Oxford thread
 

LIke groundhog day watching Stanley at home. Plenty of effort, heroic defending but no quality in midfield. Tactics seem to be pump the ball high and long to be gobbled up by huge defenders. 2nd ball usually wasted by Murphy and Joyce. We're going down with those 2 starting week in week out.

Re: Oxford thread
 

First half we had plenty of possession but didn't really do too much with it. The second half was an even contest with both teams cancelling each other out, was a bit perplexed by taking off Webber and bringing on Richardson, especially when we need a win. We are at home and should be attacking teams and not settling for a point IMO, these slightly negative tactics helped to get more of the ball to Oxford.

Next two home games are massive and we need to win at least one of them to give ourselves a chance.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Thought the first half was very even,possibly Acci shaded it.
Both teams set up 4-4-2 and all over the field it was very much man for man,which meant they were confident of winning more of the battles.
To be fare,thought murph and Joycy had the edge in the central area in the first half and forced rigg (often our Achilles heal) instead.
It was always going to be tough in the second half,they went more direct and fatigue started to set in,but we still had a few chances.
The keeper and the two centre halves were excellent against two inform quality players.
As I send before,start with clean sheets and build from there,and against the league top scorers,that should build confidence,
Ps thought Naismith had a decent first half too.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Re: Oxford thread
 

I really hope what Beattie says to the lads is radically different to what he is saying to Dan in his interviews. He gave over a large portion of the interview to saying we need some luck to get us that first win. But you don't win enough football games to stay up through luck. You win it by burying your chances when they come.

The lads need to know in no uncertain terms that points are only good if you back them up by winning the next game. On Tuesday night we have to win. Otherwise all todays efforts are worthless. We have only got 7 goals so far this season. Not good enough. We need to commit more lads to getting in the box. We should be peppering the away sides 18 yard area when we're at home.

The sad thing about this is that the defence seems ok. The lads should have the confidence to commit to going forward. We have experienced players in the side who will sit when bomb on up the wings and commit one or two of the midfielders to getting in the box. Time is running out. Every home game that goes by without us winning is a missed opportunity. Whoever gets picked on Tuesday night has to be brave and actively look to WIN the game. I'm a bit worried we're happy to try and *pinch* results. That will not keep us in the football league.

Like I said last week, we CAN turn this around. If you think of some of the squads we had when we first got promoted, with all respect to those players, we squeezed every last bit of performance out of them. Got to make it happen though, simply waiting for a deflection or a bit of luck will only lead to us going down.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Good thing today was our defence and a point. When you only have 3, every point counts, of course we should be playing to win etc etc.

The bad things were:

Central midfield - can neither really challenge for the ball/second ball or pull the strings and make positive passes forward. Joyce played his best half in a long time, but that's really not a compliment.

Our wide midfielders don't take on their man enough, get close to the byeline and whip in a cross - you do that ten times a game, it will create a few goal scoring opportunities.

Webber is wasted playing whatever position he is meant to be playing. In a team where not many players can pass the ball, he stands out as someone with a little bit of skill. Drop one of murphy or joyce and stick him in midfield, and play either 2 other strikers, or one with hatfield in support.

Get rid of richardson. When he plays he looks lost - it's as if he's never been involved in a game before - backs away from 50:50 balls/headers, turns his back to the person in possession every time we get the ball, doesn't come looking for the ball.... I could go on and on. Basically rubbish and I would be furious if I was someone else sat on the bench and he was getting a game ahead of me.

Saying all that 3 draws from 4 games is better than consecutive defeats. Now Beattie needs to gamble and turn some of these solid defensive performances into wins. Escape from this dire situation could be Stanley's greatest triumph.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Defended well against two good strikers for this level and better performance. However, still not good enough. We don't look like we carry any real goal threat and haven't had any periods of sustained pressure on the oppositions' goal in any of the games I've seen this season.

There are green shoots, but these need to be turned into wins very quickly if we are to get out this mess. We're a quarter of the way through the season already and it needs a significant turn around. In any other club, Beattie would be on borrowed time, however I think we simply won't be able to afford to sack him if the board ever get to that decision. He's not shown enough for me to date. Im not sure what his footballing philosophy is and we don't seem to have a consistent way of playing. We have some decent players who I don't think have a pattern of play.

