WBA53 match thread

[boingy]

All in a days work. 4th from top and it wouldn't surprise me if we stay in the play off places all season again. How does Carlos do it? 12 players gone out, lots of loan players and were playing better than last season already!

[kettering_baggie]

That’s a very good win for Oxford United against Stoke.












Oh, I was confused by the shirts.

[Omegstrat6]

Had a few shaky moments in the second half but a win away at Stoke not to be sniffed at and, over all, deserved the win.

Grant so much improved and I thought Molumby had a decent game too. Given the thinness of the squad I can see why Corberan subbed Fellows, Grant and Molumby -though would have been happier if we'd have had a 2 goal difference at the time rather than just the one! That said, I thought Dobbin, Frabotta and Diakite did ok when they came on though Wallace a bit quiet.

Diangana not earning his starting place yet but hope his injury is nothing too serious as we may need him this season.

7 points from our first 3 games is a very decent start and much better than I thought we would get back in July!

[baggieal]

Had a few shaky moments in the second half but a win away at Stoke not to be sniffed at and, over all, deserved the win.

Grant so much improved and I thought Molumby had a decent game too. Given the thinness of the squad I can see why Corberan subbed Fellows, Grant and Molumby -though would have been happier if we'd have had a 2 goal difference at the time rather than just the one! That said, I thought Dobbin, Frabotta and Diakite did ok when they came on though Wallace a bit quiet.

Diangana not earning his starting place yet but hope his injury is nothing too serious as we may need him this season.

7 points from our first 3 games is a very decent start and much better than I thought we would get back in July!

Agree with all that Omeg. Grant was excellent and Maja so much better than Asante. Dobbin showed some great touches too!

More than anything - like the football much better than last season!

[mickd1961]

All in a days work. 4th from top and it wouldn't surprise me if we stay in the play off places all season again. How does Carlos do it? 12 players gone out, lots of loan players and were playing better than last season already!

You have to take your hat off to Carlos.

To take 7 points from 3 matches, 2 away wins and 2 of the matches against notoriously difficult opponents in Leeds and Stoke having had his squad kicked in the nuts is a testament to the bloke.

When you look at our side and the bench today, we are not a bad squad at all really plus Racic and possibly Styles to add plus a hopefully fit Dike at some point.

I’m no longer worried about a relegation fight, we’ve already proved we are in the fight at the top end of the league.

Add another striker next week of the right type and we could be very dangerous.

I don’t know if many fans realise that Styles has played 23 matches for Hungary who are a very decent side nowadays, the lad is obviously no mug.

He was at the Euros with them and played in their win against Scotland so what’s the problem?

He’s supposed to be coming on a £5400 per week contract, that’s still peanuts for a Championship player.

[Omegstrat6]

Agree with all that Omeg. Grant was excellent and Maja so much better than Asante. Dobbin showed some great touches too!

More than anything - like the football much better than last season!

Totally agree with your last comment Al! A more attack minded and fluid style of play, that's certainly a pleasing improvement on last season.

Of course, we all know that it isn't always going to be like that but at least there isn't this constant tippy-tappy stuff and too much passing the ball backwards and sidewards when it should go forwards.

Seem to recall reading an interview with Carlos recently where he said that this was a deliberate change of tactics to both create more attacking opportunities and please the fans. He also re-iterated the need for all individuals to play and work as a team and to ensure that they were competitive throughout the match which meant high fitness levels and work rate. Despite his lack of goal scoring prowess, I always liked BTA particularly for his attitude on the latter but, hats off to him, Grant has obviously taken this to heart too and set out to prove himself this season. Let's hope it continues-he certainly seems to be redeeming himself so far.