Match Thread Coventry City - Oxford United Match Thread - Saturday 7th Feb (34 Viewers)

prufrock · 2026-02-03T10:26:49+0000

Anyone else thinks Eccles should be starting ahead of both Rudoni and Torp at the moment? He was pretty much the only player to have come away with some credit against QPR.

Also, despite the injury derailing the first part of his season, he has contributed 4 goals already this season (he had scored 5 previously in all his seasons combined with the club). I like that he was on the far post with a clever header at the weekend. He has also had some great finishes from outside the box too.

For a game against Oxford with a very good player Brannagan in midfield energy might be key. Start Eccles and replace with Rudoni or Torp after an hour if the game is still in the balance? It's a tricky one because Torp and Rudoni on their day have a bit more offensively but I think there is an argument to be had for having the "if you get get a chance and perfrom well you keep the shirt" mantra.

Cally Fedora · 2026-02-03T10:45:14+0000

Surely JDS needs a game out. Defensively Bidwell is on another level and right now that’s what we need.

edgy · 2026-02-03T10:49:29+0000

prufrock said:
Anyone else thinks Eccles should be starting ahead of both Rudoni and Torp at the moment? He was pretty much the only player to have come away with some credit against QPR.

Also, despite the injury derailing the first part of his season, he has contributed 4 goals already this season (he had scored 5 previously in all his seasons combined with the club). I like that he was on the far post with a clever header at the weekend. He has also had some great finishes from outside the box too.

For a game against Oxford with a very good player Brannagan in midfield energy might be key. Start Eccles and replace with Rudoni or Torp after an hour if the game is still in the balance? It's a tricky one because Torp and Rudoni on their day have a bit more offensively but I think there is an argument to be had for having the "if you get get a chance and perfrom well you keep the shirt" mantra.

Yep been debating this in my head this morning. I would start with Grimes, Onyeka and Eccles. Let Eccles venture further forward, as you said he is chipping in with goals.

Skyblue03 · 2026-02-03T10:49:38+0000

Id maybe go with:

Rushworth
MvE Thomas Wolf JDS
Grimes Onyeka
Esse Rudi EMC
Wright

Need a big performance from the lads, and we need to get right behind them and show we are fully with them. Hopefully get a good result and can kick on and forget the last month or so #PUSB

Sky_Blue_Daz · 2026-02-03T10:54:18+0000

Skyblue03 said:
Id maybe go with:

Rushworth
MvE Thomas Wolf JDS
Grimes Onyeka
Esse Rudi EMC
Wright

Think Emc is out injured mate, sadly.

Skyblue03 · 2026-02-03T11:10:05+0000

Sky_Blue_Daz said:
Think Emc is out injured mate, sadly.

I was hoping he wouldn't be lol if thats the case, id bring Saka in and move Esse over

Sick Boy · 2026-02-03T11:13:05+0000

SleepyGinger said:
Franks made it pretty obvious he won’t play Haji on the wing

I think it will be

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Lati JDS
Torp Grimes
Sakamoto Rudoni Esse
Wright

Wilson
Kitching
KKH
Bidwell
Onyeka
Allen
Eccles
Yang
Simms

Onyeka will 100% start.

PVA · 2026-02-03T11:28:13+0000

Cally Fedora said:
Surely JDS needs a game out. Defensively Bidwell is on another level and right now that’s what we need.

Bidwell's legs have gone.

Dasilva has been poor recently no doubt but it's Kitching that is making the howlers. Dasilva is just following team instructions by being high up the pitch.

If there is anyone in the back line that needs dropping/resting it is Kitching.

Nick · 2026-02-03T11:41:11+0000

PVA said:
Bidwell's legs have gone.

Dasilva has been poor recently no doubt but it's Kitching that is making the howlers. Dasilva is just following team instructions by being high up the pitch.

If there is anyone in the back line that needs dropping/resting it is Kitching.

Don't you think JDS fucking off and being out of position constantly impacts the rest of the defence and that it also happens when MVE does it on the other side?

PVA · 2026-02-03T11:43:01+0000

Nick said:
Don't you think JDS fucking off and being out of position constantly impacts the rest of the defence and that it also happens when MVE does it on the other side?

Yeah of course, but I'm saying that its team instructions, that's where Lampard wants them to be.

So when MVE or Dasilva are 30 yards up the pitch and the winger gets played in to the space that is not an individual error (like Kitching's was), but a tactical issue.

Nick · 2026-02-03T11:46:28+0000

PVA said:
Yeah of course, but I'm saying that its team instructions, that's where Lampard wants them to be.

So when MVE or Dasilva are 30 yards up the pitch and the winger gets played in to the space that is not an individual error (like Kitching's was), but a tactical issue.

Yeah Kitching against Norwich but against QPR he kind of had to follow up.

JDS should have been back in position covering the space.