In our current predicament I don't want our manager coming out after games and talking to the media the way he's currently doing. He's calm and measured and there is a place for that in the game, however, not here not now. I want to see someone who is bursting with passion, someone who is busting a gut, someone who you just know is going to get the players fired up, motivated and running through brick walls for him. He doesn't project being able to do that for me.

The tactics needs reviewing for me - we don't have enough efforts on goal and the coaching staff need to quickly work out how this is corrected.

We need to develop a nasty streak and all 11 on the pitch need to outwardly show a desire and will to win. We need to change things very quickly.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Decent first half, awful 2nd.

Our c midfield are neither ball winners or ball players. They never get on 2nd ball or play any penetrating forward passes. The service to front man is disgraceful, and for a lad that is not a target man Gray battled away manfully against a giant defence.

Naismith again flattered to deceive, one decent run in first half and that was literally it.

Webber looks as though he does not fancy this level, been better off with carver hatfield or McCarten.

Bizzare moment of the day: pushing for a home win - replace a non productive forward with a midfield play struggling to cope with this level of football (Hatfield, carver and McCarten on bench)

Re: Oxford thread
 

Talking about gambling one of my mates said he saw 4 or 5 of the Stanley players in the bookies on Thursday. There's nothing wrong with having a bet but with our recent history you would think they would have more sense. Is this just me that thinks this is ill advised?:confused:

Re: Oxford thread
 

One positive from today, we have reduced the gap with the teams above us to 6 points (our goal difference is far worse).

How much longer will Beattie get? Tuesday? Saturday?
or will he get 15 games and go as far as the following Saturday vs Wycombe at home?

Something has got to give; if the results don't improve Beattie surely must realise he is the problem and step aside?
After all, its his team/tactics/game plan/formation/substitutions.

One of the key lessons to be successfull in business (or in life) is to learn from your mistakes as quickly as possible.
That way you tend to make your errors as cheap as possible and give yourself the time to get it right.
James must know he is not cut out to be a football league manager on the current evidence.
The longer he holds on, the more he damages the clubs chances of getting out of the mess he has created.
He needs to put the clubs future ahead of his own opinion about his managerial ability.

Nothing wrong with trying something and it not working out then walking away with you head held high saying you gave it your best but it didn't work out.
Far worse to keep ignoring the facts, keep ignoring your mistakes and hope you get some 'luck'. You don't get luck, you earn fortune by doing the successful things more often than your competitors.
When Man Utd win the league, they don't win it out of luck, they win it by doing the right things more often than their competitors.
I do hope he has a long hard think if he is still in charge on Tuesday and the result is not a win.
Only a win will do against a Bristol Rovers side who started the season with a lot of injuries and are still trying to find their feet and some consistency.
He has lots of support, everyone wanted a win today and everyone will want a win on Tuesday.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Forgot about Grey,he had a real go in the first half,and did well against a giant of a centre back.I know everyone wanted a win today,but let's be realistic,if they would have won,they would be top of the league.
The reason is they a good team with an excellent away record and will be there or there abouts at the end of the season.
Budget wise,we shouldn't be on the same pitch as them,but still give them a game despite missing key players.
I agree about the first substitution,when we had a number of forwards on the bench,but I presume they wanted to strengthen the central midfield which were starting to fatigue after there efforts ( it didn't work IMHO ),but you could understand why.
I am feeling upbeat about our chances of survival, KTF

Re: Oxford thread
 

[QUOTE=Jeg Red;1080332
In our current predicament I don't want our manager coming out after games and talking to the media the way he's currently doing. He's calm and measured and there is a place for that in the game, however, not here not now. I want to see someone who is bursting with passion, someone who is busting a gut, someone who you just know is going to get the players fired up, motivated and running through brick walls for him. He doesn't project being able to do that for me.

