Home Match Build Up 12/02/2022 L1: OUFC v Bolton Wanderers

[Malc]

Hopefully Long is available for this match.
Bolton are going well at the moment, mainly at home.
Their away form is identical to ours so nothing to write home about.

 

[Oxford1996]

2-1 Oxford

Stevens
Long Moore McNally Seddon
Kane Brannagan
Sykes Bodin Whyte
Baldock

Subs - Eastwood, Forde, Williams, McGuane, Holland, Taylor, Winnall​

 

[Sarge]

3-2 home win ...again

 

[Leysboy]

Who’s voted for the away win? Scrongo, Kip, or Mellowyellow…

Someone is clearly not an OUFC fan.

 

[Wanderlust]

Howdy U's.
What to expect from Bolton Wanderers:
Newly promoted, the Wanderers had a good start to the season playing manager Ian Evatt's attacking possession-based style - a season in which the aspiration is to stay in the division to consolidate after being less than 24 hours away from financial ruin and closure just 20 months ago when Sharon Brittan and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason stepped in at the last minute. The squad has been rebuilt from lower league signings, youth team and freebies and was doing OK until Covid hit which along with injuries affected 20 staff and players at the club - at which point it became obvious that whilst the first choice eleven could just about hold their own in League 1, the squad was paper thin. Throughout the latter end of 2021 we lost game after game, tumbling down the table to the point we were flirting with relegation back to L2.
Problems were compounded by a dispute with our talismanic captain Antoni Sarcevic who walked out unexpectedly over what was described as an "unspecified disciplinary matter". Striker Owen Doyle was released by mutual consent and the decks were cleared ahead of the January transfer window. Unusually, the club took a government loan and struck a deal whereby the debt was converted into shares - so now the government owns 8% of BWFC. (There have been chants about wanting to pay more taxes)
Having finally cleared the club debts the long -standing transfer embargo was lifted and in January we made our first cash signing for seven years - striker Dion Charles from Accrington affectionately known as "Celine" (someone must have been up all night thinking up that one). Three others were brought in, one for cash (Dempsey from Gillingham) alongside 2 loanees. Total January spend was around half a million however we are now a lot nearer to having strength in depth.
At the same time Ian Evatt changed the system to suit the players, adopting 352/532 and it has brought results, moving us up to mid table.
Basically the team play a high energy press, and attack with pace at every opportunity (previously we had tons of possession in useless areas) - now it's mixed up with the occasional long ball.
In the last two games, this approach has taken it's toll with the lads looking a bit jaded - well, knackered TBH - so we're expecting him to ring the changes on Saturday.
There is a lot of trepidation about this. The new signings who have brought us recent success have proven themselves to be competent at this level but there are still questions over the others notably Bodvarrson, Amaechi, Dempsey and to a lesser extent, Sadlier - all of whom we think may get a start at the Kassam.
Frankly we don't know what to expect performance wise, but have every confidence in the system/style of play.
Evatt is a bit of a fanatical firebrand, but he has proven himself to be tactically astute and may tweak things slightly to try to contain your attacks - but the general approach is to play attractive attacking football so it should be an entertaining game whichever way it goes. For us it will be our first proper look at some of the new signings.
It's likely we'll bring our full quota of fans - we always do - and the vast majority are lovely people but we do have some dickheads which the club is trying to address - 14 were banned this week so they are being rooted out as the revitalised club continues it's drive to re-engage with the community after years of dodgy ownership since the late and great Edwin Davies passed away.

I won't go as far as wishing you good luck for this game for obvious reasons, so I'll just say I hope it's an entertaining watch regardless of the result.

 

[Wandering Yellow]

2-1 Oxford

Stevens
Long Moore McNally Seddon
Kane Brannagan
Sykes Bodin Whyte
Baldock

Subs - Eastwood, Forde, Williams, McGuane, Holland, Taylor, Winnall​

Quite a bold prediction that Baldock will start unless I've missed something? Has KR said he's fit and ready to go?

Not disagreeing with you just interested!

