Away Match Day Thread +++ 07/08/2021 L1 Cambridge United v OUFC +++

[Eaststanding]

Cambridge looked like Relegation candidates and we couldn't beat them. Two observations: the midfield of Brannagan, Henry and Sykes wasn't good enough to get us out of this league last year so is unlikely to do so this year when the competition have strengthened. And Thornley & Seddon need more practice at going forwards. It was still good to get to an away game though!

Relegation candidates after one game? Have a little time to reflect on that one…

 

[ZeroTheHero]

Back a while ago - been thinking about what I saw.

We were a curate's egg - good in parts.

Brannagan did decent work as the CDM (more on that later), but him being so deep really does not play to his strengths. He needs to be further up the pitch and playing Henry and Sykes together as attacking midfielders didn't really work. So drop one of them, play Brannagan higher up the pitch and play Gorrin as defensive midfield. If Gorrin isn't the answer, buy someone who is. We are weak in central midfield with Sykes and Henry in there (there's a lot of leg waving but little actual proper tackling or quick tracking back when we are broken upon) - that needs to improve.

Forde really really isn't a right back, for all of his manful efforts there. We need Long fit and playing there and proper backup for when/if he can't.

We need to play to our strengths - when we kept the ball on the floor we looked OK, when we hoofed it up the pitch we looked pretty desperate and very ineffective. Taylor isn't that sort of 'holding the ball' striker - it meant the ball kept coming back at us. BUT our sole attacking strategy seemed to be to give the ball to the wide men - are we NEVER going to try to slide the ball through to Taylor from midfield for him to run onto?

Whyte looks like a proper player, glad to have him back.

The Cambridge fans who chatted to me on the way back to the car (they seem a decent bunch) thought we were better than I did. I suspect they'll have a hard time this season, but wish them well.

It was bloody brilliant to be back in a noisy Oxford crowd at an away game again!

Edit - If anyone from Cambridge United reads this, please sort out the PA in the away end. I had absolutely no idea why we were applauding at the start and could hear none of the pre match team announcements (or anything else) or any of the in game announcements such as the substitutions!

 

[OX14]

Isn't it a little too soon in the season for must anything games?

Well we don't want to be playing catch up again do we. Luckily there were 6 draws today in league 1 so we haven't lost to much ground in throwing away a game. Still think we need a rb cover and another midfielder to challenge at the top.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Start panicking! There are only 135 points available.

Doomed, we’re doomed. FFS.

 

[WuTang]

Don't worry, you won't be alone amongst those misreading the game!!

Ah, I misread the game by disagreeing with the subs that didn't work at all, along with the majority of other fans.

If you think the subs worked, fair play, but it quickly led to an equaliser and us failing to control the rest of the game.

Probably more to do with actively leaping to the clubs defense at the first opportunity, rather than taking a thought and analysing the game a little more in depth like the majority do.

 

[Scotchegg]

Ah, I misread the game by disagreeing with the subs that didn't work at all, along with the majority of other fans.

If you think the subs worked, fair play, but it quickly led to an equaliser and us failing to control the rest of the game.

Probably more to do with actively leaping to the clubs defense at the first opportunity, rather than taking a thought and analysing the game a little more in depth like the majority do.

Can you point out which of the subs gave the penalty away or contributed to us conceding? And how are you measuring the majority of fans supporting these views?

 

[Hackney Jack]

It was so good to be back today. Some sort of normality really kicked in. Seeing familiar faces and sounds was life affirming after the last year and a halve.

Not sure what Dan has to do to get ahead of sicknote Winnall. What on earth does KR see in Winnall. I'd hoped/assumed Winnall would've done the decent thing and left in the summer.

There could be some exciting days out ahead, let's get some good service into Taylor, and things will really get going.

 

[Symp59]

I think Dan and Sykes could yet be moved on by the end of the transfer market . The monies coming better players are coming .

 

[OX14]

I think Dan and Sykes could yet be moved on by the end of the transfer market . The monies coming better players are coming .

Might aswell loan Agyei out if he isn't going to play.

 

[Hackney Jack]

I'd be

I think Dan and Sykes could yet be moved on by the end of the transfer market . The monies coming better players are coming .

happy to see Sykes loaned out.

 

[Billy Billy]

I'd be

happy to see Sykes loaned out.

Funny how everyone sees the game differently! I know Sykes gave away the penalty, but I thought he had a good game and really involved throughout. Henry was the quietest of the midfielders in my view.

 

[Mad Dog]

Start panicking! There are only 135 points available.

Doomed, we’re doomed. FFS.

Nobody is panicking, and nobody thinks we're doomed!

It's one game, the first of the season, and there will always be a few teething problems at the start of a new season with a new squad.

