Match Thread Coventry City - Oxford United Match Thread - Saturday 7th Feb (242 Viewers)

[sc1940]

On the other hand, our strongest team has given up a one nil lead in the last 2 away games.

I could understand dropping Kitchen and maybe Dasilva but we needed Onyeka in if available, which he is.

 

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[PVA]

Torp alongside Grimes with Eccles at 10 worries me too, that’s basically asking Grimes to do the job of two or even three midfielders, and also drop in to cover two CBs who haven’t played much this season, it could be a complete car crash

Could be the other way round to be fair, Eccles played there against QPR and was probably our best player (admittedly a low bar) and shored up the midfield a lot more than Torp had been doing.

 

[Otis]

I imagine he sees Oxford as an easy 3 points so give both CBs a rest and ease Frank in half way through maybe…

Torp alongside Grimes with Eccles at 10 worries me too, that’s basically asking Grimes to do the job of two or even three midfielders, and also drop in to cover two CBs who haven’t played much this season, it could be a complete car crash

also, if Minny isn’t fancied on the left from the start, why not play Haji there and Simms up front then bring Minny on for Simms and push Haji up front later on? why have we bought a player in a specific position as cover then tried to play someone else out of position instead?

anyway, 3 points today and prove these doubters (me) wrong! PUSB!!

I'm pretty certain that FL does NOT see Oxford as an easy 3 points. Far from it.

They are scrapping for their lives.

 

[CCFCSteve]

Bold team. Let’s hope they step up for the manager. Still would’ve fancied Wright down the left and Simms in the middle. Would’ve also given us more height for set pieces at both ends

 

[skyblueelephant76]

Oxford don't have a striker in their starting lineup

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

Could be the other way round to be fair, Eccles played there against QPR and was probably our best player (admittedly a low bar) and shored up the midfield a lot more than Torp had been doing.

I think I’d prefer it the other way round if Eccles is disciplined enough to not wander and also not dive in to tackles

 

[Nick]

Oxford don't have a striker in their starting lineup

4-0 them

 

[ccfctommy]

Like the look of that team

 

[Nick]

Can we be wise to them moving free kicks too this time

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

I'm pretty certain that FL does NOT see Oxford as an east 3 points. Far from it.

They are scrapping for their lives.

I would hope you’re right, but I can’t see he’d make the same changes if we were playing ‘boro today?

 

[Evo1883]

My only concern is that frank doesnt seem to think the hole in midfield is an issue and that its an attitude of we will keep going until we get it right .

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

My only concern is that frank doesnt seem to think the hole in midfield is an issue and that its an attitude of we will keep going until we get it right

agree, and our reserve centre halves are even more susceptible if exposed

 

[Otis]

My only concern is that frank doesnt seem to think the hole in midfield is an issue and that its an attitude of we will keep going until we get it right .

I'll be interested to see what FL has to say in the post match about Onyeka.

As his wife is due any moment, it could be down due to that, as I mentioned earlier.

Anyone who has had a baby will know you get sleepless nights and false alarms etc. Can turn up in the dead of night at the hospital, thinking it's going to happen, only for you to be sent back home again.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Well well well! Can’t really argue with the starting line up. Grimes and DaSilva can count themselves very fortunate. Time to get the fire back in the belly and if that is not a kick up the arse for some I don’t know what will be.

That's right. If he's dropping under performing players, there are a few who shouldn't be on that pitch. Bit bizarre.

 

[Paul Anthony]

Looking at that team without Kitch and Thomas...

Does this mean we can also try something other than long throws? If we're being totally honest, they've probably ended up causing us more problems than the opposition lately and they've become largely predictable.

 

[Great_Expectations]

I’ve called out Frank’s lack of adaptability and preference for certain players before.

So I actually see it as a positive he’s been quite bold today.

Having said that I worry about the creativity of the midfield three.

Lot of reliance on the front three to be on form.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Can just see us giving away acres of space in midfield again unless we’ve tweaked the instructions.

 

[PVA]

My only concern is that frank doesnt seem to think the hole in midfield is an issue and that its an attitude of we will keep going until we get it right .

I think he does, hence the signing of Onyeka.

And he played Eccles there last week instead of Torp.

He's probably decided that for whatever reason Onyeka isn't ready to start, but that doesn't mean he hasn't recognised the issue.

 

[CCFCSteve]

My only concern is that frank doesnt seem to think the hole in midfield is an issue and that its an attitude of we will keep going until we get it right .