 

[Yellowmania]

To me Tayls has looked a bit jaded in the last 2 games so maybe Sam will start, and Taylor gets a break, but who knows.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

How the game goes will IMO depend almost entirely on what sort of defence we can cobble together. If Long is fit and McNally back (even if Brown is out), that's a completely different kettle (please, no!) of fish to a Seddon, ?, Moore, Forde back line. Who will that missing person be? Mous, and hope he can last? A youngster? And in CDM - who there? I don't like McGuane there and Kane seems to be less combative than previously - Brannagan (but it's a waste playing him there really)?

 

[Paul Cannell]

This is one of those 'heaven only knows' matches.

I hope our approach being impossible to predict will confused Bolton.

 

[TailsWeWin]

Who’s voted for the away win? Scrongo, Kip, or Mellowyellow…

Someone is clearly not an OUFC fan.

That’s a rather skewed logic.
And no it wasn’t me. Looks like a 1-1.

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I put that I thought we'd lose - which isn't the same as voting 'for it'! - on the basis that I don't think McNally will be back, Long is doubtful, Brown more so and we will unfortunately be trying to 'score more than them' because with that defence we won't keep them out all game. I hope I am wrong and will be in the stadium to cheer them on to make sure that I am!

 

[Essexyellows]

I`ve punted for a draw which I`ll be happy with.

A win I will be most chuffed.

I very much doubt it`ll be 0-0.

Of course it will now be a turgid, dull 0-0 draw.

 

[Wanderlust]

I'm with Paul on this - no idea how it will go - or even what either team's selection will be.
Both teams have a big incentive to win - you to boost your promotion charge and us to keep our vague hopes of sneaking into the playoffs alive.
I guess it will come down to performances on the day.
All of which adds up to an exciting match (hopefully).

 

[werthersoriginal]

I put that I thought we'd lose - which isn't the same as voting 'for it'! - on the basis that I don't think McNally will be back, Long is doubtful, Brown more so and we will unfortunately be trying to 'score more than them' because with that defence we won't keep them out all game. I hope I am wrong and will be in the stadium to cheer them on to make sure that I am!

I've gone for 'lose', in the hope of being wrong. For some reason I can visualize 1-3, so that should mean I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Sarge]

2-1 Oxford

Stevens
Long Moore McNally Seddon
Kane Brannagan
Sykes Bodin Whyte
Baldock

Subs - Eastwood, Forde, Williams, McGuane, Holland, Taylor, Winnall​

several of that line up will probably not start ...Baldock is probably good for 30 mins or so , he is fit, but currently (IMO) not yet matchfit- for 90+ mins ...Question mark re Longys injury & question mark whether Mc Nally is back in the country too ....

Oxford United let Luke McNally decide when he is ready to return

OXFORD United will not rush Luke McNally’s return to action as the young centre back grieves the death of a close friend.

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

 

[werthersoriginal]

several of that line up will probably not start ...Baldock is probably good for 30 mins or so , he is fit, but currently (IMO) not yet matchfit- for 90+ mins ...Question mark re Longys injury & question mark whether Mc Nally is back in the country too ....

Oxford United let Luke McNally decide when he is ready to return

OXFORD United will not rush Luke McNally’s return to action as the young centre back grieves the death of a close friend.

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

“We’ve got to make sure that when our players come back fit we build on our back four.” What does that mean?

 

[MarkG]

Four ups and one down from Bolton's win over Charlton as Charles runs show

Analysis of the victory over the Addicks from a Wanderers perspective

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Bodvarsson improvement pinpointed as Bolton team selection hint given

The Iceland international is yet to start a match for Bolton but that will change in time

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Bolton target set for Oxford as Evatt makes 'unforgiving' League One assertion

Wanderers could go seven games unbeaten in League One if they avoid a loss at the Kassam Stadium

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Charles 'punches above his weight' as Bolton January signing delivers

The striker has been a revelation since joining from Accrington Stanley

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Aimson on Bolton January signings 'lifting standards' ahead of Oxford trip

Will Aimson believes quality was brought into Wanderers last month and is paying dividends

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Long standing Bolton club secretary to step down as Brittan hails service

Simon Marland will step down from his role at the end of this season

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Oxford striker sends teammates message ahead of Bolton clash

Sam Baldock wants the U's to bounce back from their loss against Accrington Stanley in the clash versus Wanderers

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[Yellow There!]