The tactics needs reviewing for me - we don't have enough efforts on goal and the coaching staff need to quickly work out how this is corrected.
[/QUOTE]
Dead right on both counts. I cut watching JB's post match video when he said he would have taken the draw before the game! Not only bottom of the league we are also bottom of the recent form league in spite of some slight improvement in the last few games. He is definitely not inspiring the required level of performance, and if he is dictating tactics he is also failing in that department too. We played today as though Kayode was playing up front, with constant forward high balls which achieved nothing. I don't blame the goalie for not rolling the ball out as our central midfielders are just not capable of any meaningful penetration, but it makes you wonder just what style of play we have practised all week. We were lucky today to come away with a point as Oxford made far more real chances to score than us, which our MOM award shows.

Re: Oxford thread
 

I know it's obvious, but it's all about sticking the ball in the net. We are not shipping goals like there's no tomorrow. We are just not scoring enough.

Last 9 games = 6 Defeats by 1 goal & 3 Draws = 3 points.

Score just one more goal per game and it's a different story.

Last 9 games = 6 Draws & 3 Wins = 15 points.

If we were getting thumped 3 & 4 week in, week out, I'd be worried.

It will come, starting on Tuesday.

Keep The Faith

Re: Oxford thread
 

Can't agree Redraine,did their keeper consistently roll the ball out from the back,play fluent football on the deck and cut us to pieces ?,answer is NO !Despite on paper having a by far a stronger team,they played hoof ball,and set pieces including long throws onto the 6-7 centre backs head.
Why?,because we worked hard to stop them playing.
In league two,teams don't stand off and let you play,it's a 100mph and you struggle to get a second touch !!.
Didn't they put 8 goals past us home and away last year ?,let's give a little credit.

Re: Oxford thread
 

1 win is all that we need to get the ball rolling.

A bit of confidence is all that is needed to banish our demons & fight are way up the table.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Course he didn't, but you are missing the point. They had 2 huge strikers who got on the ball from his kicks and gave our centre backs a hard time, though they coped well in the main. Our relatively small forwards never did that so our clearances handed Oxford the initiative every time.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Yes that's exactly the point, but our goal threat is almost none existent. We've had 22 efforts on goal in 12 matches and scored 7. Our conversion rate is 1 in 3 on target, but averaging less than 2 shots on target is not good enough. Until we redress this, we're not going to move forward and I'm not seeing any real signs of improvement in this area.

Re: Oxford thread
 

To be fair Redraine,their front four are quality,and the 6-3 kitson was playing prem football not long back and should be playing at an higher level.

Re: Oxford thread
 

I'm not quite sure what you are getting at, Football19. In the thread starter I acknowledged our heroic defending but had a moan about our lack of quality attacking play. You say we "worked hard to stop them playing"; OK, but we didn't actually stop them playing, especially in the second half when their excellent approach play on the deck cut us to pieces and could easily have resulted in a couple of goals at least. I don't know where your optimism for us to pull out of this position is coming from, but of course I always seem to be watching a different game to you! However, I was optimistic before the start when I saw the team sheet with Webber and Gray up front, but we left them feeding on scraps with our version of hoofing the ball up to Oxford's towering defenders. More of the same on Tuesday and I fear we'll be having another inquest afterwards. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Re: Oxford thread
 

To be honest, whilst we can debate till the cows come home, facing facts we operate on the lowest budget in the League.:(

I don't envy Beattie's task, working with such limited resources, but it isn't helped by the fact that some of the current crop, whilst lacking technical ability, seem to lack the cohunas for the fight. :confused:

By my last comment, I'm aiming it fair and square at a select few players. :o

Mainly Joyce and Murphy.:mad:

Whilst he had a better game today, Joyce still comes up short. I'll give the lad some credit....he tried today. But as skipper and the focal point of midfield, he's coming up short. :(

Whether he has it in his game to become one nasty, hard tackling midfield dynamo that can spot a good pass remains to be seen. I've seen very,very brief glimpses. but in the main part the lad disappoints.

I'm of the opinion, with the right motivation, Joyce can be a damn good player at this level.In my humble opinion, he lacks application, aggression, concentration and composure. Like I say....brief and fleeting glimpses of such qualities he has shown....but we're talking for very, very brief periods in games. The lad needs to strive to dominate for the lions share of games and impose himself on the opposition.:o

I'd love him to prove me and a lot of others wrong....but the clock is ticking....over 1/4 into the season and relegations don't look good on c.v's when you want to find another employer.

