Matchday Thread: Oxford v Derby

[swaledale]

I doubt we’re in danger of relegation, it’s mid October and we’re just ten games in after all.
Eustace’s achievements in the final quarter of last season were, imo, second to none in recent times at Derby and we shouldn’t forget that.
Having said that and having not seen them ‘live’ since early September, I was actually shocked by how bad we were yesterday.
Three or four nil wouldn’t have flattered Oxford and, apart from the lack of pace, leadership, and supply (crosses) it was the absence of commitment and desire to win that was, to me, so shocking.
Hopefully the return of Langas will change things, not least in terms of example and attitude, but my pre season expectation of a finish somewhere between 5th-10th is looking increasingly unlikely.
Surrender to Norwich on Tuesday and I fear Pride Park’s atmosphere will become toxic.

Indeed, though this time last year the same could have been said of Warne who got us promoted and then had to rebuild the squad from odds and sods. Eustace has had the luxury of a very good transfer budget and brought in some good players on paper, but as the saying goes, football isn't played on paper its played on grass and to date its hasn't been by Derby!

Yes its only 10 games, but IF we don't start picking up points soon then a relegation battle is going to be a fact.

[Andy_Faber]

Indeed, though this time last year the same could have been said of Warne who got us promoted and then had to rebuild the squad from odds and sods. Eustace has had the luxury of a very good transfer budget and brought in some good players on paper, but as the saying goes, football isn't played on paper its played on grass and to date its hasn't been by Derby!

Yes its only 10 games, but IF we don't start picking up points soon then a relegation battle is going to be a fact.

Bloody awful yesterday and the worrying thing to me is, unlike recent seasons, and with the odd 20-minute exception, we aren't blowing hot and cold we are lukewarm or colder all the time. Looking back through the Clowes era AND the two seaons of austerity before, we are lacking three things that are really causing me to not want to attend games (I will of course but its a slog):

1. Lack of a plan: Cocu, Rooney and Rosenior had a similar (mind-numbingly boring but hey ho) plan, even Warne had one, in fact two - plan a keeper - full back - winger - hoof it over and plan b hoof it upfield in orbit. We currently have no clear plan other than a poorly executed version of plan b above, I dread Clarke getting the ball with ten yards in front of him

2. Lack of flair: Someone on another forum said that yesterday for the first time he can remember, (I paraphrase) his heartbeat didn't quicken once during the game, it was so flat. I'd love to see a bit of flair, such as that bought to us, for all their limitations, by the likes of McGoldrick, NML, Wilson, Kasim-Richards, Hourihane, and there's currently none, its all so dull

3. Lack of whole-heartedness. Clarke and (when he can keep up) Fozzy excepted, no-one appears to want to put their body in the way of the ball, especially but not only in the box. Last year Phillips did, for his limitations Bradley did, Cashin did a lot, going back Curtis Davis and Martin Keogh did, there is too much watching of the action

We've gone backwards IMO

[ramAnag]

Indeed, though this time last year the same could have been said of Warne who got us promoted and then had to rebuild the squad from odds and sods. Eustace has had the luxury of a very good transfer budget and brought in some good players on paper, but as the saying goes, football isn't played on paper its played on grass and to date its hasn't been by Derby!

Yes its only 10 games, but IF we don't start picking up points soon then a relegation battle is going to be a fact.

Understand your concern completely. Funny though that when I criticised Warne’s signings - and let’s face it, he only made about five provenly decent ones including (technically) Langas who I don’t think ever actually played for him - the retort (not necessarily yours) was always ‘they’re NOT Warne’s choices, they’re all we can afford’.

You’re right, Eustace has had a bigger budget, but I’m not sure they’re all his choices or about the wisdom of loanees. Bobby Clark, for instance, appears to have been a disappointment who altered and offered absolutely nothing yesterday imo. Now, if the rumours are true and he’s off on a big money move to Celtic in January, how much commitment are we likely to get from him over the next two and a half months knowing that a potential injury will jeopardise that move?

[MadAmster]

If not Kenzo himself, IMO, we are missing a Kenzo type. A player who will get into space, receive the ball and give THAT pass. We lack skill and guile. The one midfielder we had who possesses that has been loaned out for the season to Go Ahead Eagles. I can only think that he was let go because he doesn't possess Ebou/Travis levels of physicality. He is, however, a footballer with skill and a brain. Has JE bopped a drollock with Kenzo?

[Ramshank72]

Didn't want to comment too soon after the game, but I'll admit to concerns. Expected a slow start, but need to see some signs, and slogging a couple of results.
Had similar concerns last year, then he turned it around, so hopefully can do so again. I'd be surprised if Clowes got itchy just yet, so he'll have opportunity.

[macstheman]

Indeed, though this time last year the same could have been said of Warne who got us promoted and then had to rebuild the squad from odds and sods. Eustace has had the luxury of a very good transfer budget and brought in some good players on paper, but as the saying goes, football isn't played on paper its played on grass and to date its hasn't been by Derby!

Yes its only 10 games, but IF we don't start picking up points soon then a relegation battle is going to be a fact.

At the basic level football is a simple game really, it's just a matter of performances ie play well and the rewards will follow, play crap then don't be surprised if the outcome ain't good.
Oxford, without wanting to be churlish, were very ordinary but made us look like a Sunday League side who'd warmed up in the bar and couldn't wait to get back in there. There's no point in talking about the non performance of either the players OR the management because anyone who watched that tripe don't need reminding! I reckon Marinakis would have broken his (was it 21minutes) post match sacking record if he was involved at Derby.
There's no beating about the bush, based on performances to date, we ARE in a relegation battle AND unfortunately one has no option but to ask one simple question 'are there three teams out there worse than us'? If there is then there's only one thing that can be said to their suffering fans is 'you have my whole hearted sympathy if you are also having to endure that load of unadulterated s h I t e'!
SORT IT EUSLESS!

[MadAmster]

The solution isn't a difficult one. When you have the ball pass to a team mate. When a team mate has the ball, move into a position where you're free to receive a pass. When the oppo has the ball, get asap into a position where you're marking "your man", ensuring he doesn't have the freedom of the county in terms of time and space and, if you can't stop him receiving the pass, take the ball off him.

That's football in a nutshell. Simple, uncomplicated. It's exactly what most of our opponents have done this season and it's exactly what Oxford did so much better than us last weekend.

[macstheman]

The solution isn't a difficult one. When you have the ball pass to a team mate. When a team mate has the ball, move into a position where you're free to receive a pass. When the oppo has the ball, get asap into a position where you're marking "your man", ensuring he doesn't have the freedom of the county in terms of time and space and, if you can't stop him receiving the pass, take the ball off him.

That's football in a nutshell. Simple, uncomplicated. It's exactly what most of our opponents have done this season and it's exactly what Oxford did so much better than us last weekend.

And if we haven't managed to do that after nearly a quarter of the season?

[MadAmster]

And if we haven't managed to do that after nearly a quarter of the season?

Time to employ someone who understands that that is how to play the game and is capable of getting it across to the players?

There's this Dutch rodent I know who has done that before...

[macstheman]

Time to employ someone who understands that that is how to play the game and is capable of getting it across to the players?

There's this Dutch rodent I know who has done that before...

I know he's nuts but why not, I'm sure he'll nibble away at the problem!