https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/september/oxford-united/parkinson-reviews-oxford-win Lee Burge wansn't 'solid' like.
that would be my midfield/front 5, but with at least Diamond on the bench. I'm 50:50 on whether Maguire should start ahead of him, but he's running out of time to deserve that starting berth and strikes me as a more effective sub to see a game out than someone who will drive the game from the off - he just ain't quick enough.
We'd have took 4 from the first 2 but other way around I think. Good away victory but still plenty of work to do to be thinking about automatic promotion
Shout out to Hume who made the opportunity. Got some stick in the 1st half but deserves some credit for his contribution
Hume reacts... https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2020/september/oxford-united/hume-on-oxford-victory Some sort of gunshot on 23 seconds.
One thing about Hume, even when his confidence is knocked he keeps on plugging away and getting crosses in he can't be put off from it. He's a little bit frustrating because he's capable of deadly accuracy but is a bit too inconsistent with it. Still, he gets so many in that eventually he makes one or two count.
this is 'handball'...they hold the ball to throw it or pass it to a team mates hands or run while holding the ball with their hands...see? a massive use of hands. 'football' is the correct term for the game where we use feet to pass the ball to feet or sometimes head, we run with the ball at our feet...see? a massive use of feet.
well, lost my stream for best part of the match, the goal made the difference and despite the rather comical way it ended with 09, it went in the net and changed the game imho...from then on they seemed to drop heads and we started to play a little. leadbitter seems to have surprised a few, i did think he was going to be ok from his pre-season games, pleased for him in all honesty and good to know we can still rely on him...did gooch use his 'cameo' to make a few points to parky i wonder, obviously did his own chances no harm at all, the defenders let him run and he punished them (point #1: ball to feet) still a good goal as he had plenty to do...'let him run' (point #2 maybe?) run at them rather than pass side, back and hoof. hume, needs to put a few hours in on that final ball as his overall work rate and determination is class, mind, when a decent cross does go in where are our strikers?...every single decent striker/pundit will tell you that you keep making those runs just in case, ours seem to think it is hardly worth the effort...on the other hand, diamond puts some damn good balls in, with our strikers i would honestly have him starting (unless parky prefers the side, back and hoof approach). burgh could and really should have cost us again today, had oxford got their noses in front we may well have struggled to get one goal...opening day nerves is one thing...two games running is really not something a defence is wanting to see, as a unit, burgh needs to know he can trust his defenders and the defenders need to know the keeper is going to command his box...when that unit is not in sync is when problems arise. parky, not going to call him for not starting scowen after hearing why, he has gone on and on about the young lads, about how if mcgeady came back it is less chances for the lads...i really would like to see at least one on the bench each week and given a bit 20 minutes or so minimum of game time, let them 'grow' into the squad rather than suddenly having to hoy them in due to injuries/suspensions etc and them having to have too much responsibility on their shoulders, bed them in steady.
good summary samwise If Parky were to start like this, I'd be much happier we will start each game on the front foot. Burge is the only 'weakness' and needs to give his head a shake or he puts Matthews in. These players are capable of Championship footie, even though a few are unproven. Many of the subs will not succeed beyond league 1 Burge Willis Bailey Alfie Onions Grant Scowen Hume Diamond Graham Gooch Bench: Matthews, Flanagan, Power, Maguire, Obrien, Wyke, Grigg
Mate I’ve backed him until the last 2 league games. He had a lad who has been superb pre season. He was amazing in his one start this season and he was exactly what our midfield was missing and deserved a start. He ehen he first came on the scene he looked like he was going to go on to much better things than us. His delivery was 9/10 on the money. Not sure if it’s confidence that’s knocked it but hopefully he’ll keep working. I like him. Really do. One of my favourites from recent times
Only issue I have with that is Grant! I watched him last season and he looked nowhere near other than his dead balls most of the time. Struggled without time on the ball and he got none! Honestly would rather have Power in there. Even though I know he’s not as good a footballer, he’s far more mobile. Bit catch22 really. Scowen has to start! Not sure if he’s shagged Parkys daughter or something!!
I think he is a bit low on confidence for some reason, tends to snatch at things a bit and tries too hard at times. He's so willing though that even out of form he's still effective he must be a manager's dream. My gut feeling is that his confidence will naturally increase as he gets older and the effect that'll have on his game will make him a hell of a player.
I put Grant in as he looks like a new man and player pre-season, and again when he came on yesterday. I wouldn't have last seasons Grant-crab on the bench....
When I saw some of the snippets of preseason training I could see straight away he looked slimmer and fitter than before, then in the Villa game he and Scowen played excellent together but it was hard to judge due to the opposition. Yesterday 2nd half in particular, that was the best i've ever seen him play for us, he was outstanding, good pace to chase down players and break up their attacks and he controlled the middle of the pitch. I think due to Dobson's suspension and Power's hamstring it could be Grant and Scowen next week which will work really well. If we also start Gooch for O'Brien I will be very very happy. No slight on O'Brien as it's a long old season and he will contribute but I think a revitalised Leadbitter with Scowen, Maguire and Gooch is our strongest midfield/attack with Graham up top although I thought Wyke looked really good when he came on.
