Match Day Thread Oxford United FC v Sunderland AFC – Saturday 26th April 2025 - KO 15:00

Absolute Bullshit mate.
I’ve simply said the atmosphere at Oxford today was noisier than the SOL has been for years. That noise was created by a few thousand fans in a 3 sided ground.
I’ve not slagged any fan off, simply saying how it is.

Bart

 

Result as expected, I always thought Oxford would be more up for it, hence my 2-0 prediction

Having said that, I was expecting a far better performance from the lads

Generally speaking, irrespective of team selections, the last 5 or so games/ performances have been poor

Especially in front of goal

 

On HP?

 

A few of the lads made it 23 out of 23 away games for the league season today

Tremendous support. A lot of time, effort and money.

 

No it wasn't, not at all.
Eubank in the 3rd tonight

 

Our home support is crap. Thousands sit on their hands and just waiting to be entertained like the customers they've become.

They boo when things are going against us, and then pat themselves on the back when it's going great.

 

You aren’t wrong, unfortunately

One of the worst atmospheres in the country

 

In better news I've just had the best Chinese in Oxford. Well their equivalent of a ****e Chinese in Sunderland.

 

I go to the match with a few. It's incredible that people expect a good atmosphere without getting involved themselves.

People turning up late, going down to the stands on 35mins more interested in getting a pint, and that's without taking into account the thousands who leave early.

We are now back to where it's becoming difficult to play in front of the inpatient fans. One bad pass and people are on their backs.

I'm kinda glad Tommy Watson is leaving as the fans have treat him like ****. I hope he goes to Brighton and smashes it.

 

Don’t agree with half of that, especially about Watson but have no problems with your opinion mate. Something needs to definitely change in terms of the atmosphere, though

 

Of course, he’s a centre midfielder it’s his job to win the ball back. But his levels compared to the start of the season have really fell off a cliff, I’d be surprised if anyone can pull out a game where he’s played well in 2025 without trawling back through our fixture list and even then you’d be scraping the barrel for one. Comparing him to another player who’s been below average all season isn’t really proving he’s effective though. He’s the weak link in our midfield unfortunately and when we have a £20m player who plays the same position we shouldn’t be shoehorning him out wide to accomodate Rigg. It’s like Man City playing De Bruyne on the left to fit James McAtee in as the 10, it’s ridiculous imo. Play your best player in his best position then work around that.

I like Rigg and he’s more than likely going to go and have an incredible career but right now I don’t think he’s the man for that role in the next few games for us which are basically cup finals. Probably harsh on the lad but the club has to come first

 

Do you not feel these days it's more about going out on the drink than supporting the team?

 

Not particularly. I do believe our style of play doesn’t help with the general atmosphere. It’s boring

 

That style has us 4th rather than bottom half like last year.

Youngest squad in the league about to go into the play offs with people booing and getting on their backs. What a way to support the lads going into the playoffs.

 

It does feel like that at times but that’s all awaydays are.. apart from most of us are pissed so there’s a better atmosphere because 90% of the stand is singing all game. On the odd occasion I drive to the match I normally get there just in time for kick off and I’m walking in with thousands of people coming in the north side from Wessy Way. I think football has became a bit of a family day out for a lot of fans and they aren’t going to sing much. If I take my daughters and sit up in the concourse I never sing but in my season ticket seat in the Roker end it’s normally lively. I don’t think we can’t change that to be honest it’s not just Sunderland it’s happening all over the country, we just happen to have a lot of empty seats and an away end up in the gods which make it worse.

 

Fans’ fault?

We’re quiet at home but it’s not that bad

 

the atmosphere seemed poor under Mowbray with Amad as well though.

 

Not entirely the fans fault, however they don't help themselves or the team with their constant moaning.

Let's hope we see the best of the home support on Tuesday 13th.

 

I go with my two kids and still get behind the lads at 42.

I left the back of the south stand 7 years ago due to all the Muppets at the back. You had to fight with people to get to your seat.

My match day experience is all geared to the match. Anything beyond that is just an extra.

 

Can’t argue with that it has more than its fair share of wallies… but the Roker End in the only stand that really ever sings. When you sit elsewhere in the ground you notice it big style and it’s why opposing fans always say they never hear a peep out of us.

I don’t know what the answer is though unless we give out vuvuzellas I don’t know where the atmosphere is magically going to appear from without filling the ground. Maybe free alcohol?