Great result with a battling performance
Aug 25, 2019 8:59:49 GMT
philbemmygas, Antonio Fargas, and 12 more like this
Post by stevek192 on Aug 25, 2019 8:59:49 GMT
After the win in the week against what I would describe as probable relegation candidates I looked upon yesterdays game as a chance to see where we are at the present time and have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at both how w eplayed and more importantly the result. No real surprise that it was an unchanged team as we sought to build on the encouraging result the other night.The thing I would stress at this time is that I hope the two victories will not now mean that there are no further signings as that would be a big mistake as we still lack the ability to change formation and a bit of pace in the attacking third but most importantly a central midfielder to Create and dominate the midfield. 41% possession in a home game speaks for itself and if there is any criticism then it would be the amount of time that we didn't have the ball. There can be little doubt that the effort and commitment was there for all to see and defensively it was another excellent performance and it was a totally battling display in which Upson shone and scored a brilliant rare goal and Ogogo chase and hassled the same as Sinclair used to but with more control and class.
I would stress straight away that it is good to write a report and have to pick on one or two errors in the whole game to criticise although it could also be looked on that people remember one or two things to praise a players performance.
Jaakkola 7 Very promising in the way he controlled his area and took some crosses under pressure but some question marks over the goal which seemed to beat him too easily from long range although it was as close to his post as it could have gone. We could have a good keeper at last that actually belongs to us and for those who were disappointed we didn't get Bonham just watch the two goals he conceded for Gillingham! I don't think this keeper is far behind and if the fans keep off his back could well become a favourite.
Davies 8.5 What a signing! Puts his body on the line for the team and makes few mistakes. Another great signing by our Manager and the Head Scout. If they can pick up a few gems before deadline day then our season can be a memorable one.
Craig 8.5 Showed again just why he spent all those years in a better level of football than us! He goes about his job casually and does what he has to do which in most cases is have his opponent in his pocket! The back three system is made for him and really covers up any weaknesses there may be.
Kilgour 8.5 Comingh on nicely and looks the part. Big and strong but skilful on the ball. Made two poor passing mistakes within a few seconds of each other but other than that he was superb. My only problem with having a back three is that we probably need to sign another centre half to provide enough cover because I am not convinced that Mayonaise is up to the required standard.
Hare 8.5 Little is going to have to wait for a return to the side unless he is given a game Tuesday in any changes GC makes because it is a Cup game.Hare has been great since he came in and has one hell of a cross on him with two assists already. We were told it was Leahy who was the expert assist maker but perhaps Hare is going to prove to be the greater find.
Clarke 7.5 First half was more of the same from our captain especially after another stupid booking which means he has to hold back for the rest of the game from his natural game but to his credit he improved considerably in the second half and it will be great if he can take his second half form into the next game. Brilliant work to set up Nichols for his goal and all we need from Ollie is more of this dynamic running as we just don't see enough from him.
Upson 9 MOM Now showing what a good player he can be especially if people get off his back. Superb strike to put us level and spread the ball around throughout the game and brought Hare into the game to set up Clarke Harris .The midfield three can work if Ollie Clarke can maintain his second half contribution.
Ogogo 8.5 For me this was why GC brought him in.He is our Stuart Sinclair but better as he plays with his head as well as his feet. Covered every inch of the pitch and Oxford certainly would have known he was there. Some of his challenges look borderline but that's how it should be and the game is better for some good old challenges as long as they are fair. I would like to see the game man up a bit more in the refereeing sense because too often a good hard tackle is penalised wrongly.
Leahy 8 Would have to be pickity to find fault with his performance yesterday and instead praise him for an individual moment when he calmly cleared the ball off the line in the second half. Not quite as effective as Hare but not far behind and if we are patient he could prove to be a very good signing.
Smith 5.5 Worked hard but a little light weight. Was he unlucky to have his "goal" disallowed in the second half? Not sure if it was penalised for offside or a foul as from where I was stood there seemed little wrong. He does at time get out muscled and is a bit Nicholesque but he does have something about him and always seems to get in the right position and whenever a goal is scored or a save made he is not far away. Worth persevering with this partnership up front and see where it takes us unless GC can pick up another gem before deadline day.