However, there is nothing wrong with people acknowledging the fact that the mistakes regarding today's team selection, tactics and substitutions, were worryingly similar to the same mistakes being made last season, that cost us vital points, at vital times in the season, suggesting certain lessons haven't been learnt.

Hopefully it was simply a case of certain players being slightly short of minutes in preseason, due to the unfortunate circumstances that occurred, and once they've got another weeks training under their belts, and hopefully another addition or two in key positions, the landscape will look very different.

Although that still doesn't explain Robbo overlooking Agyei yet again, which even the most ferocious defenders of Robinson must admit, is very perplexing.

Since he came back into the squad, I can't think of a single player who has looked more dangerous and unsettled defences more than Agyei, which makes it all the more confusing why he keeps being left on the bench.

 

[Common Villager]

Funny how everyone sees the game differently! I know Sykes gave away the penalty, but I thought he had a good game and really involved throughout. Henry was the quietest of the midfielders in my view.

I'm a big fan of Sykes and really want to see him have a breakout season, but he does seem to have a wtf moment almost every time he plays (loose pass across the pitch, dodgy back pass to the keeper, losing it in bad positions etc.). I think it probably comes down to lapses in concentration, but he really needs to get it out of his game.

 

[Scotchegg]

Nobody is panicking, and nobody thinks we're doomed!

It's one game, the first of the season, and there will always be a few teething problems at the start of a new season with a new squad.

However, there is nothing wrong with people acknowledging the fact that the mistakes regarding today's team selection, tactics and substitutions, were worryingly similar to the same mistakes being made last season, that cost us vital points, at vital times in the season, suggesting certain lessons haven't been learnt.

Hopefully it was simply a case of certain players being slightly short of minutes in preseason, due to the unfortunate circumstances that occurred, and once they've got another weeks training under their belts, and hopefully another addition or two in key positions, the landscape will look very different.

Although that still doesn't explain Robbo overlooking Agyei yet again, which even the most ferocious defenders of Robinson must admit, is very perplexing.

Since he came back into the squad, I can't think of a single player who has looked more dangerous and unsettled defences more than Agyei, which makes it all the more confusing why he keeps being left on the bench.

What team would you have picked?

 

[Tenbury Yellow]

I'm still feeling upbeat. Couldn't make today as was picking up children from grandparents in Sheffield. I'm off to Burton on Wednesday mind. Finally, passed the Swindon bus on the way back near Derby. Asked the kids to look away.

 

[Yellow There!]

We've seen what Big Dan can offer so I can only imagine Karl is waiting for the inevitable injury Sam Winnall will pick up, and by not being played Agyei will be so enthusiastic and fired up that he'll run around all over the place and score 30 goals.

Emphasis on 'imagine'.

 

[Lincoln.yellow1]

A great day out and so good to be at an away game today, the first time for over 18 months.
Our supporters were magnificent today, especially before the game started and in the first half.
As for the game itself -
When we played the 5 - 10 & 20 yard passes quickly we were excellent, we move the ball around and had the home side all over the place, when going long too many times the ball was over hit and out of play or launched to Matty Taylor who did what he could but more often and not lost the header.
Although our goal came from a long raking pass it was certainly the exception.
Two touch football will worry any side we play, then the gaps appear to play the killer pass.
Nobody really had a bad game today, however no one really shone also.
Take the point and move on.
The real winner today was us fans being back watching the game live and watching the team we love.

 

[Mad Dog]

What team would you have picked?

If you go to page 2 of this thread, you'll see the team I picked, and yes Agyei was on the bench, as I chose Taylor's experience up front, and Whyte's trickery on the right.

It was a close call between Whyte and Agyei, and personally, I'd rotate the two all season long, whilst also giving Agyei plenty of opportunities through the middle as well.

But I can guarantee you, if we were in search of a goal to win the game, or to kill the game off, like we were today, I would've put Agyei on, miles ahead of Winnall, and would not have left him on the bench, as an unused sub!

Agyei could be huge for us this season, from the start, or from the bench, and I hope to god he's given the chance to have a run in the side, to show what he can do.

 

[Symp59]

What team would you pick. Let's be honest we are not in the know of who's fit etc . Gorrin seems to have had a problem for some time and I think Karl is definitely looking for other options Iam sure he wants Brannagan further forwards. So there could still be some surprises to come in the next few weeks. I don't think Sykes and Henry was what Karl would have wanted they are similar not strong enough against a strong midfield that won't let you play. It's like any sport it takes a while to get going but like someone said earlier the three midfield players today will not get us promoted or in the top 6 so it will definitely be changed quite soon it's a long fun season.

 

[ljs]

Funny how everyone sees the game differently! I know Sykes gave away the penalty, but I thought he had a good game and really involved throughout. Henry was the quietest of the midfielders in my view.

Both Henry and Sykes were largely ineffectual.