Match Thread Oxford United v The Mighty Blades

[Not_a_Cheat]

Another tough test faces us tonight as we make the trip to Oxford, giving us a chance to extend our lead at the top....

Oxford however are on a strange run of form, having lost their last 2 at home, but won their last 4 away games... Their home goals record kind of replicates that, making them one of the lowest scoring teams at home in League 1

And what does all this equate to? Probably nothing, as they'll be well organised and are still in with an excellent chance of making the play offs.

Anyway...

Any team news?

Is Chapman anywhere near making the bench?

Hanson has overcome his knock?

Keep it unchanged?

Or shuffle one or two in a bid to stay as fresh as possible?

As many of their own fans have suggested, they are capable of giving any one a good game, but seem to raise their efforts against the 'better' sides. Well whatever the truth is, they lost at home on Saturday to Bristol Rovers who are 8th, so surely they (Rovers) are one the 'better' sides? Anyway really hope we can get the 3 points tonight in a 3-1 Blades win.

Safe journey all.

UTB

 

[FriethBlade]

They have a decent first 11 but little strength in depth. They've made the final of the checkatrade and got to the latter stages of the FA Cup and all the matches have taken their toll. They've got a number of their best players injured including their top scorer. If we can keep McAleny quiet I'm fully confident of a victory. 0-1 or 0-2 to us as the promotion bandwagon rolls on .

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Ebanks in for Duffy (Bash > midfield, no doubt)
McNulty on bench

 

[Leonardo Green]

If only we had other good midfielders waiting to come in! Ffs thought we were done with basham in midfield

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Bashenbauer in the hole

 

[Lawrence]

Ebanks in for Duffy (Bash > midfield, no doubt)
McNulty on bench

Don't like bash in midfield, Let's see - hope I'm wrong?

 

[Snowman]

Don't like the idea of the bad penny being anywhere near the team.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Boxer Blade]

Disappointed to see basham in midfield, strong attacking bench though

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Seriously, who's playing the attacking mid role?

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Seriously, who's playing the attacking mid role?

Basham probably - pressing high up when they've got the ball, & free to make bursts forward from midfield when we've got possession. IMO anyway.

 

[BigBed]

Height in the team, here comes the hoof!!

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

Basham probably - pressing high up when they've got the ball, & free to make bursts forward from midfield when we've got possession. IMO anyway.

 

[Lard_Lad]

Basham played really well on Saturday even when he pushed into the midfield, from what I've heard from Oxford fans (know a couple) they struggle more against physical sides

 

[Captain]

Poor decision, hope I'm proved wrong, with Carruthers and O'Shea on bench this sends out a negative message,
Looks like going for point.Bad feeling!

 

[Blade for Sale]

Disappointed to see basham in midfield, strong attacking bench though

Bash created Billy's goal with some great play on Sat, fingers crossed for some more creativity from him. He's more skillful than people give him credit for IMO.

 

[Dronfield_Blade]

Poor choice to put Basham in midfield just hope Wilder is right on this i would have brought Lavery in for Duffy

 

[Stretch]

Seriously, who's playing the attacking mid role?

The million dollar question I suspect.

Bash, Coutts and Fleck will be a very solid midfield and strangely each one is capable of attacking but none are natural attackers.That being said, Bash on his day can make some great forays forward.

I suspect we will see a change of tactics if anything. Less trickery around the 18 yard line and more early crosses from the WBs into Hanson, maybe...?

 

[Blade58]

Poor decision, hope I'm proved wrong, with Carruthers and O'Shea on bench this sends out a negative message,
Looks like going for point.Bad feeling!

I agree. Slightly disappointing but let's hope both CW and Bash prove us wrong and it turns out to be a master stroke

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

The million dollar question I suspect.

Bash, Coutts and Fleck will be a very solid midfield and strangely each one is capable of attacking but none are natural attackers.That being said, Bash on his day can make some great forays forward.

I suspect we will see a change of tactics if anything. Less trickery around the 18 yard line and more early crosses from the WBs into Hanson, maybe...?

Seems like it's a similar pitch to Saturday, so maybe Wilders gone for the more direct option

 

[Hodgyman]

I hope that if we get a penalty, and we are comfortably in the lead, they let Jake Wright break his professional goal duck against the team that didn't want him.

 

[Booker4]

Height in the team, here comes the hoof!!

Up to recently its worked for Bolton! Basham is almost undroppable after recent performances. He's even taking people on and skinning players!

 

[Irelands number one]

Anybody know if one of our hardcore are doing a live feed on youtube?

 

[zablade]

Night for a Warnock style back to the walls fighting performance tonight, substance more important than style.

 

[Booker4]

I see all of the Oxford players who were rated at 50/0 for playing have recovered in time! Hopefully playing not 100%!

 

[wholelottarosie]

the bash will frighten em to death with his crunching tackles, will predict m.o.m for him come on blades.

 

[Mendi]

Oxford are 1 nil up oh dear.

 

[derfblade.3]

Wright off injured Carruthers on.

 

[WestwoodBlade]

Never confident in our defence without Wright, players need to dig in and fight now

 

[shrubbery]

Doesn't sound like we are at the races tonight.