Marti Cifuentes appointed new manager

[dmayne7]

2 hours ago, Dr The Singh said:

Its about pace and Intensity.  Also we are so one dimension. Snuff our wingers, our midfield is turd (skipp, soumare).  I have not seen anything from this kid that tackles that.  Totay was.a good example.of poor management.

Today was an example of good management. Made some bold calls out half time, with some unconventional changes (Abdul going up top) and we were much the better side in that second half. If it wasn't for a poor refereeing decision, we'd probably be coming away with 2 more points.

[Dr The Singh]

3 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

Today was an example of good management. Made some bold calls out half time, with some unconventional changes (Abdul going up top) and we were much the better side in that second half. If it wasn't for a poor refereeing decision, we'd probably be coming away with 2 more points.

Yeah, we had 1 good moment, and scored.  What else.

 

They retreated 10 yards, the formation may or may not had any impact.

[Claudio Fannieri]

4 hours ago, Collymore said:

Well Skipp started again and BDCR now seems a head of Monga. Worrying. 

Or the manager is making subs on the basis of the in game situation. One very late sub where an experienced player comes on to close a game out with 10 men, hardly means BDCR is ahead of Monga. Think people are over reacting in regards to the younger players, he has included a 16 year old and 17 year old in his line ups and also had players like Silko Thomas, Aluko and Nelson involved in his matchday squads. I have no doubt the young players will get their chances but in certain circumstances like today he made the right call. 

[HankMarvin]

8 minutes ago, Dr The Singh said:

They are poor, and what merits are they good?

 

Clearly there are better teams in the division than others, demonstrated by prior form.

 

The form table,

Those mentioned are unfancied teams, accumulating those points despite 3 better teams in the division at that time who went on to be promoted.
Enough to finish 3/4th on average over the last 5 years. 
Who have coincidentally got off to a good start this season.

Now add Boro who have an experienced manager that has won promotion previously, plus the 3 relegated teams who should all be in the mix by the end of the season.

 

[Dr The Singh]

16 minutes ago, HankMarvin said:

Clearly there are better teams in the division than others, demonstrated by prior form.

 

The form table,

Those mentioned are unfancied teams, accumulating those points despite 3 better teams in the division at that time who went on to be promoted.
Enough to finish 3/4th on average over the last 5 years. 
Who have coincidentally got off to a good start this season.

Now add Boro who have an experienced manager that has won promotion previously, plus the 3 relegated teams who should all be in the mix by the end of the season.

 

Mate, that does not answer my question.  Explain to me about Oxford.  Literally. 

Edited 13 September 2025 by Dr The Singh

[Fox85]

He should be starting 

 

                    Jacob

Ricardo okoli veestergard thomas

                  Winks JJ

Fatawu                             monga

                     Ayew

 

                  Carranza

[StriderHiryu]

6 hours ago, Paninistickers said:

Be interested to hear @StriderHiryu thoughts  on if we might have to adapt our style to be less reliant on the wingers? 

 

Despite the wide men being on paper our strongest area, every opponent so far has seemed to cope fairly well. Stephy and Abdul are more effective out wide when on the break. Seems to be nullified when we have the ball. 

 

Could we pack midfield more and play two/three of  Abdul Stephy Daka Ayew Monga Carranza much narrower and pick teams apart? 

 

 

The Oxford game was ruined tactically as soon as a man was sent off for us. I think after the next 5 we can pass a bit more judgement.

 

I didn't like Marti's initial team selection but you have to say his half time tweaks were great and we got control of the game despite having fewer players. 

 

For me the biggest issue is that Skipp and Soumare as a pairing cant control the game. Now that Winks is here until at least January, he has to start for me. And Ricardo over Hamza. 

[Ric Flair]

Picking a few players not suited to passing and controlling the ball, sets up so that his wingers are expected to find 1 v 1 situations on their own and got a blindspot well and truly with Oliver Skipp.

