Oxford vs Chesterfield..

[OneDecentLester]

That football season feeling is back, and I for one cannot wait for 3pm Saturday!

I'm not 100% sure on what to think about the first game down at Grenoble road, where we are bound to be met by a buoyant Oxford side and noisy expectant home support having just achieved promotion...

I'm gonna go with a 2-1 away win, goals coming from Jay O'shea and Ched Evans in a fantastic counter attacking performance in the first half from ourselves, giving us a 2-0 lead at the break, followed by an oxford onslaught second half, with Chris Maguire bagging the consolation goal around the 75th minute mark.

We've got a few players currently missing through suspension and Injury. Our player of the season Sam Hird being the player suspended so he most likely be replaced by Charlie Raglan at Centre back. Our injuries include Tommy Lee (Our number 1), Angel Martinez, Liam O'Neil and Jon Nolan, however the latter played 45 minutes on saturday against Buxton so may be in contention to start.

Think our team will look something like this depending on the formation we play..
4-2-3-1:

Fulton
Mcginn Evatt Raglan Jones
Liddle Dimaio
Ariyibi O'Shea Gardner
Evans

4-4-2:

Fulton
Mcginn Evatt Raglan Jones
O'Shea Liddle Dimaio Ariyibi
Evans Ebanks-Blake

#COYB

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I don't know too much about League One and I'm a bit worried as to how competitive we might be, but I have always rated Tommy Lee (and I've heard of Hird!) so it sounds like we might have more of a chance with them out.

I will start off optimistic and say that we'll get a 2-0 win, with you coming on here afterwards to comment on how quiet our fans are, and me accusing you of bitterness because we won all the points.

 

[CFC91]

2-1 Oxford. Looking forward to a few beers and a day out, not got much expectation about the footy. We are a shambles and most of our fans are jumping ship like it is the titanic.

Our pre season has been a shambles which finishes tonight playing Leicesters under 12's at home. We aren't prepared for season at all in my eyes..worrying!

 

[spireite]

I've not got much confidence if Raglan, Dimaio and Gardner get starts

 

[CFC91]

Hoping Nolan is fit + we play him O'Shea, Aryibi + Liddle in middle + 2 up top!

Raglan will have to do with Hird being out.

 

[IanPVFC]

I thought Raglan was highly rated not too long ago?

 

[spireite]

He's can head a ball. Not a great deal else

 

[4froale]

How did the lad who scored for Leicester play last night Chesterfield fans? Martis he's called.

We still have a contract on the table for him but will try and get him on loan when he signs for Leicester.

On to this game I reckon a 1-1 draw.

 

[oufc95]

2-0 Oxford. Hemmings and Thomas with the goals.

 

[Apollo]

I think this season is going to take a while to get going for us - I'm going 1-1 with Gobly Ariyibi to play a blinder in front of friends and family

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

Shame we'll be starting a season without Tommy in goal for the first time in years but the game I saw the new lad play in (against Derby) he looked very good.

As for tomorrow, who knows. It could go any of the three ways but I think Oxford are a little shorter than they should be with the bookies.

If we're to win it'll need the spine of the team to perform, Liddle particularly who needs to start influencing matches.

Evans to get abused and bag a goal I reckon.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Line up confirmed for us today:

4-2-3-1 formation:

Fulton
McGinn Evatt Raglan Donohue
Liddle Nolan
Ariyibi Oshea Gardner
Evans

COYB, bring those 3 points home!!!

 

[spireite]

Fuck me... When's Tommy back?

 

[spireite]

I'm quite annoyed as I had 2/1 Town with Evans to score any time at 33/1. Sounds like Ched should have had more than one!

I'll take the draw though, Nolan sounded positive.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I thought we competed well and probably had the better chances to score a second - Taylor with a bizarre attempt to chip your keeper, Thomas putting it wide and a great clearance by the Chesterfield defender. That said, a draw was absolutely a fair result.

Eastwood was much better than advertised in goal for us and would have been a deserving MOTM but Long was very solid defensively too.

My main concern is seeing that Chesterfield slated their midfield before the game, when they were able to run right through us, particularly late on. I hope this was just an effect of a sweltering day. Oh, and Dunkley being injured. You got a lot more chances after he went off.

Best player on the pitch was the Chesterfield right winger. Very impressive. Evans will score a lot if he gets match fit, clearly.

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

We'll be a much better side with Jones & Hird back in. After hoping to have seen the end of out of position midfielders at full-back we start the season in that same position.

Presumably you're referring to Gboly Ariyibi (an Oxford lad actually - though American born) as the 'best player on the pitch'. When he can put together a run of quality performances he'll have some serious bids coming in. We've allegedly told anyone interested so far it's £3m to start things off which is OTT at the moment.