Howdy U's.
What to expect from Bolton Wanderers:
Newly promoted, the Wanderers had a good start to the season playing manager Ian Evatt's attacking possession-based style - a season in which the aspiration is to stay in the division to consolidate after being less than 24 hours away from financial ruin and closure just 20 months ago when Sharon Brittan and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason stepped in at the last minute. The squad has been rebuilt from lower league signings, youth team and freebies and was doing OK until Covid hit which along with injuries affected 20 staff and players at the club - at which point it became obvious that whilst the first choice eleven could just about hold their own in League 1, the squad was paper thin. Throughout the latter end of 2021 we lost game after game, tumbling down the table to the point we were flirting with relegation back to L2.
Problems were compounded by a dispute with our talismanic captain Antoni Sarcevic who walked out unexpectedly over what was described as an "unspecified disciplinary matter". Striker Owen Doyle was released by mutual consent and the decks were cleared ahead of the January transfer window. Unusually, the club took a government loan and struck a deal whereby the debt was converted into shares - so now the government owns 8% of BWFC. (There have been chants about wanting to pay more taxes)
Having finally cleared the club debts the long -standing transfer embargo was lifted and in January we made our first cash signing for seven years - striker Dion Charles from Accrington affectionately known as "Celine" (someone must have been up all night thinking up that one). Three others were brought in, one for cash (Dempsey from Gillingham) alongside 2 loanees. Total January spend was around half a million however we are now a lot nearer to having strength in depth.
At the same time Ian Evatt changed the system to suit the players, adopting 352/532 and it has brought results, moving us up to mid table.
Basically the team play a high energy press, and attack with pace at every opportunity (previously we had tons of possession in useless areas) - now it's mixed up with the occasional long ball.
In the last two games, this approach has taken it's toll with the lads looking a bit jaded - well, knackered TBH - so we're expecting him to ring the changes on Saturday.
There is a lot of trepidation about this. The new signings who have brought us recent success have proven themselves to be competent at this level but there are still questions over the others notably Bodvarrson, Amaechi, Dempsey and to a lesser extent, Sadlier - all of whom we think may get a start at the Kassam.
Frankly we don't know what to expect performance wise, but have every confidence in the system/style of play.
Evatt is a bit of a fanatical firebrand, but he has proven himself to be tactically astute and may tweak things slightly to try to contain your attacks - but the general approach is to play attractive attacking football so it should be an entertaining game whichever way it goes. For us it will be our first proper look at some of the new signings.
It's likely we'll bring our full quota of fans - we always do - and the vast majority are lovely people but we do have some dickheads which the club is trying to address - 14 were banned this week so they are being rooted out as the revitalised club continues it's drive to re-engage with the community after years of dodgy ownership since the late and great Edwin Davies passed away.

I won't go as far as wishing you good luck for this game for obvious reasons, so I'll just say I hope it's an entertaining watch regardless of the result.

The high energy press bit of that scares me

 

[tonyw]

I'm with Paul on this - no idea how it will go - or even what either team's selection will be.
Both teams have a big incentive to win - you to boost your promotion charge and us to keep our vague hopes of sneaking into the playoffs alive.
I guess it will come down to performances on the day.
All of which adds up to an exciting match (hopefully).

When we played you up at your place, you looked terrific going forwards and were an absolute circus at the back (the game should probably have finished 5-4 if it wasn't for some atrocious finishing/final balls).

But from your recent results, looks like Evatt has sorted you out at the back? Fair to say?

 

[MarkG]

Bolton injury update on Kachunga, Isgrove and Johnston ahead of Oxford

The attacker is stepping up his recovery from a torn thigh

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Bolton boss Evatt on Oxford, League One ambitions and away form this season

Here's what the Wanderers boss has had to say on the clash against the U's

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk