, but I find his decision making very odd.

 

[windmill]

Don’t disagree but for me Sykes should play in the #10 position he has the ability to glide past players he’s got tricks can play a wonderful through ball he just needs composure in front of goal

Composure in front of goal is clearly a natural ability. I do not think you can drill it into someone on the training ground,,,,,,,,,,,mores the pity.

 

[Reynolds97]

Don't think we can break into the top 6 with Sykes in a 10 role, never looked clinical in front of goal, Blackpool at home for example that 1 on 1 which could have potentially changed the game? Last time i thought he could potentially play higher was Newcastle at home, hasnt overly impressed since imo.

 

[werthersoriginal]

I think there's a worrying trend right now on social media, and running through a great deal of society that says criticism and negativity is not warranted.
Quite clearly, personal abuse and bullying is a completely different thing - and needs to be dealt with, but in the real world criticism and negativity is useful, often valid and totally inevitable. In my experience so far, criticism can be the shot in the arm you need in order to up your game. There is no need to create the weird narrative of 'ramming it back down peoples throats' or 'proving people wrong'. At the time of criticism and negative feedback, its often justified, and at times the receiver will get defensive or angry in the knowledge that there is a chunk of truth in what is being said. The truth can be painful.

This has to be a good season for Sykes. I see something in him, but I find his decision making very odd.

I wasn’t objecting to criticism and negative opinions per se, more to the way that people sometimes all pile in on some player, and it becomes a kneejerk response that X is bad.

I really hope Mark isnt using this site as part of his personal development plan!

 

[oufc1991]

I wasn’t objecting to criticism and negative opinions per se, more to the way that people sometimes all pile in on some player, and it becomes a kneejerk response that X is bad.

I really hope Mark isnt using this site as part of his personal development plan!

Why not if he’s reading this thread then at least he will realise abit of tough love btw if he is reading then mark pull your finger out get your head down and show everyone what you can become and what you can do

 

[ljs]

I wasn’t objecting to criticism and negative opinions per se, more to the way that people sometimes all pile in on some player, and it becomes a kneejerk response that X is bad.

I really hope Mark isnt using this site as part of his personal development plan!

It would be another bad decision on his part if he was. [emoji6]

 

[The mighty Aldo]

I think Mark Skyes could learn from Sam Long
At the start of last season most of us would have said he isn’t first choice right back, especially as he was following in Caddens footsteps
KR didn’t think he was first choice because he brought in Clare, then because of KR’s failings to get defensive cover Sam was thrown in at CB. When the Clare experiment didn’t work Sam reverted to right back and got better and better
So Mark Sykes should take every opportunity he has to make a claim wherever he is played.
Having said that he should be given a run in his best position and he does need to get to the gymn and bulk out a bit to give himself an even better chance, as Long did

 

[Steve Gilbert]

I wasn’t objecting to criticism and negative opinions per se, more to the way that people sometimes all pile in on some player, and it becomes a kneejerk response that X is bad.

I really hope Mark isnt using this site as part of his personal development plan!

People pile in on Robinson at the drop of a hat, people pile in to say Agyie is the answer, people pile in after a player signs and doesn’t hit the ground running straight away.
Football is fickle and is full of knee jerk reactions.
unfortunately in the Mark Sykes case, as I said before, it’s the same conversation. The guy has talent but isn’t consistent and can’t be trusted to perform week in week out without making a stupid mistake. That isn’t knee jerk after 2 and half years of being here.

 

[werthersoriginal]

People pile in on Robinson at the drop of a hat, people pile in to say Agyie is the answer, people pile in after a player signs and doesn’t hit the ground running straight away.
Football is fickle and is full of knee jerk reactions.
unfortunately in the Mark Sykes case, as I said before, it’s the same conversation. The guy has talent but isn’t consistent and can’t be trusted to perform week in week out without making a stupid mistake. That isn’t knee jerk after 2 and half years of being here.

Yes, people pile in on the overly positive side too, e.g. Agyei / Mcguane is the messiah. I agree that Sykes is worthy of discussion as he’s a bit of a conundrum, there isn’t an obvious answer.

 

[The mighty Aldo]

I t

People pile in on Robinson at the drop of a hat, people pile in to say Agyie is the answer, people pile in after a player signs and doesn’t hit the ground running straight away.
Football is fickle and is full of knee jerk reactions.
unfortunately in the Mark Sykes case, as I said before, it’s the same conversation. The guy has talent but isn’t consistent and can’t be trusted to perform week in week out without making a stupid mistake. That isn’t knee jerk after 2 and half years of being here.

I think that is unfair to say people pile in on KR about Mark Sykes
Most of the posts are saying that he has talent but needs to improve.
Dan Agyei and the lack of defensive cover different story,I feel as do many others that Robinson can’t come out with comments like bare bones about defenders when he could almost field a team of wingers
Re Dan Agyei not sure what he has to do to get on the pitch, not saying he should start every game but he has proven himself at turning games around