Oxford 0 United 1 - report/ratings

[bakeblade]

It can be difficult to assess formations when they are fluent and when our shape change in and out of possession. Ogbene had to assess when the situation was right for him to push up, and obviously at times he needed some time to get back to wing back. I also spent some time figuring out how it was.

Here are a couple of freezes, both within the first minute of the game:

View attachment 222784
View attachment 222785

These show it was a back five and a three man midfield in front of them.

Moments later, as Cooper prepared a long kick you could see Ogbene taking up a position high up the pitch:

View attachment 222786
The last photo shouldn't be used to describe our formation though. It just shows Ogbene's role within it. For this game we wanted to play three centre backs, but we also wanted to use Ogbene's athleticism and pace for quick breaks and his winger qualities when we had more controlled possession in their half. As Ogbene set up our winner it is hard to argue against this plan.

Ogbene must have put in some running yesterday, it would be interesting to see the stats compared with the other players. Does anyone have these stats?
Seriki could also play this role, he has good pace, athleticism and stamina. It would make sense to use him as later game replacement and occasional starter.

 

[bakeblade]

It can be difficult to assess formations when they are fluent and when our shape change in and out of possession. Ogbene had to assess when the situation was right for him to push up, and obviously at times he needed some time to get back to wing back. I also spent some time figuring out how it was.

Here are a couple of freezes, both within the first minute of the game:

View attachment 222784
View attachment 222785

These show it was a back five and a three man midfield in front of them.

Moments later, as Cooper prepared a long kick you could see Ogbene taking up a position high up the pitch:

View attachment 222786
The last photo shouldn't be used to describe our formation though. It just shows Ogbene's role within it. For this game we wanted to play three centre backs, but we also wanted to use Ogbene's athleticism and pace for quick breaks and his winger qualities when we had more controlled possession in their half. As Ogbene set up our winner it is hard to argue against this plan.

Thanks for that, I was hoping you'd post something on the formation

 

[Wards]

Midfield is still of concern for me. Far too often there’s a gigantic gap in the middle of the pitch that exposes our defence and stifles our ability to get the ball out of defence - leaving us the only option to lump it up field or try a 30+ yard pass in behind a defender for Campbell to run onto. The biggest issue, IMO is Hamer. I don’t think he can be relied upon to control a midfield and there were several times yesterday where Oxford were running rings round us with nice, neat passing completely bypassing Hamer, Peck and Soumare.

Second half the defence played a notably higher line, which resulted in the midfield being compacted. Given we have midfielders who struggle to control the space but who are, by and large, good technically then this is something we should continue to do. The pace of Tanganga at the back should help but having Mee and McGuinness will be a concern as they aren't the quickest to play this way - though both read the game well enough to cope.

 

[Constantly Optimistic...]

Excellent and accurate write up, thanks.
I was there and wholeheartedly agree with most of the analysis. I think we were bullied a bit in the first half. Same as last year. They are generally big and strong and get in your face. Our miniature midfield always struggle with these sorts of teams. But I also think they gave a lot of energy up in 1st half and certainly didn't start the 2nd with the same tempo. Allowing us a bit more time to play it about. We took the advantage and deservedly took the lead. As usual we then decided to try and cling on in true Wilder style. It worked, but only just. The main criticism from me, which you highlighted, was why bring on wet lettuce Cannon? One needs the game time, he is much stronger and would have been more effective for defensive headers as well as rustling up a tiring Oxford defence. Give the lad a go. Campbell is off form. Cannon? I just can't see a single benefit to his game and against a very tall and strong defence he was lost.

 

[Dkc]

To make the play-offs now, we need to average almost two points per game which means winning two games out of three. Could be wrong but I don't think we have the squad to achieve that.

 

[The Fox]

Must admit I was busy yesterday,.
Didn't check the result until 5pm ...a WIN

Checked the stats , didn't look great but its a WIN

Read the various accounts of player performances , formations etc ..really dont care..it a WIN

Something to build on and winning games atm is all that matters. I'll take lacklustre performance on Tuesday if we WIN .

 

[Bladesince59]

Wouldn't be disappointed to never see Cannon or McCallum again.

 

[bladesince64]

I've been banging on about the fact that our midfield is so vulnerable to being overrun when we're out of possession.

We need two tough tackling ball winning players in there cos Peck cannot do it all on his own.

The dilemma is of course that reduces the attacking creativity and when Vini was here he could cover a lot of ground and would win possession back and he'd obviously hard to replicate.

I do think though that Blaster and Tom Davies (if they are fit) will be a better fit to be able to be both.

Hopefully Soumare (who I think could be decent if given a run of games) and Matos (ditto) can support these 2.

 

[FriethBlade]

I normally agree with a lot of what you
write deadbat but a couple of differences of opinion on this match. Although Mee did well for his first game I thought McGuiness was our man of the match. Id been a bit unsure about him initially but yesterday was his best game for us and he won absolutely everything in the air.

I thought Soumare was better than u give him credit for and he was definitely better than Ogbene who was terrible, he looks like hes won a prize to get a game on the day.

Agree re Campbell, not only is he overweight but he just cant run. He waddles around stiff legged except for the few times he chases a ball(slowly). He looks like a man who is terrified his violin string hamstrings r going to snap if he moves faster than walking pace. Also agree re Hamer who again didnt influence the game.

Im hoping that Wilder is busy identifying a big CF for the January window as we desperately need an outlet who can hold up a ball.

 

[Pintor75]

Campbell looks like he's uninterested most the time, One isn't a first team starter , Ings is injured? Makes the wasted £10m on TC look even more crazy

 

[Servigliano]

Any pro team can play whatever formations the manager dictates.
The trick though is playing the desired formation well enough to win games consistently.
That was the genius of Wilder in the third division. Initially good old 4-4-2 - and we were getting thumped. So, with Basham (Clough) he, if memory serves, soon bought O'Connell Egan and two superb wing backs.
Opposition daren't commit too many forward - they had to be wary of either LCB or RCB bombing upfield - with a midfielder eg Fleck filling in any gaps. In other words they were forced back and when they did attack they faced a well drilled back 3 or 5. We romped it.

Unfortunately we don't have the players to play 5-3-2 as before, good teams will attack more now simply because they know our L and R CB's are far better at defending than bombing forward, and add that right back is a problem still for us (sadly no Choudhury).
That said the fluid 5/3 at the back has to be the best option at the moment in view of the above and the fact that midfield lacks the likes of Arblaster and Davies which further encourages the opposition to attack.
I think we'll revert to an orthodox 4 - 4 -2 but only when/if Arblaster/Davies are match fit.
In other words we have limited options at the moment especially now that for some reason someone decided to sell our only big/good in the air CF without there being any adequate replacement. I reckon RB and CF will be top of the January shopping list.
I see that Campbell is rapidly going from hero to zero. He never was nor will ever best be a sole target man, he like Cannon needsto play off a big man and Campbell particularly gets a lot of unwarranted stick.
Wilder will make the most he can out of the squad but his options are limited. Roll on January - unless we can pick up an out of contract player or two. They're all doing their best but confidence is understandably shot, Oxford will have helped beyond more than the 3 points.