Away Match Day Thread +++ 13/07/2019 PSF: Woking v OUFC MDT +++

[Marked Ox]

5 games in 7 days may be a factor? ... sounds like U's defence has got a bit sloppy though?

Also, they've trained on the majority of those days as well.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I was wondering as I was listening how good an idea it is to play these games all so close together. As a fitness exercise (which is I suppose is what it is really) they have some value, but because of the chopping and changing of personnel within a game (not the mention the fact we are several major cogs short of a full engine!) it must be very difficult for the players to develop much of an understanding with their team mates. I suppose you'd hope that the next four games (Tues - Sat - Tues - Sat) will be less frenetic, less about pure fitness and more about trying to build a team.

 

[mariokempes]

I don’t think anyone’s realised this yet but what we really need is a striker

I believe you maybe the first to have mentioned it

 

[Navegante]

I think you would be, ahem, pushed to find many teams adopting this "pile 'em high" approach to friendlies over a short period of time.

Perhaps Pep, Poch & Klopp could learn a trick from KR?

 

[Foley]

I think you would be, ahem, pushed to find many teams adopting this "pile 'em high" approach to friendlies over a short period of time.

Perhaps Pep, Poch & Klopp could learn a trick from KR?

I assume that Chris Short and the sports science people are heavily involved in this schedule.
It sounds like CS is highly thought of from a fitness perspective and I would be amazed if his recommendations are not listened to?
You are right though. We should follow the top PL sides and go to Australia, The Far East and the US for our friendlies.

 

[chuckbert]

We should follow the top PL sides and go to Australia, The Far East and the US for our friendlies.

Would suit me. I've paid a fortune for tickets to ManU - Leeds in Perth next week. I'd rather see Oxford . I'm hoping the Roofe gets a run - last time I saw him play was a boxing day win at Grenoble Road when my boy was mascot.

 

[Pompeyyellows]

How are we looking without a striker? Having to keep up with goings on from a very sunny Benalmádena. Not as hot as 3 years ago but very nice and the beer is just as cheap. Keeping an eye out for any rouge “ sun sea and Scarz” stickers that might have survived lol. Keep being positive, I’m sure KR knows what he is doing. COYY

 

[Navegante]

I assume that Chris Short and the sports science people are heavily involved in this schedule.
It sounds like CS is highly thought of from a fitness perspective and I would be amazed if his recommendations are not listened to?
You are right though. We should follow the top PL sides and go to Australia, The Far East and the US for our friendlies.

If I recall correctly, KR was talking up this unique pre-season approach during a detailed RadOx interview shortly after his appointment. Way before CS joined. Just a bit weird that the majority of pro clubs (with similarly qualified sports science folks) haven't adopted a similar approach.

 

[joshua]

So who is KB

 

[Concretebob]

So who is KB

Keep up at the back!

Kevin Berkoe

 

[mariokempes]

So who is KB

Isn't he the singer with Charlie's favourites
The Moonshine Band

 

[Manorlounger]

Just got back, thankfully only 35 minutes down the road and not long to wait for a drink. Need one after that display. OK, 5th game in not many more days but, come on! That was not a good watch. Poor passing, too many mistakes (some glaring amateur stuff) and no finishing.
I got the impression that some of the youngsters wanted to "impress the gaffer" and held onto the ball for too long. Sam Long just doesn't have the pace required. We need a RB and a striker asap. We also need to be working on team play not individual performance.
Having said that, the ref was appallingly obliging to Woking who were tackling as though they had been offered a bonus for every injury caused. And, to watch a defensive wall step forward a yard and then scuff the line drawn by the ref to cover their cheating and get away with it in front of the ref and a very strong vocal protest by those of us in the seats, just incredible.

Woking could have won that 3,4 maybe 5 - 1 except for Easty and a few blocks from more by accident than intent. Such was the one sided shots on goal tally. And, of course, our only goal was scored by a player who is not even under contract!
As a spectator, not an enthralling watch, as a supporter, very worrying.
I shall not be attending any more pre-season games, mostly because of a visit to the surgeon on Tuesday but actually, I wouldn't bother. QPR and Fulham will tear us a new one. Have no desire to watch that, thank you.

 

[yellowbow]

Just got back, thankfully only 35 minutes down the road and not long to wait for a drink. Need one after that display. OK, 5th game in not many more days but, come on! That was not a good watch. Poor passing, too many mistakes (some glaring amateur stuff) and no finishing.
I got the impression that some of the youngsters wanted to "impress the gaffer" and held onto the ball for too long. Sam Long just doesn't have the pace required. We need a RB and a striker asap. We also need to be working on team play not individual performance.
Having said that, the ref was appallingly obliging to Woking who were tackling as though they had been offered a bonus for every injury caused. And, to watch a defensive wall step forward a yard and then scuff the line drawn by the ref to cover their cheating and get away with it in front of the ref and a very strong vocal protest by those of us in the seats, just incredible.

Woking could have won that 3,4 maybe 5 - 1 except for Easty and a few blocks from more by accident than intent. Such was the one sided shots on goal tally. And, of course, our only goal was scored by a player who is not even under contract!
As a spectator, not an enthralling watch, as a supporter, very worrying.
I shall not be attending any more pre-season games, mostly because of a visit to the surgeon on Tuesday but actually, I wouldn't bother. QPR and Fulham will tear us a new one. Have no desire to watch that, thank you.

