Manorlounger
Well-known member
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2017
- Messages
- 8,672
I am not so sure that you have properly thought through your statements. The run of bad form has been there from the outset with early exits from two cup competitions amongst other poor results. The lack of investment, whether by choice or lack of available funds, has led the team away from the tried and tested method of finding and developing young talent. We are left with journeymen and players whose talents are not really up to the challenge of this division. Granted, we still have some talent in the team but how many of those will wish to stay?I am, as I'm sure are the vast majority of supporters, becoming increasingly disillusioned with this Oxford United team, not least because the incredible feel-good factor that surrounded the club for the last couple of years has almost entirely evaporated. But I am also very sceptical of modern football's short patience with managers and fans' violently knee-jerk reactions to bad results. Looking at the big picture, I have some sympathy for Pep. If you look at the team that started at Oldham on the opening day, Johnson was sold on deadline day, with no real time to get in a replacement, Ribeiro has retired, and Nelson and Hall are both out for months. Our current bad run of form has kind of coincided with losing the last two, which isn't really surprising - any team will struggle if you take out its best attacking outlet and its best defender (and footballer, to be honest). There's a lot to criticise Pep about - tactical inflexibility, the situation with Ledson and frustratingly copy-paste post match interviews - but he has been dealt a pretty bad hand in many ways, and we are still in a reasonably promising position in the league. I'm willing to retain the faith, at least until after this transfer window.
Also, can we stop with the 'fockooss' jokes. They're just the next iteration of the 'hotdog and pint' comments on literally any thread about Eales from the summer, which were very boring, and a pretty lazy way of mocking the fact that English is not our manager's first language.
You appear to be of the opinion that all will be ok and that all the criticism is of the "knee jerk" type. Far from it, those of us who have seen years of OUFC recognise the alarm signals and are deeply concerned. But, hey, wait until after the transfer window. What the hell for? Are we going to sign all those players we didn't sign pre-season? Not a chance.
So, we should stop with the "fockoos" jokes? Ok, we'll start with focus jokes. End result is the same. Hot dogs and pint jokes? Why not? Personally I am paying a lot more for my season ticket, as is my wife, and what have we seen for the additional funds? A promotion team? Hardly. Top players coming in? err nope. All contrary to what was stated by the chairman and his board. So, jokes will continue.