JSL · 2026-02-03T11:48:35+0000

I think Kitching has looked poor lately as JDS has been caught out of position and he has been trying to cover for him as well as do his own job. JDS has dropped off a cliff since his suspension which looks like it could have knocked his confidence.

torchomatic · 2026-02-03T11:50:28+0000

Cally Fedora said:
Surely JDS needs a game out. Defensively Bidwell is on another level and right now that’s what we need.

Bidwell is on another level alright. Not for me.

torchomatic · 2026-02-03T11:52:21+0000

PVA said:
Bidwell's legs have gone.

Dasilva has been poor recently no doubt but it's Kitching that is making the howlers. Dasilva is just following team instructions by being high up the pitch.

If there is anyone in the back line that needs dropping/resting it is Kitching.

Exactly. JDS will be following instruction from Frank and the coaches. They need to tweak instructions. If anyone is at fault then it's Kitching. JDS is the easy target though it seems. I suppose at least it's not Wright for a change.

Cov98 · 2026-02-03T11:52:44+0000

Rushworth
MVE Lati Thomas JDS
Grimes Onyeka
Esse Eccles Yang
Simms

Would like something similar to this. Kitch has been arse recently and as much as I'd like to take Thomas out as well, changing out both centre backs probably isn't wise when we look disjointed already.

Nick · 2026-02-03T11:52:53+0000

JSL said:
I think Kitching has looked poor lately as JDS has been caught out of position and he has been trying to cover for him as well as do his own job. JDS has dropped off a cliff since his suspension which looks like it could have knocked his confidence.

That's the thing, with EMC and JDS both way out of position then Kitching is having to go over to cover a lot. Teams have been countering down our left with both the winger and the full back while JDS and EMC stand in their half.

Same down the right with MVE out of position a lot and not tracking back,

PVA · 2026-02-03T11:52:54+0000

Nick said:
Yeah Kitching against Norwich but against QPR he kind of had to follow up.

JDS should have been back in position covering the space.

Dasilva was part of an attack, our fullbacks are encouraged to get forward and are a massive part of how we play.

The ball was lost (may even have been Dasilva that lost it I can't remember exactly) and Dasilva was up the pitch, where Lampard wants him to be - not out of position.

Kitching then made two errors. The goal would have been prevented if Kitching simply heads it out of play. But after making that first mistake he then compounds it by going for a ball he was never going to win.

JSL · 2026-02-03T11:53:44+0000

Sick Boy said:
Onyeka will 100% start.

I think he has to else whats the point in having him? We need to stop the losing spiral

Nick · 2026-02-03T11:53:54+0000

torchomatic said:
Exactly. JDS will be following instruction from Frank and the coaches. They need to tweak instructions. If anyone is at fault then it's Kitching. JDS is the easy target though it seems. I suppose at least it's not Wright for a change.

So JDS is under instruction and it's not his fault but it's Kitching's fault if he is left trying to cover the space where JDS should be and the striker?

Nick · 2026-02-03T11:56:27+0000

PVA said:
Dasilva was part of an attack, our fullbacks are encouraged to get forward and are a massive part of how we play.

The ball was lost (may even have been Dasilva that lost it I can't remember exactly) and Dasilva was up the pitch, where Lampard wants him to be - not out of position.

Kitching then made two errors. The goal would have been prevented if Kitching simply heads it out of play. But after making that first mistake he then compounds it by going for a ball he was never going to win.

The full backs are a massive part of how teams have been scoring against us. While JDS and MVE are stood hands on hips and EMC was stood there, the opposition full backs spring down the wing into a huge amount of space. Norwich did it over and over which meant a lot of the time they could put crosses into the box unchallenged.

The amount of goals we have conceded where MVE has bombed on but then hasn't got back and they have had easy goals as well. Likewise when JDS lets crosses into the box completely unchallenged. No doubt that's under instruction so not his fault....

torchomatic · 2026-02-03T11:57:10+0000

Nick said:
So JDS is under instruction and it's not his fault but it's Kitching's fault if he is left trying to cover the space where JDS should be and the striker?

Well, that's down to Frank again. And his fuck up at Norwich was nothing to do with JDS and his positioning.

shmmeee · 2026-02-03T11:58:30+0000

Nick said:
So JDS is under instruction and it's not his fault but it's Kitching's fault if he is left trying to cover the space where JDS should be and the striker?

no. It’s Kitchings fault he steamed in and left himself stranded like he always does.

rob9872 · 2026-02-03T12:00:10+0000

Don't think Yang looks ready. If EMC is out then I'd go either Wright on the left or Esse left and Tats right.

My concern with those options is cover for Dasilva. None of them track back to help in the way Tats does for MVE and we dont have MVE's pace. I'd consider dropping Dasilva for KKH. I know he's RB, but is quicker and still gets forward.

Id like to drop Kitching too but Wolf doesnt fill me with confidence and Lati's pace is a worry.

Nick · 2026-02-03T12:00:38+0000

torchomatic said:
Well, that's down to Frank again. And his fuck up at Norwich was nothing to do with JDS and his positioning.

