How did we get a point out of that?! We were woeful today. It had shades of last season about it as Oxford sliced through us like a knife through butter. At half time it could have been 5-0 as the ball flashed across the goalmouth again and again.
Notable moments in that first half battering were the world class save from Ross at point blank range and the open goal that they missed - the ball hitting the post when it looked easier to score.
But it could have been so different in the first minute. Jimmy had a run on goal from deep inside their half. I can honestly say that I would have wanted that chance to fall to anyone on the pitch but Jimmy. He should have scored.
How we got in at 1-0 I will never know. But, to be fair, we were better in the second half - though we could not have been any worse. It was soon 2-0 though - Oxford walking the ball in to the net again.
Then the linesman gave us a penalty that the referee did not see and it was soon 2-2 with a goal that I didn't see clearly. Looked like a few ricochets in the penalty area. Oxford had a lot of half chances between then and the end and that was it. Constable, who was awful all afternoon, missed a sitter with a free header six yards out.
So, we got a point that we did not deserve but I am disappointed because we were so woeful. Maybe I should just be pleased that we got a point on an off day.
I hope that I am not going to get boring in my criticism of the bloke but Jimmy is so obviously not up to it right now. I lost count of the misplaced passes, the poor crosses and the number of times he was dispossessed. What was also blatantly obvious was that Oxford were exploiting us on the right flank in the first half. Everything went down that side. The reason? We were so weak there because Jimmy was not doubling up, was not reading the game and was effectively ball watching 20 yards away. It needed Blanchett on that side to tighten it up there.
Daylight Robbery
posted on 11/9/11
Like Emnez, I find it difficult to get to away games but it was apparent from Charles Collins' commentary on Radio Derby that we had got out of jail.
Before we beat ourselves up too much though, it has to be good that we stuck to it and hauled ourselves back into it? Big difference to last year when we fell apart and ended up with nine men.
And some measure of compensation for the points that have got away already this season when we have dominated games only to toss the win away in the last ten minutes.
Agree that we need more depth at centre back, though maybe a short term loan if Stanno is going to back in 6 weeks.
I think we already have an excellent midfielder in Jack Dyer - just need to find a way of getting him some pitch time to add experience to his talent and enthusiasm.
And we need to shore up the left flank. Sheffield United and Plymouth were both on to it and if Oxford had twigged it as well you can be sure that Dario Gradi will have had his reports ahead of Tuesday and will be loading his right flank. Remember how he talked up Adam Legzdins susceptibility to ground shots before the game at Gresty Road last season and then peppered his goal with 'grub-hunters' to good effect (i.e.a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes!)
I would give Blanchett a run against his old mates on Tuesday, maybe push Aaron forward, but much as I accept the views of those of you who saw Jimmy yesterday, I though he was excellent against Plymouth and may just need a bit more of a run to get him flying.
Bit of context? Lot in the news about ten years since 9/11. Lots of talk of where were you on the day.
Well 1,172 were at Eton Park watching Albion beat Vauxhall Motors 2-1 in the Northern Premier League.
On a night when we could barely think that the world would have a normal future, I think we might have looked forward to taking a point from Oxford away quite happily!!
posted on 11/9/11
That's a difficult one Emnez, and I guess everyone will have differing opinions on where and how the team could be improved. Anyway here's my thoughts:
Goal - Sign up Atkins!! And then sign up a new keeper for cover. Poole is older than me (just) and won't go on forever.
Defence - First of all I think we need two full backs as Corbett is extremely limited and Webster's fitness seems to have abandoned him. We've got Blanchett, who I think should be in place at left back, plus Boertien should be back in the next month. As for right back, Corbett is a good defender but the problems arise when he actually wins possession of the ball, with him hitting blind balls down the line 90% of the time. In fact yesterday the Oxford left side realised this early on and both their left back and left midfielder got close to the line when Corbett had the ball. Consequently there was little retained possession from his passing. Then there was the delay for a cross with Zola, Richards and Bolder unmarked in and around the area. He allowed himself to get crowded out and Oxford broke forward and created an opportunity.