Murphy......whilst the lad tries.....his shortcomings are all too apparent.

Can't tackle....can't pass. no positional sense.....wanders round like the preverbial nomad.

Maybe no fault of his own, when he's asked to play in several different roles......but at this precise moment, he ain't a League 2 midfielder.

Can he improve.......Murph needs to ask himself that question.:confused:

We're restricted by who and what we can can bring in to remedy the problem....but the lad Richardson isn't any sort of answer. He's not good enough....what Newcastle ever saw in him....God only knows.:confused:

Silk purses and sows ears spring to mind......fact remains......47,48 or even 49 points from the remaining 34 games can be achieved.

But to achieve that we need to start dominating sides, making and converting chances.:o

Beatts has talked about trench warfare mentality.......high time some of the players he selects take that on board and start performing like gladiators.:(

Re: Oxford thread
 

You having a moan Redraine ?,never !!! :).The main difference between the first and second halves were that they went longer,picked up more of the second balls,which allowed them to get on the ball more in advanced positions.
I am optimistic because we didn't conceed against a good attacking team,indeed probably the best in the league.

Re: Oxford thread
 

To me....down to a rightly lauded and rewarded M.O.M. display by Bettenelli....Aldred was also immense.

All the back five....keeper and the four lads in defence played rock solid, but at times are exposed by the lack of a competative and combative midfield.:(

Re: Oxford thread
 

Could not get in today due to being 15 mins late, it would be good to leave turnstiles open a bit longer for people who have tickets in certain stands.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Dragged a Roverite to the game today. His assessment? "You could have played another ninety and still wouldn't have scored".

Hard to disagree. A lucky point garnered via a couple of shocking Oxford misses and Bettenelli wonder saves. Beattie will no doubt trot out the "unlucky" schtick but there is nothing unlucky about not shooting when we have the chance.

We created nothing...yet JB drags off the one proven finisher we have and replaces him with arguably our worst midfielder. Time wasting and hanging on for a point at home is not good enough.

I don't care how much of "a muppet" it makes me. The naysayers who slagged Rob because he was busy sorting out wages rather than their petty gripe and those who hate Coley because he'd been there longer than them can jog on.

Too many people who lived and breathed our little club have been replaced by users and well wishers who haven't the foggiest.

Bring back JC and battling to make the Crown a fortress. Bring back players who genuinely care!!!

Re: Oxford thread
 

Er, no :o

We beat them home and away last season (1-0 each time) :p

They did beat us at their place 4-0 in 2010/11 and 5-1 in 2011/12 which may be what you had in mind ........

Flukey! :D

Re: Oxford thread
 

Ha ha, very humorous! Your loyalty to the players is admirable, but perhaps you should declare your special interest when commenting on our games, for the benefit of those who do not know. They might then understand your curiously one-eyed reports, regular bigging up of the oppositions' forwards and your obsession with formations and clean sheets. For me, I don't care a toss about clean sheets so long as we score more goals than the opposition, which I always naively thought was the object of the game. Surely it hasn't escaped your notice that we haven't yet achieved this in any game this season in League2?

Re: Oxford thread
 

Double post!

Re: Oxford thread
 

Please tell us, im all ears.

Re: Oxford thread
 

They beat us 5=0 away and 3-0 at home last season. In fact we've never beaten them. Looking on the bright side I like to split the season up into thirds and see where we are after 15 and 30 matches with an aim of 20 points in each third. Our best two starts to the season have seen us with 23 points after 15 matches including last season and both times we've ended up struggling against relegation. Our worst to date saw us getting 13 points from the first 15 games the season we reached the play offs. Win the next three and we've got 13 points from the first 15. Play offs here we come!

Re: Oxford thread
 

When you're late, you need to go through the turnstile next to the changing rooms. It has Late entrance written above the gate, the gate will usually be closed but there is always somebody behind it.
If you need to be on the clayton end, just show your ticket to the steward on the gate and he/she will let you through.

I was 20 minutes late yesterday, but still got in.