Clarke-Harris 7.5 His fitness is building up so God help League 1 defences-the Beast is back for feeding! Brilliant header from a brilliant cross and led the line well before going off to a well deserved ovation.
Subs: Adeboyejo 6 Didn't have long and I think there is more to come from him.
Nichols 7 At last a goal from Nichols and what a sublime turn and finish it was! Set6 up following a great Ollie Clarke run and finished so classically that I couldn't believe it was Nichols. Is this another false dawn or could it be the start of something good? Only time will tell.
Rodman NOLE One great defensive header but not involved long enough to make any judgements.
Crowd 7.5 Noisy but just not enough. If we expect owners to do their part and pay money into the club then we must do the same and turn up in numbers that can give the club a chance of breaking even. The ones who did turn up created a great atmosphere and a fantastic send off by both the crowd and the club to a fantastic player in Junior Agogo who passed on far too soon this week.Junior Agogo RIP Legend.
Ref 8 This was a fiery affair and could easily have gone out of control but I think the referee deserves praise for the way he controlled the match and refrained from using that second yellow card. It is a much better match played between two teams of equal numbers and showing a bit of discretion to keep it that way.
Oxford 7.5 a good footballing side who I think will end up in the top half of the table. Easy for some to pass them as an out of form team to hold back on praise of our teams effort but for me they were the best team we have played over 90 minutes this season- I felt both Coventry and to a certain extent Blackpool as well was both down to our performance rather than theirs and both games could have gone a different way but for individual moments but there again the same could be said of yesterdays game.
GC- he's there to be shot down when things go wrong so he must be praised when things go well. I am not one of those who would have DC back as I don't think he would have been a good Manager above mid League 1 and probably League 2 is his level. Yesterday GC got everything right but I still feel that the time to judge him is after the transfer deadline to see what his squad actually looks like. On yesterdays performance all of his signings looked good , some especially so and if he can pick up a couple more good signings then we could be watching better football and more consistent football. It wouldn't take much to make this team good but there again to do nothing could result in a long hard season.
I think GC's quote of not getting too UP when things are good and not getting too DOWN when things are down perfectly sums up how I am feeling at this time.
What would I like to see come in? A creative strong central midfielder and a good winger as priority. A proven striker and another centre half would not go amiss especially as we look like we may stick to the three centre halves.
I have intentionally not mentioned the Snake in this report because yesterday there was only one legend- Junior Agogo RIP.
I would stress straight away that it is good to write a report and have to pick on one or two errors in the whole game to criticise although it could also be looked on that people remember one or two things to praise a players performance.
Jaakkola 7 Very promising in the way he controlled his area and took some crosses under pressure but some question marks over the goal which seemed to beat him too easily from long range although it was as close to his post as it could have gone. We could have a good keeper at last that actually belongs to us and for those who were disappointed we didn't get Bonham just watch the two goals he conceded for Gillingham! I don't think this keeper is far behind and if the fans keep off his back could well become a favourite.
Davies 8.5 What a signing! Puts his body on the line for the team and makes few mistakes. Another great signing by our Manager and the Head Scout. If they can pick up a few gems before deadline day then our season can be a memorable one.
Craig 8.5 Showed again just why he spent all those years in a better level of football than us! He goes about his job casually and does what he has to do which in most cases is have his opponent in his pocket! The back three system is made for him and really covers up any weaknesses there may be.
Kilgour 8.5 Comingh on nicely and looks the part. Big and strong but skilful on the ball. Made two poor passing mistakes within a few seconds of each other but other than that he was superb. My only problem with having a back three is that we probably need to sign another centre half to provide enough cover because I am not convinced that Mayonaise is up to the required standard.
Hare 8.5 Little is going to have to wait for a return to the side unless he is given a game Tuesday in any changes GC makes because it is a Cup game.Hare has been great since he came in and has one hell of a cross on him with two assists already. We were told it was Leahy who was the expert assist maker but perhaps Hare is going to prove to be the greater find.
