Away Match Day Thread 31/8/21 Papa John Trophy: Cambridge United v OUFC

[Jolteon]

Embarrassing set piece defending, and a ref who was a bit rubbish ruined the game, but really impressed with a few of our youngsters despite the scoreline. Goodrham, Cooper, Nosakhare, Johnson, Elechi and O'Donkor all did really well in spells, Kane looks a REALLY classy midfielder, Agyei was quiet but did what he does best and scored a worldy to hopefully bring his confidence back. I'd have Goodrham, Johnson and Nosakhare in around the first team squad if we weren't already so well stacked! Those three in particular really impressed me.

The players I was disappointed in were the more senior players if I'm honest! It was a harsh red, but McNally put himself in the position to give the ref a decision, Mous was vocal and passed ok but as captain and senior CB has to been organising the defending from those corners better. Surely he saw the lack of players on the post and having Cooper v Smith was a disaster? And then Holland I though looked good on the ball but was so selfish and seemingly refused to pass the ball - especially to the youngsters which was really disappointing because Goodrham in particular made a few really decent runs that Holland ignored. Easty was busy and made a few really decent stops but Jack is so much more commanding from set pieces and I wonder if our tactical setup (which isn't the best even with Jack imo) was so poor because it's set up for Jack.

Overall not fussed about the result, or the scoreline. Without the red it probably finishes 3-2 and it got some really decent minutes into Kane and blooded in some of the youngsters. Weirdly I think it's been an ok night all round.

 

[OxfordYankee]

Agree with most points except hope we would lose?

Won’t more games just mean more experience for our youngsters and more money for the club?

Three is enough. Go any further and there’s a temptation to play more first teamers.

It’s a side-show and an unwelcome one, in my opinion.

 

[OX14]

Agree with most points except hope we would lose?

Won’t more games just mean more experience for our youngsters and more money for the club?

No as if you go into the knockout stages half of our fans will be thinking of Wembley and want us to field a full side. Let's concentrate on the league

 

[greatunclekip]

Well that was shite. Onwards and upwards to the Championship!

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

Not impressed with Cooper's attitude, far too robust in his attempts to retrieve or win the ball - needs to calm down.

He was clearly trying really hard to impress - yes he fouled too much but someone running their socks off for 90 mins (including tracking back) while being played in an unfamiliar position (Nathan said on Rad Ox that he doesn’t like playing there, and he was right back for part of the game) isn’t what I’d call a bad attitude - he wants to play for the club and work hard, that’s good to see

 

[Jolteon]

How did Elechi do? ??

Looked good first half, faded a bit second half but our shape after the McNally red didn't help him. I'd play him over Hanson in left back that's for sure, but not sure he's quite ready for full time football just yet.

 

[Jason N]

Embarrassing set piece defending, and a ref who was a bit rubbish ruined the game, but really impressed with a few of our youngsters despite the scoreline. Goodrham, Cooper, Nosakhare, Johnson, Elechi and O'Donkor all did really well in spells, Kane looks a REALLY classy midfielder, Agyei was quiet but did what he does best and scored a worldy to hopefully bring his confidence back. I'd have Goodrham, Johnson and Nosakhare in around the first team squad if we weren't already so well stacked! Those three in particular really impressed me.

The players I was disappointed in were the more senior players if I'm honest! It was a harsh red, but McNally put himself in the position to give the ref a decision, Mous was vocal and passed ok but as captain and senior CB has to been organising the defending from those corners better. Surely he saw the lack of players on the post and having Cooper v Smith was a disaster? And then Holland I though looked good on the ball but was so selfish and seemingly refused to pass the ball - especially to the youngsters which was really disappointing because Goodrham in particular made a few really decent runs that Holland ignored. Easty was busy and made a few really decent stops but Jack is so much more commanding from set pieces and I wonder if our tactical setup (which isn't the best even with Jack imo) was so poor because it's set up for Jack.

Overall not fussed about the result, or the scoreline. Without the red it probably finishes 3-2 and it got some really decent minutes into Kane and blooded in some of the youngsters. Weirdly I think it's been an ok night all round.

I think Eastwood and Mousinho let the youngsters down. Yes Eastwood made a couple of worldies as he usually does, but his command of the box was poor as was Mousinho's

 

[Osleroad]

Isn't it a group stage atm? So we aren't entirely out of it yet...I maybe wrong on this.

 

[West Oxon U’s]

Worried about Elechi and can see why he won’t figure in the first team.