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

 

[Oldham]

Well you let me know who got her up the duff, and I’ll sort him out.

?

 

[Didcot Yellow]

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

Dont let tiredness be an excuse for a poor performance, some silly mistakes that I cant put down to fatigue. The youth players, athough good in places arent ready, think Lofthouse is the closest but still not there, too easily pushed off the ball by a conference side, nevermind league one. Give them a few sub appearances and blead the better ones in during the season but none of the ones I watched today are not first team ready and I wouldnt want to rely on them too much this season.

Think Frear looked good, went a bit quiet at times but took his chance well, although I havent seen Guthrie play he sounds a good player, would have both of them If I was KR, Then all I recon we'd need would be 2 strikers and a CB.

Although the performance and result was disappointing, the match was good to build fitness, and its only a friendly. Thought Woking were a little too aggressive considering it was a friendly, few challenges that could have been a red, especially Henrys, but then again it was a friendly, just hope Henry's injury isnt too bad, it didnt look good

 

[Mellowyellow]

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

Sorry, but that had nothing to do with having had 5 games in 7 days, as the fitness levels remained high. If any performance showed that although they may have potential, the youth and U23's aren't ready for the step up, this was it. Too long on the ball resulted in incidents of them being legally barged off, poor passing decisions and naivety, when looking to open up a chance. It's all well KR talking them up, but if they are exposed to the likes of Sunderland with so little experience, it could destroy any confidence they have.

Especially in the second half, Eastwood played a blinder and saved us 3/4 goals. It was worrying the more the game went on that unless we do bring in the players KR obviously wants and needs, we will struggle. For the last 20 minutes or so it was Woking who could have scored a few if it wasn't down to Eastwood. It is so glaringly obvious what we need that how tiger can sit back and not seemingly be more proactive supporting KR is worrying. We need two strikers and 2 experienced centre backs alongside a first choice right back.

Dickie stood out, and played extremely well, but had to cover for Jones who was caught out too many times and put too many headers and passes astray. One of the officials I spoke to said that as he was aware the triallist free agent CB, who had played the last couple of games has left the club. How true that is I cant vouch for. But if we cant persuade/afford a free agent who played well when here then what's going on.

Every week brings talk of a £500,000 bid for this or that player, yet nothing seems to get over the line. Other teams seem to have things go for them more smoothly, why not us.

 

[Manorlounger]

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

Thanks. Actually looking forward to getting the job done! Shoulder rotator cuff issue. Will be good to get full movement back without pain. (hopefully)

I can understand the fitness question but, if the players were feeling the pressure, they displayed more a lack of decision making than physical fitness.
The youngsters did show promise and skills but, not League 1 first team qualities just yet. (some exceptions but not without some honing of their talent.
Maybe so many pre-season games is not ideal, let's hope the fitness team have got all monitored. The number of niggling injuries raises questions, it was also obvious today that players were having to duck out of challenges and some, Sykes in particular, were left wondering what the ref was doing. Not a nice thing to see in a pre-season "friendly"

 

[DavidB]

This year's goalkeeper kit looking quite flash!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1150042065205702656

It looks like Mrs Eastwood found a use for those old curtains that didn’t sell with the furniture!

 

[Sarge]

Just got back, thankfully only 35 minutes down the road and not long to wait for a drink. Need one after that display. OK, 5th game in not many more days but, come on! That was not a good watch. Poor passing, too many mistakes (some glaring amateur stuff) and no finishing.
I got the impression that some of the youngsters wanted to "impress the gaffer" and held onto the ball for too long. Sam Long just doesn't have the pace required. We need a RB and a striker asap. We also need to be working on team play not individual performance.
Having said that, the ref was appallingly obliging to Woking who were tackling as though they had been offered a bonus for every injury caused. And, to watch a defensive wall step forward a yard and then scuff the line drawn by the ref to cover their cheating and get away with it in front of the ref and a very strong vocal protest by those of us in the seats, just incredible.

Woking could have won that 3,4 maybe 5 - 1 except for Easty and a few blocks from more by accident than intent. Such was the one sided shots on goal tally. And, of course, our only goal was scored by a player who is not even under contract!
As a spectator, not an enthralling watch, as a supporter, very worrying.
I shall not be attending any more pre-season games, mostly because of a visit to the surgeon on Tuesday but actually, I wouldn't bother. QPR and Fulham will tear us a new one. Have no desire to watch that, thank you.

good luck for Tuesday @Manorlounger

 

[Marked Ox]

Sorry to hear today has made you feel so pessimistic manorlounger. I didn’t go so can’t comment too much but I would point out that that was our 5th game in 7 days. I’m no fitness expert but I trust Short to know what he’s doing and the science behind their strategy. The players are probably shattered - Robinson said that Gorrin has run 55km in the matches alone this week, Brannigan also over 50. They’ll rest up and regroup this week and will hopefully show the benefits by next weekend (only players who have less than a certain ‘mileage’ will play midweek), and with some additions I’m hopeful things will look different by next weekend.

And good luck with your procedure this week.

The 1st team players won't be involved at Eastleigh and will only be training this week. I reckon that will show Vs QPR.