Clarke 7.5 First half was more of the same from our captain especially after another stupid booking which means he has to hold back for the rest of the game from his natural game but to his credit he improved considerably in the second half and it will be great if he can take his second half form into the next game. Brilliant work to set up Nichols for his goal and all we need from Ollie is more of this dynamic running as we just don't see enough from him.
Upson 9 MOM Now showing what a good player he can be especially if people get off his back. Superb strike to put us level and spread the ball around throughout the game and brought Hare into the game to set up Clarke Harris .The midfield three can work if Ollie Clarke can maintain his second half contribution.
Ogogo 8.5 For me this was why GC brought him in.He is our Stuart Sinclair but better as he plays with his head as well as his feet. Covered every inch of the pitch and Oxford certainly would have known he was there. Some of his challenges look borderline but that's how it should be and the game is better for some good old challenges as long as they are fair. I would like to see the game man up a bit more in the refereeing sense because too often a good hard tackle is penalised wrongly.
Leahy 8 Would have to be pickity to find fault with his performance yesterday and instead praise him for an individual moment when he calmly cleared the ball off the line in the second half. Not quite as effective as Hare but not far behind and if we are patient he could prove to be a very good signing.
Smith 5.5 Worked hard but a little light weight. Was he unlucky to have his "goal" disallowed in the second half? Not sure if it was penalised for offside or a foul as from where I was stood there seemed little wrong. He does at time get out muscled and is a bit Nicholesque but he does have something about him and always seems to get in the right position and whenever a goal is scored or a save made he is not far away. Worth persevering with this partnership up front and see where it takes us unless GC can pick up another gem before deadline day.
Clarke-Harris 7.5 His fitness is building up so God help League 1 defences-the Beast is back for feeding! Brilliant header from a brilliant cross and led the line well before going off to a well deserved ovation.
Subs: Adeboyejo 6 Didn't have long and I think there is more to come from him.
Nichols 7 At last a goal from Nichols and what a sublime turn and finish it was! Set6 up following a great Ollie Clarke run and finished so classically that I couldn't believe it was Nichols. Is this another false dawn or could it be the start of something good? Only time will tell.
Rodman NOLE One great defensive header but not involved long enough to make any judgements.
Crowd 7.5 Noisy but just not enough. If we expect owners to do their part and pay money into the club then we must do the same and turn up in numbers that can give the club a chance of breaking even. The ones who did turn up created a great atmosphere and a fantastic send off by both the crowd and the club to a fantastic player in Junior Agogo who passed on far too soon this week.Junior Agogo RIP Legend.
Ref 8 This was a fiery affair and could easily have gone out of control but I think the referee deserves praise for the way he controlled the match and refrained from using that second yellow card. It is a much better match played between two teams of equal numbers and showing a bit of discretion to keep it that way.
Oxford 7.5 a good footballing side who I think will end up in the top half of the table. Easy for some to pass them as an out of form team to hold back on praise of our teams effort but for me they were the best team we have played over 90 minutes this season- I felt both Coventry and to a certain extent Blackpool as well was both down to our performance rather than theirs and both games could have gone a different way but for individual moments but there again the same could be said of yesterdays game.
GC- he's there to be shot down when things go wrong so he must be praised when things go well. I am not one of those who would have DC back as I don't think he would have been a good Manager above mid League 1 and probably League 2 is his level. Yesterday GC got everything right but I still feel that the time to judge him is after the transfer deadline to see what his squad actually looks like. On yesterdays performance all of his signings looked good , some especially so and if he can pick up a couple more good signings then we could be watching better football and more consistent football. It wouldn't take much to make this team good but there again to do nothing could result in a long hard season.
I think GC's quote of not getting too UP when things are good and not getting too DOWN when things are down perfectly sums up how I am feeling at this time.
What would I like to see come in? A creative strong central midfielder and a good winger as priority. A proven striker and another centre half would not go amiss especially as we look like we may stick to the three centre halves.
I have intentionally not mentioned the Snake in this report because yesterday there was only one legend- Junior Agogo RIP.