As for central defence, I don't think there's a lot wrong with the two who played yesterday, they just need to be coached to work together as at times they were miles apart, allowing the Oxford players to wander through at will. Their command of the area is good and they played intelligent balls out of danger, but they don't communicate too well. A loanee central defender to add depth would be good, otherwise I am happy that it just takes a little coaching to make them more effective.
Midfield - Why oh why is Macca captain and a regular starter in the side? He plays very few decent passes, insists on hoofing the ball recklessly and does not lead the team at all. It hurts me to say this as he is so committed and is always the one to bring the players over at the end of a game. I just think that a more defensive player in there would allow Bolder to play the ball around (is there a better passer in this division?) and create openings for our forwards and wide midfielders. Pesch should ditch Phillips at the next window and bring in a decent left-sided player. Cleveland and Maghoma have the right side between themselves and Palmer and a new player could stitch up the left side. Centrally we've also got Dyer when fit, so again there's not a lot to do other than to have them working as a cohesive four-man unit - look at the lesson Plymouth gave us there last week on how effective that can be even with poor players in there.
Attack - Not a lot needs doing there really, does it? The front two are picking themselves at present and in time Kee and Adi will get the opportunity to press for a place, which really sees Greg and Ellison as surplus to requirements. Greg is there for the inevitable injury cover, but Ellison was a cheap gamble that never really paid off.
All in all there isn't loads that needs to be done and, from my view at least, it seems to be more down to coaching than bringing in stacks of new players. I have to ask why the coaching staff still amounts to Pesch, Rowett and Poole? How can two people effectively coach 25 or so players (I assume Poole is more dedicated to working with the keepers)? This is the area reinforcements are needed and Moore may be helping out but where is the midfield coach?
So there's my view and I stand back now to be blasted for getting it so wrong....
posted on 11/9/11
I Have not had the chance to see the brewers last two away games as all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.We must give ourselfs more credit because if we where 2-0 up at home and the other team come back and snatched a point we would have to give them credit and blame ourselfs.We need Cleveland taylor back ASAP he is key in feeding the strickers who are doing a great job up front.I do think we will get more goals with better service to the strickers.If we play like we where at the start of the season we will be fine. I`am looking forward to the next two home games.
"COME ON YOU BREWERS"
posted on 11/9/11
'All in all there isn't loads that needs to be done'
Spot on Wednesbury. I have been dwelling on what is required for most of today. I reached a conclusion which might sound bizarre.
I simply think that we weren't as sharp, alert or as focused as we should have been. There was too much ball watching, dwelling on the ball, absence of tackles, slow or non-existent tracking back and a general lack of movement. They simply weren't fired up enough.
posted on 11/9/11
Incidentally, to those who were not there, Cleveland sat with the away fans yesterday.
posted on 11/9/11
Swindon fan here, Otep your headline caught my eye because that's exactly what we said against Oxford. This isn't sour grapes due to our derby game with Oxford but we battered them for 90 mins and was undone by the 2 chances they had. I'm really looking
forward to coming up to your place next weekend as
I've heard you have a nice ground with nice sensible
fans. You have been getting compliments on the
Swindon forums, we love your song from yesterday: " bus stop in Swindon, your just a bus stop in Swindon" hope we all get to see an entertaining game next week, and hope you enjoy your visit to the County Ground later in the Season.
posted on 12/9/11
Looking forward to the Swindon game this Saturday, especially as I found out today that I'm going to miss Crewe tomorrow because of work.
My memories of Swindon go back many years, in fact to the days of Jimmy Allan and Ian Miller, when Swindon used to get drawn against Portsmouth in every cup competition (or so it seemed) and they invariably beat Pompey, usually in a replay up at the County Ground.
Got a lot of good memories and Swindon were very good to Pompey in that they gave the club Steve Aizlewood and John McLaughlin and got Lee Barnard and Paul Gilchrist in return. A fair swap I'd say.
