Away Match Day Thread 23/04/2022 L1: Rotherham United v OUFC

[Swaby39]

Think people have a short memory with Sykes. He was arguably our best player in the early part of the season. He’s a talented boy and contributed greatly to our season but his situation stinks of someone who completely lost focus in January. It may be his move away was closer than we thought and when it fell through he just lost that hunger to wear the shirt. His mind may be elsewhere.

My view is I’d keep him in a heartbeat if this is where he wanted to be. Anything less than complete commitment from him and I’d let him go. We need a squad full of people who want to do well for this club next year, no passengers.

 

[RgYellows]

I'm actually against the majority on Kane. He looked great when he played his proper role. He was a fish out of water when he was asked to play more defensively, which is a problem with our lack of defensive cover rather than a problem with him.

He is proven at this level, and our midfield is opening up with Brannagan surely on his way.

Put him alongside a DM and a proper box-to-box player bursting with energy and he's a team of the season type player.

There is not much chance we get to move Seddon on, I think. To be honest, we saw that there was a player in there, and Karl should be able to find him again rather than playing wingers at LB - even if competition should be signed.

 

[Shosho]

Think people have a short memory with Sykes. He was arguably our best player in the early part of the season. He’s a talented boy and contributed greatly to our season but his situation stinks of someone who completely lost focus in January. It may be his move away was closer than we thought and when it fell through he just lost that hunger to wear the shirt. His mind may be elsewhere.

My view is I’d keep him in a heartbeat if this is where he wanted to be. Anything less than complete commitment from him and I’d let him go. We need a squad full of people who want to do well for this club next year, no passengers.

The tricky part with Sykes is that he's arguably only produced for ~6months (or less) in the 3/3.5 years he's been with us.

This season has been his most productive, however I (and I think many others) still have a sense that he has under performed to an extent. I don't think he has the physicality for the Championship but if he can get that Championship money, good for him.

I feel indifferent about Sykes going. I trust we will recruit an upgrade and will already have the wheels in motion on who will replace him.

 

[Followtheox1]

Karl needs to be ruthless, but not sure if he’s got it in him.

Henry, Winnall, Hanson, Mous, Kane, Holland, Sykes, Long (squad player only), Seddon and I’m not sure about McGuane need to be shipped out.

Sign Baldock

That’s for starters.

Karl needs to be ruthless, but not sure if he’s got it in him.

Henry, Winnall, Hanson, Mous, Kane, Holland, Sykes, Long (squad player only), Seddon and I’m not sure about McGuane need to be shipped out.

Sign Baldock

That’s for starters.

I like Baldock but there is a reason he was let go by Derby. I think the risk around injuries is too much. We already have Brown in terms of injury risk. While I understand the desire to sign players of that caliber and the only reason we can is because of their injury records, how often are these signings working out? We need to move away from this policy, it just doesn't work. Robinson even kept Robbie Hall on because he was good for the squad even though he never played due to injury. Mous this season, why was he here as a player?

 

[Swaby39]

The tricky part with Sykes is that he's arguably only produced for ~6months (or less) in the 3/3.5 years he's been with us.

This season has been his most productive, however I (and I think many others) still have a sense that he has under performed to an extent. I don't think he has the physicality for the Championship but if he can get that Championship money, good for him.

I feel indifferent about Sykes going. I trust we will recruit an upgrade and will already have the wheels in motion on who will replace him.

I agree with the latter part there - I can’t say I’d be too gutted if he left but had he finished the season the way he started, it would be a major loss.

Appreciate it took him a while to ‘bloom’ but perhaps that is to his credit in that he has continued to work hard. He didn’t disappear out on loan to find his mojo. He’s stuck at it and this season he really started to shine and I just think the temptation of the championship can define some players; you can be a Cameron Brannagan and show your best self in every game and respect the club that’s put you in the shop window, or you can go to ground and feel sorry for yourself. I think Sykes is in that bracket, unfortunately.

I agree that league one is probably his level and in the championship he may be a little overwhelmed. I suspect Ruffels would sacrifice his new weekly wage here and there to get a game. That’s the prospect Sykes faces in my view.

 

[Jster]

If Huddersfield get promoted (or even if not), they may want to offload Ruffels. We could do worse.

 

[uptheus]

If Huddersfield get promoted (or even if not), they may want to offload Ruffels. We could do worse.

Please, no!

 

[BigCrompy]

I like Baldock but there is a reason he was let go by Derby. I think the risk around injuries is too much.

Absolutely nothing to do with their horrific and crippling financial issues, then..?

 

[uptheus]

I like Baldock but there is a reason he was let go by Derby. I think the risk around injuries is too much. We already have Brown in terms of injury risk. While I understand the desire to sign players of that caliber and the only reason we can is because of their injury records, how often are these signings working out? We need to move away from this policy, it just doesn't work. Robinson even kept Robbie Hall on because he was good for the squad even though he never played due to injury. Mous this season, why was he here as a player?

Not sure Baldock falls into the ‘injury prone’ category, but what I’ve seen of him he’s a class striker.

 

[uptheus]

Think people have a short memory with Sykes. He was arguably our best player in the early part of the season. He’s a talented boy and contributed greatly to our season but his situation stinks of someone who completely lost focus in January. It may be his move away was closer than we thought and when it fell through he just lost that hunger to wear the shirt. His mind may be elsewhere.

My view is I’d keep him in a heartbeat if this is where he wanted to be. Anything less than complete commitment from him and I’d let him go. We need a squad full of people who want to do well for this club next year, no passengers.

I don’t care what he did, it’s what he does and to me his heart isn’t hear anymore and I think his head’s got too big.