Re: Oxford thread
 

I don't think there were many relegated teams that were thrashed each week. Barnet had a goal difference of -12 (the same as ours now) and Aldershot had -18. Dagenham who finished 3rd from bottom were also on -12.
I know that we've drawn a couple recently, but we will be relegated if things don't changed quickly. To be honest, I don't see much improvement between the games I've seen and the manager seems unable to change things. The team is crying out for midfield players to 'drive play forwards' and everyone can see that, yet the problem remains. OK, so it's a limited budget, but we have signed ineffectual loan players within that budget. I'm sure there are players out there who would do the job, after all, previous managers have always managed to do it.
At the moment the best we can hope for is 0-0, because if we go a goal down the game is virtually lost. Teams know this and are happy to go 1 up, knowing that the game is in the bag. They don't have to beat us 6-0, one goal gives them the 3 points most of the time.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Divison3 north - read lost in Cornwallis post !!!.
Redraine,no one on this forum wants to know that I am really Jimmy Bell :) !!
Seriously though,I have always followed Wigan for the last 39 years,but Acci are my second team.
Everything I post is my own views ( not thro rose tinted glasses).
There are always two teams on the park,and I give my views on both,basically for those who can't attend.
I thought that was what forums are all about,and it's a bit harsh saying
otherwise.
90% of posters on here have known who I am for years anyway !!
You have no given right to win a football game,and I will always give credit to teams who come to Acci with a game plan and do a number on us.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Ps - my views on clean sheets is simplistic - you don't build an house before you put foundations in :)

Re: Oxford thread
 

True, but when builders run out of money and ideas, sometimes foundations are all you get. Anyway, let's call a truce on this one. I would never question your right to post whatever you want anyway. I was up at 3.30 this morning unable to sleep, kicking every ball again from yesterdays game, so had to get the post out of my system. Sorry if I came across a bit of a pillock.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Alvin, you'll not have to drag Roverites much longer the way they are playing. He might want to get familiar with our level....

My biggest worry is these small players who for one reason or another make little effect on the game. I don't want a team of meat-heads but at this level strength counts massively.

For Tuesday I'd stick with the same team except replace Mingoia with a more orthodox midfielder cos often yesterday we seemed to be playing with two wingers and god knows we can't afford that with the lack of pace of Joyce and Murphy. If we just have an energetic midfielder to drive us forward and pick up the 2nd ball, J & M can just do their usual stuff and allow Naismith to concentrate on attacking the full back cos its clear he's not a fan of retrieving the ball. Keep Webber as the target (though yesterday he was worryingly never near the ball) and Gray, who was a huge ray of hope, feeding off him.

I genuinely think we have good players but they don't seem to have a system or know their roles within it. Which Beatts needs to get across to them.

KTF

Re: Oxford thread
 

Re: Oxford thread
 

we need a nasty bastard patrolling the centre circle. Get one of those and we'll start picking up the points.

Re: Oxford thread
 

No complaints from me, I thought it was a great game from my prospectus; both teams having had chances of taking the 3 points, plenty of effort shown by the Reds and a point taken off a team holding 2nd position in league prior to kick-off,

Re: Oxford thread
 

Your right, lets get some more SOS appeals going for last minute high court salvation. Always gees the fans up and rallies the troops ;)

Re: Oxford thread
 

After reading Yonmon's post, maybe one of the stewards would fit the bill... :rolleyes:

Re: Oxford thread
 

Sorry to hear that sir, for future reference for all, the "late gate" next to the players enterance is open from kick-off onwards and the stewards do allow transfers from there.

We'd love to open a little later if required, however our volunteer turnstile folks do like to watch the game also!!

Re: Oxford thread
 

Mr T

is the current level of stewarding required for every game?
it seems over kill.
The few I have chatted to where either jobworths or thick (Clayton End).
I can understand why Eric Whalley wouldn't pay them with washers.

Re: Oxford thread
 

We always operate with the minimum of stewards to fulfill the legal requirements, but most of the numbers attending is "pure guesswork"

At times I've considered closing areas, but that then leads to more stewards required to direct people away. (Morecambe JPT last year)

All stewards should have good attitudes all of the time, even when enforcing ground regulations. We receive a large number of positive emails and letter from fans congratulating us on a good match day experience with postive stewarding.