He has some good attributes - he’s quite decent with the ball and has a tremendous physique - but defending does not appear to be one of them !

I know he was really fatigued and was suffering in last 20 minutes but he could barely run and did not appear to want to tackle or block
crosses. He was allowing the Cambridge full back to run past him.

Cooper will not be good enough too, alas, and should be loaned out with Elechi.

Goodrham is going to be a player as will O’Donkor. JJ looks promising too.

 

[OX14]

Isn't it a group stage atm? So we aren't entirely out of it yet...I maybe wrong on this.

2 more games. If we win both we would still go through I think.

 

[Oxford84]

I thought Cambridge looked good. Created chance after chance in the 2nd half. Could have been double figures for them.

Thought they were pretty rubbish considering they only scored 1 from open play against basically teenagers and a man down.

 

[ttg17]

Good fun that. Thought we responded well to the sending off and did well to get back into it. Their third ended our resistance unfortunately, though 4 was harsh.

What an exciting crop we have coming through. Even in previous years in this tournament, I don't think KR's ever trusted so many youth players to start in one game. All of them looked real prospects tonight. Nosakhare can pick a pass, and GOD looks like he's grown about a foot from what I remember of him against Forest Green last year.

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

No as if you go into the knockout stages half of our fans will be thinking of Wembley and want us to field a full side. Let's concentrate on the league

The fans can want what they like, Karl Robinson could play this exact team all the way to the final if he wanted…

I can’t imagine ever wanting Oxford to lose a game - just not in my nature. Plus young players will develop best by actually playing in games of this nature… and it’s probably the only way we’ll see Dan Agyei score his central striker worldies, so I hope we get to the final!

 

[Jolteon]

I think Eastwood and Mousinho let the youngsters down. Yes Eastwood made a couple of worldies as he usually does, but his command of the box was poor as was Mousinho's

I definitely think we'd have done a lot better with Moore/Thornily and Stevens in there instead. Mous is a great coach and I was one that defended him being 4th choice CB, but I'd play Long CB and Forde in RB if we need a fourth choice, and would probably play Nosakhare over him on today's performances.

 

[OX14]

The fans can want what they like, Karl Robinson could play this exact team all the way to the final if he wanted…

I can’t imagine ever wanting Oxford to lose a game - just not in my nature. Plus young players will develop best by actually playing in games of this nature… and it’s probably the only way we’ll see Dan Agyei score his central striker worldies, so I hope we get to the final!

But the further it goes along the money you get becomes a factor. We get so much just for participating, if you go through the group stage the money only goes up if you get through the first knockout game so we couldn't really go with the kids. The other thing is with attendances so low for these games we actually make a loss of match revenue for hosting it, traveling away..

 

[Jason N]

I definitely think we'd have done a lot better with Moore/Thornily and Stevens in there instead. Mous is a great coach and I was one that defended him being 4th choice CB, but I'd play Long CB and Forde in RB if we need a fourth choice, and would probably play Nosakhare over him on today's performances.

I'd play Nosakhare as 4th choice CB. As you say Mous' is a good coach. last season his offensive set-piece moves were top draw. Please KR let Mous' stay on the sidelines.

 

[Colin B]

Was there an interview with KR after the game?

At full time iFollow went straight to adverts and then ended, and not being in Oxfordshire, I got the annoying BBC rights message when trying to listen to BBC RadOx online.

 

[Canterbury exile]

I thought Cooper worked very hard, won some tackles, made some blocks and has skill. He needs time but there is a useful squad player in there. The youngsters are very promising but not that close to first team contention just yet in my opinion. Elechi would be a decent wing back but in a flat back 4 his defending is questionable though understandably he was treading water in last 15-20 mins.

 

[Foley]

Well that was shite. Onwards and upwards to the Championship!

Don't say you saw it Kip?

 

[Eaststanding]

That wasn’t my point mate. My point was, he’s a great option and shouldn’t be overlooked when we need to change the game at the 70 minute mark. He’s a different player to Taylor and Winnall, so bringing Winnall on for Taylor is like comparing apples with apples. Dan gives us something different.

This evening Agyei scores a wonder goal but frustratingly did little else apart from hold the ball up well at times.
I really want him to do well, but I also want him to show some even more effort and endeavour and not slouch around like a jilted teenager who’s just been dumped. What else is he capable of if he can just turn it on and curl one in from 25 yards when he feels like it?
I‘m no great fan of Agyei or Winnall and I’m disappointed we haven’t brought in serious competition for Taylor in this window.