 

[spireite]

We'll be a much better side with Jones & Hird back in. After hoping to have seen the end of out of position midfielders at full-back we start the season in that same position.

Presumably you're referring to Gboly Ariyibi (an Oxford lad actually - though American born) as the 'best player on the pitch'. When he can put together a run of quality performances he'll have some serious bids coming in. We've allegedly told anyone interested so far it's £3m to start things off which is OTT at the moment.

It's terrifying having to play Donohue. I don't know if he's just not ready or just not good enough. Probably both. At least Raglan didn't make that many mistakes by the sounds of it. I hope Mitchell gets a chance next game to displace Gardner

Anyone think that if Evans has 12-15 by Christmas, we'll be selling?

 

[SamScfc]

How did Jon Nolan do?

 

[spireite]

How did Jon Nolan do?

I didn't go, but the commentary team were gushing. Reckon he'll be a quality signing. Good too, as our midfield is wank!

 

[SamScfc]

I didn't go, but the commentary team were gushing. Reckon he'll be a quality signing. Good too, as our midfield is wank!

Not surprised, technically brilliant. He'll probably be better in 1 than Non League.

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

It's his chance. Nail it now and it's place for the season.

 

[OUFC Dan]

Thought we were pretty good and much the better side, Eastwood maybe should do better with the goal, and Thomas probably should have finished the game before then, still, we played most of the game with only one of our first choice defenders in the right position, Hemmings wasn't fit and generally just needing time to gel, happy enough with that start

 

[spireite]

Your keeper should have done better? Our loanee keeper just palmed the ball right into your strikers feet for an open net for your goal!

 

[nevermindtheboll_Ox]

Fair result.

Thomas and Taylor should have had us out of sight by the hour mark, then Evans should have had a hat-trick. He's obviously got too much quality for this league (although I found the adoration from the away fans pretty unpalatable).

Worried about losing Dunkley (hamstring) and Ribiero (broken ankle).

 

[oufc95]

Draw probably a fair result. Although we had chances to see the game off I thought the second half was very sloppy from Oxford giving the ball easily back instead of being calm in possession. This gave Chesterfield opportunities and they took it. We did look very low on the wings so I think a signing may still happen.

 

[SpireiteDan]

Thought we were pretty good and much the better side

Much the better side is stretching it a little, i'd say you weren't the better side at all. From where i was sat it was a very even game with a draw being a fair result.

We were in control up until about 5 mins, 10 mins before you scored when you then realised our left-side was a massive weakness and then started to exploit that. Our stand in left-back Donohue was terrible and he was getting no help from the useless as ever Gardner (don't pick him in the starting line-up again Danny.......please). You then finished the half on top. Within the first few minutes of the second half you had a big chance and should have made it 2-0 which would have put us to bed. From then on in we slowly got back on to the front foot and it was a deserved equaliser when it eventually came. You can tell our number nine is still a good player despite being a bit rusty but i can't enjoy his personal success, i wanted to celebrate my team scoring a goal but i just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I thought Nolan looked really good and McGinn put in a solid showing in terms of the newbies, though Fulton should have done a lot better with their goal. A mention to Gary Liddle too, he looked better yesterday, hopefully that isn't a one off.

 

[barryspang]

Thought the result was fair.

Enjoyed the game, thought it was played at a decent pace. Thought we looked relatively comfortable until Dunkley had to go off. Long did very well against Ariyibi, forcing him to switch wings. Would definitely like to see a defensive loanee come in though, as we are desperately short on players at the back now.

Thought Chesterfield were ok. Obviously Evans has quality. Thought Ariyibi was kept fairly quiet until we had to put Ruffels at left back. Nolan got through a hell of a lot of work in the middle and was impressive. O'Shea looked good in the 2nd half when he got a bit closer to Evans. The back line was a bit slow mind, just wish we had got Roberts on a bit earlier.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

How did Nelson do? Good to see he started.

My money is on him looking 'solid, reliable, athletic'.

 

[CFC91]

Agree with most on here. Fair result really. We weren't great but were better prepared than I thought which was pleasing. Good to see the fans fully behind the team and manager despite all the behind the scenes issues. Decent atmosphere especially 2nd half.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

How did Nelson do? Good to see he started.

My money is on him looking 'solid, reliable, athletic'.

I have to admit, the main thing I took from seeing him in preseason was that it looked like his first touch was a bit heavy. Nothing but positive things from the opener though. Very organised, clear leader. His athleticism won't stand out when he's next to the absolute unit that is Chey Dunkley but they could be a very solid partnership this year.