Oxford v Rovers

[Ian]

Rovers travel to Oxfordshire on Saturday to face their next opponents Oxford Utd at the Kassam Stadium. Both teams are struggling with just five points from their first dozen games although Micky will be upbeat having seen Rovers come from two goals behind to earn a well deserved draw against Gillingham. Rovers are a few places ahead on GD having scored and conceded ten goals and although Oxford have scored the same amount as Rovers they have shipped fifteen goals already most notable conceding three against Bristol Rovers and Coventry and most recently four against Burton.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

It seems only yesterday that I saw Jason Koumas curl in the second equaliser in the cup at the Kassam in the season we went down. I'm upbeat about this one, but unfortunately I can't go as I'm away. Despite the loss of Nors, we are still scoring goals, but don't seem to have a settled defence. I hope we can shore up the defence and build on the spirited comeback last week.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Although Oxford have had poor results this season a lot of their performances have apparently been good, particularly against the bigger sides. They have got plenty of talent in their squad, with players like Matty Taylor, Ben Woodburn, James Henry and Jamie Mackie and I don't think this will be an easy game. A draw would probably be a good result.

In terms of our own selection, it will be interesting to see whether Micky reverts to the 352 formation that was successful at Rotherham or sticks with the 4312 from the second half last week. Either way, I am sure he will want to play a front two while still preserving a three-man midfield.

Individually, Hepburn-Murphy has impressed with a couple of good substitute appearances and is pushing for a start, but the front two of Mullin and Payne are forming a relationship and will surely be selected. CBT is available again after his suspension and players like Borthwick-Jackson and Maddox are yet to be used, but it would not surprise me if we fielded the team that finished the game last Saturday.

Prediction: we have already sold around 400 tickets, so I think 6-700 SWA will travel and see Rovers take something from the game.

 

[Mungy's Hairdresser]

Does CBT not have a 3 match suspension in which case one more game I think?

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Shame we lost the Bury EFL Trophy match as that would have been the third.

 

[ADD]

Does CBT not have a 3 match suspension in which case one more game I think?

Correct this is his last game of his ban according to the website.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Shame we lost the Bury EFL Trophy match as that would have been the third.

Yes, that was why I was getting confused. I was forgetting that game was never played !

 

[Boz]

It seemed like Oxford would be an outside bet for the play-offs, with some good recruitment, including the loan of Ben Woodburn from Red Scouse, but their start has been disappointing and just hoping it doesn't all click against Rovers.

Difficult decisions on team selection and tactics for Micky. I wasn't totally convinced by Woods, but he is a natural full-back, so if fit he starts. While I recognise Banks' role in our fight-back against Gillingham, my feeling is he's too much of a luxury and fails to contribute defensively in away games, so wouldn't start with him. Agree with 2 up front, probably in a 4312 formation.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Interesting comments from Mellon in his interview about Mullin, basically echoing what I said last week. The staff believe he has the natural attributes but were disappointed in the intensity and consistency in his game, which is now improving. They challenged him to get better (the competition from Payne, Ferrier and RHM will have helped in that regard) and he is now becoming an important player.

 

[Mungy's Hairdresser]

Good that our fan base has always recognised Mullin’s talent & commitment, thus remaining loyal to his cause. Proves the SWA maintain a knack to sniff out the wheat from the chaff.

 

[Ooh Johnny Johnny]

Interesting comments from Mellon in his interview about Mullin, basically echoing what I said last week. The staff believe he has the natural attributes but were disappointed in the intensity and consistency in his game, which is now improving. They challenged him to get better (the competition from Payne, Ferrier and RHM will have helped in that regard) and he is now becoming an important player.

Micky's only playing him now because his hand has been forced due to injuries.
In my opinion, Mullin had the same intensity and consistency to his game last season in his few cameo appearances, scoring a few crackers in the process.
And he was realistic enough to say in an interview towards the end of last season that he couldn't get into the side because Norwood was playing so well.
Don't get me wrong, I think Micky is a fabulous manager but his obduracy is his achilles heel.
But at least, as fans, we all finally agree that Mullin is potentially a very good player. And I'm sure that we also agree that he has to now deliver on the pitch week in week out.

 

[Ian]

If he plays like he did on Saturday he will have no problem getting into the side and scoring goals. I'm still not convinced he has the consistency though. I guess time will tell.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I still maintain that Mullin was average in the eight games he started last season, as opposed to his sub appearances, and they did not give Mellon sufficient basis to make him the automatic replacement for Norwood. That was what my argument was really about, rather than whether Mullin has any ability, which he does.

Mellon's alleged 'stubbornness' is the reason he is a successful manager, not an impediment. He demands high standards of the players who work under him, whether it is Andy Cook or Adam Dawson.

 

[ADD]

I still maintain that Mullin was average in the eight games he started last season, as opposed to his sub appearances, and they did not give Mellon sufficient basis to make him the automatic replacement for Norwood. That was what my argument was really about, rather than whether Mullin has any ability, which he does.

Mellon's alleged 'stubbornness' is the reason he is a successful manager, not an impediment. He demands high standards of the players who work under him, whether it is Andy Cook or Adam Dawson.

Agree with RLC. Mullin last season did well as a supersub but was poor on the few occasions he started. I still expect Payne and Ferrier to be first choice if all fit but if he can stay ahead of Payne in the pecking order when Ferrier returns from injury then fair play to him as if he does he will be playing consistently well.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

I forecast a win and a draw from today's and last week's games, so to stick by my prediction I must go for a win today. Let's say 2-0 or 2-1.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Interesting line up. Ray dropped to the bench and Woods and Hepburn Murphy start. Possibly 433 ?

 

[Boz]

I certainly wouldn't have predicted that line-up and it looks like a 433 as RLC suggests. Bit surprised Ray dropped at this point, but think the right decision not to start with Banks, who is too much of a luxury in away games.

 

[ADD]

I certainly wouldn't have predicted that line-up and it looks like a 433 as RLC suggests. Bit surprised Ray dropped at this point, but think the right decision not to start with Banks, who is too much of a luxury in away games.

Exactly as I had expected Boz
In all seriousness i think with our injuries and CBT suspension that is possibly our strongest starting eleven- not sure about Borthwick Jackson as not played yet. Ray has not been as solid as I expected he would be and Sid deserves a start in his correct position.
One question where the hell is Maddox - supposed to be a good player and should surely be fit by now - not even on the bench????

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

In fairness, it is quite a strong bench including Banks, Morris and Gilmour, so no guarantee Maddox would get on there.

 

[Ian]

Good changes. Ray looks shaky at the back. Woods looked good, bit of pace with hm. Come on whites!