Any issues please feel free to let myself or SLO Robert Houseman know, we're around the reception area after the game.

Re: Oxford thread
 

I thorougly enjoyed yesterdays game , we pulled out all stops , tried very hard indeed , just a shame we didn't get 3 points , but if I'm honest I expected us to get well and truely stuffed , but chuffed to bits we got the one point.Well done lads. Role on Tues.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Mr T, thanks for the feedback.
I witnessed Clayton end Steward during a game this season, take it upon himself to patrol up and down the front of the Clayton end looking for any excuse to correct people for the most trivial of issues.

If they have time to do such pointless tasks throughout the game, it makes you wonder if we need half of them and why they spend more time watching the crowd instead of the game?
Surely the benefit of being a steward is to watch the game for free?

Re: Oxford thread
 

Stewards shouldn't "watch" the game, they should observe the crowd. Part of all Stadium Safety Certificates is for regular patrols of the gangways and walkways. Watch it at Wembley, it's a form of synchranised swimming!! And they do it in pairs!!

Re: Oxford thread
 

why would anyone want to get to a game 2 hours earlier than the kick of time and stand around in a hi-vis in the cold and rain if it wasn't to watch the game for free?

Re: Oxford thread
 

Re: Oxford thread
 

What a question!! But IF nobody was prepared to do it professional sport wouldn't exist. Sadly IF all pro sports games were policed the costs would kill us all:(

Re: Oxford thread
 

It wasn't really a question more of a cheeky morsel of whimsical persiflage to brighten up a dull thread on a rainy evening !. ...honestly !!.

Re: Oxford thread
 

For money perhaps?? Though probably not a lot.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Do we pay many of the stewards?
I thought most where volunteers?
What is the hourly rate?
What attendance do we base our steward levels on?
I thought you had to pay for the police if they considered a certain away teams following to be troublesome?

Re: Oxford thread
 

If it compares with the Emirates Stadium Dav then it's £6:00
an hour !!..
AND to join their force potential and existing Stewards must meet the following criteria, and I quote their website...

" Bright, articulate, dependable and highly motivated Safety Stewarding and Customer Support Staff at the Emirates Stadium."...

Perhaps it's a similar situation at t'Storefirst Stadium who can say ??

Re: Oxford thread
 

It's not the stewarding that's the problem,the lack of ballboys/girls is bad. The sight of the Oxford keeper having to fag the ball from the corner post on more than one occasion was embarrassing!:(
Why can't the youth team players do the job? It's all good experience!

Re: Oxford thread
 

As a former steward in the days of Eric Whalley can I just say you do it for the love of the club and NO you shouldn't be watching the match, although it is hard not to watch when the excitement gets going. The club then paid about £15 per match which if you do the sums there were approximately 30 stewards per game) works out at £450 per match, 1 policeman in the ground costs the club near £600 per match which is why the majority of our matches are Police free. Also, to be a steward, you need to pass some basic exams which include crowd control, extraction of troublemakers and basic fire control and first aid. The attendance levels are always guesstimates which is why the club have a similar number of stewards per match regardless of size of crowd. One other point is that we have Ground Regulation Stewards borrowed from security firms which do cost a little extra, but how much I do not know.
As for the stewards who you think are thick/doing a pointless task, why don't you volunteer? Or would you like to sit on a seat that some kid has put his feet on after he has stood in dog dirt etc etc. I would guess no! They are only doing a thankless job, respect them please instead of criticising them.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Of course, because that happens all the time.

I didn't realise the police cost was so expensive.
Its also a bit unfair; police at our level will only be interest in teams with away fans with reputation.
That's never likely to be our fans (maybe the Morecambe game because of the sheer numbers?).
But it is likely to be the fans of a handful of other clubs and its not the other club who pays for the police but teams like Stanley.
Seems unfair to me.

Re: Oxford thread
 

Policing costs may seem unfair, but the general rule of thumb is the home team have to pay for them. I think you may also find if a club has known trouble makers, then local police for that team may send spotters to assist in apprehending any troublemakers/fans who are barred from all football grounds:eek: