Oxford United (A) - Match Thread

[Jobyfox]

Ayew!! 

 

I know it might be too soon for Carranza, but I was hoping not to see this bloke starting again.

 

Daka is shite, but at least presses from the front and helps push the team forward 

[Finnegan]

Annoying timing for the international break. 

 

Please god let this be the last time Soumare and Skipp start together. 

 

And while you're at it oh Holy one, let Carranza score off the bench so Ayew never plays up front again. 

 

Jesus that's a grim lineup. 

 

[Claudio Fannieri]

I think Page and Nelson are fitness doubts and not being risked quite rightly when we have sufficient cover in the squad. No point risking anyone for the sake of it. Again the similarities in approach from Marti as to how Pearson used to manage. Same with how they are managing Riccy P’s workload. 

[Gloria]

Pragmatic, but it's Oxford and a marathon not a sprint etc. Why would you risk players who aren't either 100% fit or ready? Who knows, one mistake and some supporters might hold it against you forever... 😉

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Just now, Finnegan said:

Annoying timing for the international break. 

 

Please god let this be the last time Soumare and Skipp start together. 

 

And while you're at it oh Holy one, let Carranza score off the bench so Ayew never plays up front again. 

 

Jesus that's a grim lineup. 

 

 

Ayew to get the full 90 INCOMING 

[Aleksz]

Love how we bring in 4 players and some people genuinely expected/hoped them all to start off the bat and the others to be discarded and never be seen again. Football doesn’t work like that and we needed a squad.

[sharpylcfc]

Fully expect to see James and Carranza get 20 minutes at least today, I'd be disappointed if they don't. 

[PaulW]

40 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Shame to see Page lose his place in the squad and that Reid is back

He's carrying a minor injury.  No point in risking aggravating it in a young player who may still be developing physically.

[JimJams]

2 minutes ago, Richmondfox said:

Ramsey, Fatawu and Mav contain all the attacking talent so it’s on them, avoid Ayew in any build up and they will be fine.

Ayew has been better than Mav this season.  That's not saying an awful lot, just an indicator of how poor Mav has been. He needs to start performing.  So if we're singling someone out in the frontline, Stephy is the weak link so far. 

[TrentFox]

Find myself surprisingly excited about this game. Feels like we’ve reached the starting line of the season. 

[AKCJ]

2 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

 

Ayew to get the full 90 INCOMING 

You joke but there's no number 10 on the bench and Ramsey will definitely not play more than 60-70 minutes.

 

Guarantee Ayew drops into the number 10 role when Carranza comes on.

[dmayne7]

42 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

I hate to say it, but at this stage Faes is better. 

He really isn't. It's just the safer bet to go for the guy who is a full international.

[tinpot_fox]

41 minutes ago, Lesta2014 said:

No Nelson in squad, marti don’t rate him does he? 

 

41 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

Definitely 4th choice which really is a shame

 

41 minutes ago, BeaumontFox said:

F**king Ayew! Give us something to be excited by Marti 😭

 

40 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

Disappointed there's no Nelson or Page on the bench, then to really rub it in,  Bobby Reid is on it 

 

40 minutes ago, TheGoldenGod said:

I was half right then. Knew JJ wouldn't start but shame Carranza hasnt got the nod! Lots of footy to play though.

 

36 minutes ago, studentofthegame said:

It really is a shame that Nelson is 4th choice, he should either be starting or be loaned out to get a full season of development, just halting his progression by keeping him around as a 4th choice 

 

28 minutes ago, GingerrrFox said:

It is a shame to see Faes on the bench who clearly wanted to leave in the summer over Ben Nelson who we need to develop. That needs to change asap. 

 

20 minutes ago, Miquel The Work Geordie said:

Reckon we'll win but...

 

If Nelson isn't injured that's piss poor. Not arsed if Faes is better right now or any of that shite, these characters shouldn't be in the bloody side.

 

20 minutes ago, Jonezy said:

I hoped this season was the one, where we would see more of the kids, so not over joyed with this line-up. Also the Skipp/Soumare combo still annoys me, but they do seem to be improving at least.

 

12 minutes ago, Product of 84 said:

He has to protect the youngsters. They've all been playing through the international break. We've the luxury to do this.

I know there’s probably a definite element of not taking any risks with knocks and easing the new players in, but I’m glad I didn’t try and sneak into the Kassam Stadium today. I would have disappointed not to watch all the youngsters and new players in action. We should have enough to win the game on the pitch but the bench is strong too.

[Jobyfox]

Might be too early for James, but I thought now the transfer window is shut that maybe Winks would have come in for Skipp or Soumare. 
 

Even without the new players I would’ve thought Marti might have worked a few things out now:

 

Ricardo > Hamza

Winks > Skipp

Daka > Ayew (marginally) 

 

Hopefully the new players will also prove better options than Daka and Soumare. Then we might have a half decent starting line up 

[whoareyaaa]

2 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

You joke but there's no number 10 on the bench and Ramsey will definitely not play more than 60-70 minutes.

 

Guarantee Ayew drops into the number 10 role when Carranza comes on.

James ?

[ClaphamFox]

2 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

You joke but there's no number 10 on the bench and Ramsey will definitely not play more than 60-70 minutes.

 

Guarantee Ayew drops into the number 10 role when Carranza comes on.

Why? Ramsey played the full 90mins for Burnley in the EFL Cup earlier in the season.

[brookfox]

2 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

He really isn't. It's just the safer bet to go for the guy who is a full international.

Yeah, maybe Marti is using Wikipedia to pick the squad.

[Tommy Fresh]

Oxford fans genuinely think they'd have a chance of signing Nelson 

[Richmondfox]

3 minutes ago, JimJams said:

Ayew has been better than Mav this season.  That's not saying an awful lot, just an indicator of how poor Mav has been. He needs to start performing.  So if we're singling someone out in the frontline, Stephy is the weak link so far. 

While he might have been better in your view, he is still dogshit who stinks out every attack. 
 

Ayew is and will always be the weak link.  A striker who drops deep, doesn’t pass, turns his back to goal and looks to fall over at every opportunity.

 

[MPH]

Sensible by Marti. We’ve been picking up a bit of momentum and team spirit recently, it wouldn’t be right to throw all the new signings in at the same time…  by the end of the month I think our team will look a bit different,

[sharpylcfc]

Thought this was on tv today? Yet it's showing Charlton vs Millwall?

[shen]

Skipp and Soumaré did fine against Birmingham, so I can understand Cifuentes not changing it yet.

[JimJams]

5 minutes ago, AKCJ said:

You joke but there's no number 10 on the bench and Ramsey will definitely not play more than 60-70 minutes.

 

Guarantee Ayew drops into the number 10 role when Carranza comes on.

That's how I thought we'd start, with Ayew at 10 and Carranza up top with Ramsey to come on.

[Tommy Fresh]

Just now, sharpylcfc said:

Thought this was on tv today? Yet it's showing Charlton vs Millwall?

It's on +, so it'll just be coverage of the game

[CloudFox]

Bit exasperating to see Ayew start as the striker—even more so as he's been on international duty—but I get it, "don't change a winning team" (much). Glad to see Ramsey in from the start.

 

A shame Nelson and Page have picked up knocks. Hopefully they can get back in the squad once fit again.

 

Here's to a decent performance, with JJ and Carranza coming on to add some icing to the cake 🤞🏻.