Matchday Thread Rams v Oxford 18/4/2026

[MadAmster]

Yet another lunchtime kick off. They really are fighting for their lives and making a proper fist of it. Just one defeat in the last 8 and that was to Soton. Honesty demands the adding of the fact that most of the other 7 games were against teams around them in the table.

O'Donnell in goal
Back 4 of Ward Sanderson Clarke Joohnston (I don't think he'l take a risk on Langas or Murkin to start.
Travis Ozoh
BBD Szmodics Banel
Morris

... is what I reckon we'll start with.

2-1 win.

[SithHappens]

I didn't get starting Johnston Saturday, rather Fozzy play as it's his position. Johnston might be fine at left back but has had limited time this season.

I think we will win and comfortably 3 nil

[ramAnag]

One of the worst performances I can ever remember came in a 1-2 home defeat to Oxford approaching three years ago.
Hope we avoid that in the ‘battle of the shoes’. Think only Ward and Fozzy remain from that horrible and unprecedentedly hot day which necessitated drink breaks, but with all our injuries and the fact that it seems more important to them than us I’ll go 1-1.

[macstheman]

IMO they have more to play for, can we raise our game now the play offs only exist in our dreams? Should we look at some of the younger lads between now and the end of the season?
We might win, we might lose, could even be a draw! Who knows?
3-3

[Ramshank72]

We haven't drew for ages, maybe that's a fair shout. A midtable team like us is a dream fixture for a fighting team, but I fancy we'll be a banana skin.
3-1 Derby

[swaledale]

IMO they have more to play for, can we raise our game now the play offs only exist in our dreams? Should we look at some of the younger lads between now and the end of the season?
We might win, we might lose, could even be a draw! Who knows?
3-3

It seems Eustace is giving some of the youngsters a go, which is good to see, no point in having them if we dont give them a chance and as you say now is the perfect time to see if they have what it takes.

[MadAmster]

It seems Eustace is giving some of the youngsters a go, which is good to see, no point in having them if we dont give them a chance and as you say now is the perfect time to see if they have what it takes.

Does it "seem" to be them getting a start or coming off the bench around the hour mark? I've not seen JE saying this anywhere. Have I missed it, somehow?

[Ramshank72]

Sensible to blood some youngsters, but we still should be looking to finish as high as possible, need to look like a genuine promotion contender in the eyes of potential signings or investors if we're serious about next season.

[MadAmster]

Agreed Shank. 4 games left. Playoffs still arithmetically possible as is beating Wrexham for 7th spot. Until top 6 is an impossibility, I'd start the strongest available side in the formation that best suits them. While it's a possibility, subs bench for Allen and Eames, giving them a good half hour or maybe more. Once the playoffs are impossible, start them. Put them under no pressure, just give them the game plan and tell them to go out and enjoy themselves, leaving it all out there on the pitch. Both will get a full pre season in and, if good enough, and I think they are, they'll ne in and around the matchday squad next season provided they continue to develop.

[MadAmster]

1-0/Outht to have been more. 73% possession 1st half, 64% 2nd. Ought to have scored more and should have made more chances than we did.

Banel enjoyed himself. Clarke was excellent again. Ref let too much go, IMO. Most of it to our detriment. 3 points. Onwards and upwards.

[SithHappens]

I thought we were getting a hat full yet could have thrown it away. Clarke hood yes apart from the one mistake which we were fortunate not to concede

[ramAnag]

I thought we were getting a hat full yet could have thrown it away. Clarke hood yes apart from the one mistake which we were fortunate not to concede

Very dominant first half without really creating chances. Poor second and credit to Oxford for never giving up.
Banel took his chance well but was otherwise largely invisible imo.
Clarke my MOTM, although I thought Travis was very competent and professional too.
Nice to see JWZ back and he was obviously delighted. Also good to see the partial reunion of a few old favourites at half time.
For me the most encouraging thing is the way in which, although hit hard by injuries, we are still outclassing other sides.
The most discouraging thing is the repeated wastefulness of that final pass.

[Andy_Faber]

First half good, second half mediocre. Monmouth goal highlight Szmodic?s tackle lowlight awful referee (for both sides) as he always is

[SithHappens]

Very dominant first half without really creating chances. Poor second and credit to Oxford for never giving up.
Banel took his chance well but was otherwise largely invisible imo.
Clarke my MOTM, although I thought Travis was very competent and professional too.
Nice to see JWZ back and he was obviously delighted. Also good to see the partial reunion of a few old favourites at half time.
For me the most encouraging thing is the way in which, although hit hard by injuries, we are still outclassing other sides.
The most discouraging thing is the repeated wastefulness of that final pass.

It was good to see some old favourites. Was surprised to see Russell Hoult considering his health situation. Really good he was well enough to attend

[ramAnag]

It was good to see some old favourites. Was surprised to see Russell Hoult considering his health situation. Really good he was well enough to attend

Couldn’t agree more. Wish him well. RVdL has put some ‘timber’ on but looked well and Darryl Powell still looks as if he could do a job for us, not bad in his mid fifties.