I think there’s much better out there

 

[Scotchegg]

However, if there is better out there and, if they want to play for a KR team (something I believe many have said no to) then let's go for them.

Who do you believe has turned down the chance to play for Oxford due to Robinson?

 

[tonyw]

Having slept on it, I think it is now clear what is required to move us forward next season.

A better GK who can distribute the ball better and command his area with authority.

Two new first choice full backs. SL is a romantic choice as he is local but would he get into any of the 7 teams above us? I doubt it. Seddon hasn’t been up to the standard required.

Send Kane back and don’t pursue his signature. His inability to read danger and attempt bloody cruyff turns in dangerous areas has cost us on various occasions (Morecambe and yesterday to name a couple).

Sykes can go. He’s not been interested for a while now and I’m not sure his output has been especially outstanding or irreplaceable.

We must find a midfielder who can dictate terms in midfield and can impose himself on games - we have lacked this all season, after identifying it as an issue during the play off abomination last year!

Whyte and Holland can return to their parent clubs. Neither have done enough to warrant a contract with us, Whyte has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the season.

Sign Bodin. He is excellent and deserves a contract.

Robinson needs to evolve. He needs to be adaptable in his approach and accept that he’s got the recruitment wrong this time. It’s a squad that is imbalanced and heavily reliant on Taylor’s goals. I’d not be against a sporting director coming in. I think Robinson could do with having more accountability for his performance and decision making.

Next week, I’d love to see O’Donker, Anifiwose and Tyler Goodrham get a game. Donny are down and we can’t go anywhere so let’s throw the young lads in and see what they’ve got about them.

Great post.....agree with everything.

I think Sam Long is a good player for a League One squad. He can play all three defensive positions competently; decent in the air, likes a tackle, great engine.
But I don't think he should be our first choice at any position - he's a squad player that can come in and cover across the back four as needed.

Having Long allows you to go forward with one less defender in your squad because of his versatility.
But - note to KR! - this means you can safely go forwards with seven defenders that you can reasonably call on for 90 minutes every week. It does not mean that you can get away with five so you can sign another pair of wingers.

Working on the basis that we can keep McNally, sign Brown but probably can't find a taker for Seddon, I think a squad including two new first choice fullbacks, McNally, Moore, Long, Brown & Seddon would be very good for League One.

 

[Osleroad]

If Huddersfield get promoted (or even if not), they may want to offload Ruffels. We could do worse.

Surely we don't want someone who converted from his natural position to play RB. [emoji15]

 

[uptheus]

Great post.....agree with everything.

I think Sam Long is a good player for a League One squad. He can play all three defensive positions competently; decent in the air, likes a tackle, great engine.
But I don't think he should be our first choice at any position - he's a squad player that can come in and cover across the back four as needed.

Having Long allows you to go forward with one less defender in your squad because of his versatility.
But - note to KR! - this means you can safely go forwards with seven defenders that you can reasonably call on for 90 minutes every week. It does not mean that you can get away with five so you can sign another pair of wingers.

Working on the basis that we can keep McNally, sign Brown but probably can't find a taker for Seddon, I think a squad including two new first choice fullbacks, McNally, Moore, Long, Brown & Seddon would be very good for League One.

Said this last season, but got slated for it as many fans got too emotive because he’s a local lad.

Re; Brown, I’m not overly sure about him as I think he lacks mobility, but he’s been the best of a bad bunch on that left side which I guess can have an impact on people’s judgement.

 

[Mellowyellow]

Who do you believe has turned down the chance to play for Oxford due to Robinson?

Don't you think its getting a little silly now? Anytime someone mentions even a negative thought towards kr, you respond in the same protective way as the David Walliams character used to in Little Britain, whenever the Prime Minister he worked for was criticised

 

[Yellowmania]

Not sure Baldock falls into the ‘injury prone’ category, but what I’ve seen of him he’s a class striker.

Err, have you seen his stats over the past 5 years.
Agree with the class striker bit though.

 

[Scotchegg]

Don't you think its getting a little silly now? Anytime someone mentions even a negative thought towards kr, you respond in the same protective way as the David Walliams character used to in Little Britain, whenever the Prime Minister he worked for was criticised

I don't care what you think.

 

[Swaby39]

I don’t care what he did, it’s what he does and to me his heart isn’t hear anymore and I think his head’s got too big.

I think there’s much better out there

In which case you’re in that class with a short memory! Not really sure it’s fair to say his head is too big - have you spoken to him personally? Like the rest of us, I doubt it. So you can only assess his football which for the most part and when played in a forward position he’s had an excellent season. The rumours appeared to coincide with his downturn in form but considering he played a different position every other week I think he did OK - just not his best. There is such a thing as form in football and it does come and go based on all sorts.

Were it not for Sykes at times in the first half of the season we’d have been out of the race long before now. He really showed up where others didn’t. Nobody could question his desire, attitude and application and he even started adding the goals and assists which people continuously held against him.

There are always other options out there but sometimes it’s better the devil you know and if KR can be sure he will apply himself, he’d be crazy not to keep him. But if he wants away, let him go because we don’t want 50% of him.

 

[Followtheox1]

Absolutely nothing to do with their horrific and crippling financial issues, then..?

No, well not according to Rooney anyway. He was clear at the time and said it was for football reasons and football reasons alone and nobody else from club involved in the decision. Having said that, it doesn't mean it was down to injuries either to be fair to those who feel my point on his injury record was not valid

 

[Followtheox1]

Err, have you seen his stats over the past 5 years.
Agree with the class striker bit though.

Yes he hasn't played that many games in the last five years but fair enough maybe down to reasons other than injuries. I wrongly presumed for such a class act to have not played that much was down to injuries.