 

That said, he's got us fighting for everything and I do think we'll get better. His subs often impact the game which is massively important. 

 

We've been absolutely revolting for 65/70% of this season so far, quite possibly more and are averaging two points a game. Not played anyone any good yet either and our away form is suspect but he's started OK.

[Claudio Fannieri]

11 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Picking a few players not suited to passing and controlling the ball, sets up so that his wingers are expected to find 1 v 1 situations on their own and got a blindspot well and truly with Oliver Skipp.

 

That said, he's got us fighting for everything and I do think we'll get better. His subs often impact the game which is massively important. 

 

We've been absolutely revolting for 65/70% of this season so far, quite possibly more and are averaging two points a game. Not played anyone any good yet either and our away form is suspect but he's started OK.

I honestly think he knows this isn’t our strongest starting XI but that has been some  injuries and fitness issues plus the back drop of a few players actively looking to move on, so it’s been a bit chaotic. 
 

Riccy, JJ and Winks will become

more and more involved now, the Winks situation reminds me a lot of the Garry Parker stand off with MON and once resolved he came back in and was a key player. 
 

We have fight and togetherness now and I think the team selections will start to move towards our strongest team and we will really kick on. 

[Ric Flair]

1 minute ago, Claudio Fannieri said:

I honestly think he knows this isn’t our strongest starting XI but that has been some  injuries and fitness issues plus the back drop of a few players actively looking to move on, so it’s been a bit chaotic. 
 

Riccy, JJ and Winks will become

more and more involved now, the Winks situation reminds me a lot of the Garry Parker stand off with MON and once resolved he came back in and was a key player. 
 

We have fight and togetherness now and I think the team selections will start to move towards our strongest team and we will really kick on. 

I am quietly confident we evolve in to thr team we need to play the football he wants. 

[Mike1983]

8 hours ago, jayfox26 said:

And to think we could have appointed Russell Martin 🤮

Those who wanted Russell Martin had clearly never watched Southampton aside from our games against them (and they were shit in these). He's like the Danny Ward of managers. 

 

For Rangers this season: 

A full pre-season

A two-horse league

A bigger budget than every other team in it bar one

14 new players brought in

And they are still absolute dogshit

[JimJams]

5 hours ago, Mike1983 said:

Those who wanted Russell Martin had clearly never watched Southampton aside from our games against them (and they were shit in these). He's like the Danny Ward of managers. 

 

For Rangers this season: 

A full pre-season

A two-horse league

A bigger budget than every other team in it bar one

14 new players brought in

And they are still absolute dogshit

I think that last line is seriously underplaying it. They're far worse.  If they were dogshit before, I don't know what kind if shit they are now.  Somebody bring up the shit scale.

[trooky]

Hopefully by the start of October, Winks and James start in midfield, Ricky at RB,  play Ayew as 10 and start Carranza up top. 

 

Depending how that goes and if we still struggle to play our from the back I would drop Okoli for Faes, he's a solid defender but pants on the ball. 

[FoxesTalker]

Marti has been proactive with his subs so far and seems to be getting it right in that respect which is good. He's trying to turn the tide with both fans and players, which is made even more difficult with certain members of the squad. However, after yesterday, I'm growing confident (tentatively) that he's managing to field a team which is pulling in the same direction. The result wasn't ideal but after going down to 10 men, we still came away with a point.

[Chelmofox]

5 hours ago, trooky said:

Hopefully by the start of October, Winks and James start in midfield, Ricky at RB,  play Ayew as 10 and start Carranza up top. 

 

Depending how that goes and if we still struggle to play out from the back I would drop Okoli for Faes, he's a solid defender but pants on the ball. 

Ramsey should still get the 10 I think

[Dan]

He's the best at making in game changes we've had in a while but he's got to make a radical change to this XI. I'd be looking at minimum 4 changes against Cov. Extremely worrying for me if we see Skipp/Soumare ever again.

