Match Day Thread Oxford United v Sunderland - Tuesday 29th October - KO 19:45

[SporkPie]

It was just another bog standard performance against a team at the same level as ourselves.

We really have assembled a poor squad.

 

[dred]

Been unlucky these last couple of games. Certainly creating more chances just not finishing them off.

 

[RedNWhite4Life]

At least this cup was a nice distraction from our shambolic league performance and now we ain't even got that. Should have won it in 90 mins but couldnt finish for ****. Probably should have had a pen but would have probably missed the **** anyway. The demise of Will Grigg sums up our club perfectly for the last 3 or 4 years sadly.

 

[Billy Batts]

Our midfield is a joke mind, our biggest problem overall imo. Slow, ponderous and weak as piss.

 

[RedNWhite4Life]

I don't think we'll ever see McLaughlin save a penalty. He is Pantilimon. Burge is Mannone.

He is the only sunderland goalkeeper to save a penalty at the stadium of light mate.

 

[sheepman]

One of my major worries is fitness, they don't look fit at all (mind in fairness we did finish the stronger). I agree though, we've got quite a one paced squad, and the talented players that we do have aren't exactly shining. I always think if you're going to win promotion you'll need to be stringing runs of about 8 wins in a row together, currently we don't look capable. Equally I think most promoted sides will have two or three players in the team of the season, I don't think we could make a case for any of ours even being in the discussion at this stage. A lot of improvement is needed, but I'm a lot more confident with Parkinson than I was with Ross, at least we're making chances now

We are. And players are getting forward and into the box but we are crying out for a spark someone like Maja who can get us goals from nowhere Anyway can't be too critical PP has only been here 2 weeks and he's done alright so hopefully he can hit on a winning formula

 

[Zak's Dad]

Penalties aside not really sure what to make of that performance.
We are better organised we press the ball a lot better and actually control the game for long spells
but we are really lacking quality, pace and cutting edge up front. Tempo is much better but just seems very predictable still
Think PP will have learned a lot again and I think you will see us tighten up at the back over the next few games
But he has a job on his hands up front. Where we get the creativity and cutting edge from with these players I don't know

He's made an impact by giving us a plan and upping the work rate, but the old issues still exist.
We concede too many chances at the back, are slow in central midfield and lack creativity up front.
If he can sort our defense out a bit, and we can start hitting the target we're still down on presence and mobility in centre mid and someone with a bit of composure to create chances.

 

[E.T. Fairfax]

Our midfield is a joke mind, our biggest problem overall imo. Slow, ponderous and weak as piss.

I've now read that our defence looks shaky, our attackers couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo, and now our midfield is a joke! We haven't got much going for us have we? Oh aye, our keepers now turned crap! Full house!

 

[RedNWhite4Life]

I've now read that our defence looks shaky, our attackers couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo, and now our midfield is a joke! We haven't got much going for us have we? Oh aye, our keepers now turned crap! Full house!

All those things are true though unfortunately.

 

[dred]

He is the only sunderland goalkeeper to save a penalty at the stadium of light mate.

I was trying to think who it was against.

 

[RedNWhite4Life]

Fleetwood. In 22 years at the SOL we've only managed to save a pen against a team playing in probably the 10th tier when the ground was opened.

 

[Bank of England 2]

Bring back Paolo

Too much ketchup eh?

 

[dred]

I've now read that our defence looks shaky, our attackers couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo, and now our midfield is a joke! We haven't got much going for us have we? Oh aye, our keepers now turned crap! Full house!

Is it the fans fault yet.

 

[marcusblackcat]

There’s a mitre football just landed in my back garden. Any idea where it came from?

 

[Bank of England 2]

Penalties aside not really sure what to make of that performance.
We are better organised we press the ball a lot better and actually control the game for long spells
but we are really lacking quality, pace and cutting edge up front. Tempo is much better but just seems very predictable still
Think PP will have learned a lot again and I think you will see us tighten up at the back over the next few games
But he has a job on his hands up front. Where we get the creativity and cutting edge from with these players I don't know

Maguire's our best bet for creativity, and we miss him. Dunc's pace was sorely missed tonight, but we can't overuse him just yet. Keep these two and McNulty fit, and we'll be fine.
We are carving out chances, which we weren't doing before PP came in. I feel that we look capable of scoring 2 or more goals a game, which with our defensive record, is usually needed for us to win matches.

 

[haslam]

It might be the furthest in the competition they've ever went.

It doesn't always have to be about us.

I was just thinking this. They're in the QF. That is pretty big in fairness.

 

[Makemstine Roger]

There’s a mitre football just landed in my back garden. Any idea where it came from?

will Griggs missed penalty has finally landed

 

[Nordic]

Griggs face and body language for that penner said it all about his form. Honking penalty.

As much as I've accepted **** standards of refereeing at this level, that was extraordinarily abysmal. Shame we're out of the cup to focus on getting out of this league.

 

[Sunderpitt]

Well one good win and 3 losses..

New manager bounce...more dead cat

What has Parky learnt? We have problems scoring (the answer is not Grigg), defence not too shabby, midfield a little turgid but not awful..

Not promotion material atm...needs a storming 2nd half of a season

 

[The Redbaron]

Well, I tuned into sky to watch the penalties. You could see when Grigg and McNulty were walking up to take their spot kicks,their individual body language suggested they were not confident and both were going to miss.. Despite the spot kicks the overall performance should have the alarm bells ringing with the club hierarchy. The Gamble for promotion at the first attempt last season failed and now it seems they have no plan "B" with a owner that he/they are skint despite constantly reminding us on having the biggest budget in the league...I've yet to see this lads.