Was on about Oxford though.

In general, it doesn't help that EMC loses the ball a lot and just stands there and watches full backs attack us.

PVA · 2026-02-03T12:03:43+0000

Nick said:
The full backs are a massive part of how teams have been scoring against us. While JDS and MVE are stood hands on hips and EMC was stood there, the opposition full backs spring down the wing into a huge amount of space. Norwich did it over and over which meant a lot of the time they could put crosses into the box unchallenged.

Well yeah, and that's tactical instructions. They aren't just wandering up field for the fun of it with Lampard going mental on the sidelines.

If you've got an issue with it that's fine, but that's on Lampard not MVE and Dasilva.

If they were letting wingers dribble past them or getting caught by a ball inside them (like Dasilva was last year) then yes that's individual errors.

Being high up the pitch is not an individual error, it's a tactical issue.

Skyblueabo1111 · 2026-02-03T12:04:34+0000

rob9872 said:
Don't think Yang looks ready. If EMC is out then I'd go either Wright on the left or Esse left and Tats right.

My concern with those options is cover for Dasilva. None of them track back to help in the way Tats does for MVE and we dont have MVE's pace. I'd consider dropping Dasilva for KKH. I know he's RB, but is quicker and still gets forward.

Id like to drop Kitching too but Wolf doesnt fill me with confidence and Lati's pace is a worry.

Yang is a full South Korean International. Don't think we have seen enough of him to judge him.

JSL · 2026-02-03T12:05:33+0000

4 3 3 results in a 2 5 3 when in attack and will likely lead to issues when it breaks down which is what we have discovered recently. I think other teams have worked out how to exploit us on this. If we want to play with the fullbacks high up the pitch in attack, then we have to go 3 at the back with wingbacks in a 3 4 3 formation instead surely

PVA · 2026-02-03T12:09:05+0000

JSL said:
4 3 3 results in a 2 5 3 when in attack and will likely lead to issues when it breaks down which is what we have discovered recently. I think other teams have worked out how to exploit us on this. If we want to play with the fullbacks high up the pitch in attack, then we have to go 3 at the back with wingbacks in a 3 4 3 formation instead surely

Average player positions against QPR was a 2-4-4!

shmmeee · 2026-02-03T12:28:25+0000

Skyblueabo1111 said:
Yang is a full South Korean International. Don't think we have seen enough of him to judge him.

He’s played 50 mins of full international football and wasn’t in the last couple of squads. I think it’s fair to say he’s more an U21 right now.

Robinshio · 2026-02-03T12:29:16+0000

prufrock said:
Anyone else thinks Eccles should be starting ahead of both Rudoni and Torp at the moment? He was pretty much the only player to have come away with some credit against QPR.

Also, despite the injury derailing the first part of his season, he has contributed 4 goals already this season (he had scored 5 previously in all his seasons combined with the club). I like that he was on the far post with a clever header at the weekend. He has also had some great finishes from outside the box too.

For a game against Oxford with a very good player Brannagan in midfield energy might be key. Start Eccles and replace with Rudoni or Torp after an hour if the game is still in the balance? It's a tricky one because Torp and Rudoni on their day have a bit more offensively but I think there is an argument to be had for having the "if you get get a chance and perfrom well you keep the shirt" mantra.

no plays too close to the defence, especially now we have Frank the tank, we would be very defensive

AFCCOVENTRY · 2026-02-03T12:29:51+0000

Cov98 said:
Rushworth
MVE Lati Thomas JDS
Grimes Onyeka
Esse Eccles Yang
Simms

Would like something similar to this. Kitch has been arse recently and as much as I'd like to take Thomas out as well, changing out both centre backs probably isn't wise when we look disjointed already.

I suspect Frank will give the defence one more go with a new look midfield.

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Kitch JDS
Onyeka Grimes
Tatsu Rudoni Esse
Wright

Ccfcisparks · 2026-02-03T12:31:21+0000

shmmeee said:
He’s played 50 mins of full international football and wasn’t in the last couple of squads. I think it’s fair to say he’s more an U21 right now.

To be fair you said Onyeka wasn't playing for Nigeria at AFCON

JSL · 2026-02-03T12:32:29+0000

PVA said:
Average player positions against QPR was a 2-4-4!

View attachment 48979

I dont disagree but leaving 2 at the back is the same net result and potentially the underlying problem

Brighton Sky Blue · 2026-02-03T12:34:17+0000

PVA said:
Average player positions against QPR was a 2-4-4!

View attachment 48979

Just who we are mate, just who we are.

Cov98 · 2026-02-03T12:36:37+0000

AFCCOVENTRY said:
I suspect Frank will give the defence one more go with a new look midfield.

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Kitch JDS
Onyeka Grimes
Tatsu Rudoni Esse
Wright

Yeah I can see us lining up like this.
On paper probably our best team.

Match Thread Coventry City - Oxford United Match Thread - Saturday 7th Feb (34 Viewers)

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