[Chelmofox]

23 minutes ago, Dan said:

He's the best at making in game changes we've had in a while but he's got to make a radical change to this XI. I'd be looking at minimum 4 changes against Cov. Extremely worrying for me if we see Skipp/Soumare ever again.

I think a big part of the starting 11 has been dealing with some behind the scenes issues. I would expect we start to see more from Winks and Faes. 

[mod hero]

18 hours ago, dmayne7 said:

Today was an example of good management. Made some bold calls out half time, with some unconventional changes (Abdul going up top) and we were much the better side in that second half. If it wasn't for a poor refereeing decision, we'd probably be coming away with 2 more points.

He needs stop making the bald calls (Skipp)

[Dan]

5 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

I think a big part of the starting 11 has been dealing with some behind the scenes issues. I would expect we start to see more from Winks and Faes. 

Likewise but I do find the Winks situation a bit odd - he's in this half way house sort of situation where he'll not start him seemingly (surely) on principle but he will bring him on. At this point I think we've got to bite the bullet and play him if he's stopped playing up. Could understand not starting James yesterday but no excuse from next week. That midfield has to make a difference. Can't bare Skipp/Soumare any longer.

[JonnyZeroFox]

His frustration is certainly like how we feel, i like that he understands the fans 

[JonnyZeroFox]

Just hope he knows playing Skipp and soumare is a big problem, and why the first half happened like it did 

[Mickyblueeyes]

It’s too early to judge him for me. However, it’s always ok to have constructive criticism of decisions. With hindsight the BCDR sub over Monga was understandable yesterday but still not sure I agree with it. 
 

I think the decision next Saturday is a big one though. If we go into it with Soumare and Skipp starting I’ll be worried as to the thinking given what has occurred every game this season. There would be no logical reason to go in with the two again. Winks is on the bench and coming on more often than not so there isn’t any statement being made. 
 

He himself said Sheff Wed (and Fiorentina) was the best we’ve been so far in terms of his style. I’m sure if the interview happened this week he would say the second half of yesterday too. Winks played a big part against SW second half. 
 

Got to start and I’d like to see Riccy and Jordan James in too. If fitness is an issue, start strong and bring them off. 
 

Do not start with those two, please.

Edited 14 September 2025 by Mickyblueeyes

[Paninistickers]

3 hours ago, Dan said:

He's the best at making in game changes we've had in a while but he's got to make a radical change to this XI. I'd be looking at minimum 4 changes against Cov. Extremely worrying for me if we see Skipp/Soumare ever again.

Tbh with that bench, it'd be difficult not to positively change games. 

 

Monga, Winks, Faes, Ricky have all directly contributed goals and/or points coming off the bench. Which isn't a surprise, as all of them are light years ahead of 98% of this division

[Filbert Fireworks]

I like him, makes effective subs and manages the game well. Makes a few bold choices. Started Ramsey when it would have been easier to let him make a cameo. Has let the academy come into the line up. 

 

Seems to have managed the chaos behind the scenes well. 

 

We actually score more than 2 goal now and can come.back from behind. 

 

Even had a player get a red for trying too hard. Honestly that was my favourite part of the game. When was the last time we saw effort like that under RVN? Never.

 

My only gripe is the skippy soumare double pivot. It smells worse than a rotten cheese board on a hot day. 

[Ric Flair]

7 minutes ago, Filbert Fireworks said:

I like him, makes effective subs and manages the game well. Makes a few bold choices. Started Ramsey when it would have been easier to let him make a cameo. Has let the academy come into the line up. 

 

Seems to have managed the chaos behind the scenes well. 

 

We actually score more than 2 goal now and can come.back from behind. 

 

Even had a player get a red for trying too hard. Honestly that was my favourite part of the game. When was the last time we saw effort like that under RVN? Never.

 

My only gripe is the skippy soumare double pivot. It smells worse than a rotten cheese board on a hot day. 

Do we?