It'll be good to see Matt Ritchie play at the weekend, and with no disrespect to Swindon, he should be playing for Pompey still. There again, Pompey's loss is most certainly Swindon's gain.
This is going to be as big a test as Oxford was on Saturday and I just hope we get a similar amount of luck again! Swindon are on a bit of a roll now so it will be interesting to see how this one pans out.
Looking forward to it.
posted on 12/9/11
W. Brewer, glad you mentioned that era as its still my favourite time with the best memories. Watching miller on the wing was always special.prefer those days to anything since. Your right about Ritchie being able to play at a higher level. A lot of Swindon fans were suprised when he stayed with us for this season, he is one of only a few that remain from lasts seasons disaster. He has been consistently good for us again this season and links up really well with the other two remaining players, Caddis at right back and Ferry in midfield. Think Ritchie enjoyed playing against the Saints in the cup a couple of weeks ago and hearing our fans singing "play up Pompey" probably amused him ! We have found some form going forward but still look shakey at the back with set pieces and corners. I've got a lot of family up in Nottingham so I'm looking forward to the game and the shorter drive after the game to spend the weekend there.
posted on 12/9/11
I was hoping that Swindon would spring a surprise against the other team from the Solent, so it was a shame the match was overshadowed by the PDC V Leon Clarke middleweight bout at the end.
Unfortunately for me the Pompey I always followed began a slow death after Alan Ball was sacked in 1989, which became terminal when Redknapp took over and they were promoted to the Premier in 2003. The old days saw Pompey players out for a beer in the week alongside supporters, whereas the Premier League version ignored fans and kids were told "Mr Muntari doesn't do autographs" by bouncers when they waited outside Fratton Park after matches.
When every match report became focused more on how much promotion would mean to Pompey rather than how the match went, and the media-whoring manager insisted on getting his face in front of the camera at every given opportunity, then I realised it was no longer the club I had supported since the early 70's. That's why I cling to the memory of the frequent Swindon games and like you recall Ian Miller and his wing play. He was one player we always wanted to see in a Pompey shirt but, alas, he chose Blackburn over Pompey when he moved on.
Without wanting to patronise Burton, they were the perfect antidote for me and it helped that my first match attended back in 2003 happened to be the 7-4 home defeat to Telford. I was hooked after that and since that day have seen in excess of 200 Burton matches, whereas in the same period I saw possibly 10 Pompey games including, funnily enough, the 7-4 win against Reading! For me Burton is a throwback to the 70's/80's era and I wouldn't want it to change off the pitch. There are already worrying signs however, such as newer players hardly acknowledging the supporters after a game, but I enjoy the atmosphere as it is and the friendliness of the matchday staff, the visiting supporters (Grimsby, Port Vale and Oxford being exceptions to this) and the Brewers faithful.
Sorry for blathering on here but the money has ruined the game for me and has made me reconsider what is important. Swindon are a club I consider too big for L2, but what I would say is enjoy the reality check down there before you begin your inevitable climb back up the league tables. You'll look back on these days fondly as well!
posted on 12/9/11
Been supporting the Town since mid 70's after spending my early years watching both Forest and County with my Dad and uncles. Having moved to Wiltshire in the early 70's Swindon became the team I got hooked on. Fulham at home with the likes of George Best and Rodney Marsh was all it took, something like a 5-1 victory did help though ! Rightly or wrongly I admire the lower league or local supporter so much more than the west country Man.U ( fan ) who is more than happy to watch their team on Sky every week or on Match of the day. You have had some really good results this season only losing once in the league? The headline would suggest you felt lucky to get a point Saturday but as you know football more often than not evens itself out over the season so Burton like Swindon will have a few occasions to put a similar heading along the lines of
" WE were robbed " I'll enjoy my weekend whatever the result ( a bit more if we win ) as im looking forward to The match and visiting family up the road from you.