That middle three is a bit more solid. Not knocking Rudi but both Torp and Eccles are natural CMs

 

[shmmeee]

I imagine he sees Oxford as an easy 3 points so give both CBs a rest and ease Frank in half way through maybe…

Torp alongside Grimes with Eccles at 10 worries me too, that’s basically asking Grimes to do the job of two or even three midfielders, and also drop in to cover two CBs who haven’t played much this season, it could be a complete car crash

also, if Minny isn’t fancied on the left from the start, why not play Haji there and Simms up front then bring Minny on for Simms and push Haji up front later on? why have we bought a player in a specific position as cover then tried to play someone else out of position instead?

anyway, 3 points today and prove these doubters (me) wrong! PUSB!!

lmao the levels people go to to maintain their delusion that the CBs are amazing.

 

[Essexrobbie]

Ipswich gone ahead again at Derby

 

[shmmeee]

Markelo signing is absolutely bizarre.

 

[Shannerz]

I'm down with those centre-half changes.

That's the point of a squad; when you have players out of form, play other players. Chance for Lati and Woolf to stake their claim.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Wasn't expecting that team.

It does give a bit of an impression that FL sees it as an easier game, hence bringing in the two other CB's and also seeming to keep that attacking midfield, though we'll have to see how the team shape up to see if any tweaks have been made.

 

[CCFCSteve]

Markelo signing is absolutely bizarre.

Not really if he’s a long term target, selling club informed us someone’s come in for him and we’ve moved to sign him. Guessing that’s what happened with Bassette…let’s hope this works out better

If signing him meant we couldn’t get someone else in a position need immediately then agree but I reckon there was probably cash also available for the right player, just didn’t happen

 

[2024/25 League 1 Champs?]

lmao the levels people go to to maintain their delusion that the CBs are amazing.

not sure a) I’ve gone to any ‘level’ and b) I’ve said anywhere the CBs are amazing….

they are both perfectly good CBs for this league, just both suffering a bit of a lack of confidence, and I would’ve thought they’d be decent back ups in the premier league too if we do make it, but we definitely need to improve there, same as most areas to be honest

 

[Johhny Blue]

If you don’t win today, my predictions about you going up will be up the spout!

Even if we screw up enough to miss promotion the good thing is we won’t see you next year

 

[shmmeee]

Not really if he’s a long term target, selling club informed us someone’s come in for him and we’ve moved to sign him. Guessing that’s what happened with Bassette…let’s hope this works out better

If signing him meant we couldn’t get someone else in a position need immediately then agree but I reckon there was probably cash also available for the right player, just didn’t happen

Hes 23, Bassette was 19 when he signed. If this lad isn’t ready for Championship football this year he won’t be read for PL football next year so will be 25 before he’s likely to be there. Hardly one for the future. Just a very weird signing.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

Markelo signing is absolutely bizarre.

It’s really strange. He doesn’t strike me as a Premier League player so if he’s not ready for this season what is the point? Feels like the sort of signing a club who are expecting to be in this division next year would make.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Hes 23, Bassette was 19 when he signed. If this lad isn’t ready for Championship football this year he won’t be read for PL football next year so will be 25 before he’s likely to be there. Hardly one for the future. Just a very weird signing.

Well we don’t know he’s not ready ability wise, he’s just unfit

 

[Great_Expectations]

Been critical of Wolf. Seems very average when I’ve seen him and screams panic signing.

So big game for him today. Hoping he proves he can add value.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Hes 23, Bassette was 19 when he signed. If this lad isn’t ready for Championship football this year he won’t be read for PL football next year so will be 25 before he’s likely to be there. Hardly one for the future. Just a very weird signing.

He hasn't even played yet. Two of the wingers in the squad are here on loan, it makes sense as a long term signing. The only thing Lampard has said about him is that he isn't match fit, nothing about not being ready for Championship football.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Well we don’t know he’s not ready ability wise, he’s just unfit

He's getting desperate with his scrabbling around for evidence to prove the Austin is poor at recruitment posts he makes

 

[Jamesimus]

Hes 23, Bassette was 19 when he signed. If this lad isn’t ready for Championship football this year he won’t be read for PL football next year so will be 25 before he’s likely to be there. Hardly one for the future. Just a very weird signing.

Surely it’s occurred to you that he may just not be match fit yet?

 

[Jamesimus]

Been critical of Wolf. Seems very average when I’ve seen him and screams panic signing.

So big game for him today. Hoping he proves he can add value.

It is, I’m not sure we’ve blooded him in the right way since he’s been here to be honest, but I hope he does well.