6 hours ago
Pleased to get a much needed win. 3 points closer to safety.
I wasn't pleased with the performance or Mason's selections through...
Selection wise, it was the same old same old. We saw the inevitable winger swap that happens every time we lose, with Johnston coming in for Illing-Junior. Bit harsh on Illing-Junior really, as he was one of our best players against Charlton. But Mason has history of dropping players on the back of a good performances, Johnston should never have been left out for the Charlton game in the first place, as he was our best performer against Sheffield Wednesday (and generally).
Personally, in a must win at home, I think Mason should've started with all 3 of Johnston, Illing-Junior and Grant (or another striker) and dropped Price back. However, Mason clearly will not tweak anything in the middle of the park. I can already tell Issac Price is his favourite and will start in the number 10 role no matter what, and he will always play with 2 stoppers. Albeit, Mulumby returning will help as he offers energy at least, something that we really lack with Mowatt and Diakite.
Performance wise, I thought we started well for the first 15-20 minutes. We played with energy and attacking intent. However, after failing to score in that period, we reverted to type, with lots of slow, laborious possession. The only real threat we carried came exclusively through Mikey Johnston, who was impressive throughout. The lad just keeps attacking and attacking. Unfortunately, he's get little support from the rest of our midfield.
When Oxford scored, I thought we were done given our lack of creation. Fortunately for us, an error gifted us a swift equaliser, with the goalkeeper pushing Style's routine shot into his own defender.
The winner was a good goal though. A rare moment of quality from Issac Price with the cross and a great header from Heggebo. Maybe it was a flash in the pan, but just shows what he's capable of when we actually get balls in from the byline.
That said, after seeing the team selection and performance, I do think it's only a matter of time before Ryan Mason goes. We'll not score playing like that against better teams.
You can't play with a right back that doesn't cross the halfway line and 2 sitting midfilders. There's just not enough forward options, especially when our number 10, Price has about as much creative flair as a shoebox. On the subject of the right back, Gilchrist, I could do the job he's doing. He only crosses the halfway line if he's taking a throw in and just passes to his nearest player every time he gets the ball. I wouldn't mind if he was a solid defender, but every time anyone ran at him they went around him and he was nowhere to be seen for the goal.
I know this is one of the new footballing fads to have 1 full back defending and the other 1 attacking, but surely if you're playing with 2 sitting midfielders who always stay goal-side of the ball, both full backs have to go.
But what do I know... we managed to win so hopefully this is the start of a winning run... onwards and upwards.
I wasn't pleased with the performance or Mason's selections through...
Selection wise, it was the same old same old. We saw the inevitable winger swap that happens every time we lose, with Johnston coming in for Illing-Junior. Bit harsh on Illing-Junior really, as he was one of our best players against Charlton. But Mason has history of dropping players on the back of a good performances, Johnston should never have been left out for the Charlton game in the first place, as he was our best performer against Sheffield Wednesday (and generally).
Personally, in a must win at home, I think Mason should've started with all 3 of Johnston, Illing-Junior and Grant (or another striker) and dropped Price back. However, Mason clearly will not tweak anything in the middle of the park. I can already tell Issac Price is his favourite and will start in the number 10 role no matter what, and he will always play with 2 stoppers. Albeit, Mulumby returning will help as he offers energy at least, something that we really lack with Mowatt and Diakite.
Performance wise, I thought we started well for the first 15-20 minutes. We played with energy and attacking intent. However, after failing to score in that period, we reverted to type, with lots of slow, laborious possession. The only real threat we carried came exclusively through Mikey Johnston, who was impressive throughout. The lad just keeps attacking and attacking. Unfortunately, he's get little support from the rest of our midfield.
When Oxford scored, I thought we were done given our lack of creation. Fortunately for us, an error gifted us a swift equaliser, with the goalkeeper pushing Style's routine shot into his own defender.
The winner was a good goal though. A rare moment of quality from Issac Price with the cross and a great header from Heggebo. Maybe it was a flash in the pan, but just shows what he's capable of when we actually get balls in from the byline.
That said, after seeing the team selection and performance, I do think it's only a matter of time before Ryan Mason goes. We'll not score playing like that against better teams.
You can't play with a right back that doesn't cross the halfway line and 2 sitting midfilders. There's just not enough forward options, especially when our number 10, Price has about as much creative flair as a shoebox. On the subject of the right back, Gilchrist, I could do the job he's doing. He only crosses the halfway line if he's taking a throw in and just passes to his nearest player every time he gets the ball. I wouldn't mind if he was a solid defender, but every time anyone ran at him they went around him and he was nowhere to be seen for the goal.
I know this is one of the new footballing fads to have 1 full back defending and the other 1 attacking, but surely if you're playing with 2 sitting midfielders who always stay goal-side of the ball, both full backs have to go.
But what do I know... we managed to win so hopefully this is the start of a winning run... onwards and upwards.