Decent Performance BUT It's A Narrow Defeat for

[@OUFCFanView]

I thought Oxford played quite well last night. Watford were good in the 2nd half, and on the balance of things deserved the win, but Oxford game it a good go and came close to getting a draw. We just don't seem clinical enough. If we can play with that same effort and tenacity then I am sure our away form will improve once our players come back. #OUFC and #WATFORD fans let me know your thoughts. 🐂

[@PaulScowen]

It’s funny how we all see football differently as I thought the first half especially was a really entertaining watch. Despite the stats we were far from backs to the wall and created some good chances. With the players that we have out the 1st half was just about as good as we could’ve dared to hope for, barr a goal. Ultimately a draw was only a bit of luck or quality with the finishing away. Vaulks is looking much more comfortable as part of a double pivot although this formation does leave bigger pockets of space for an oppositions ball player to operate in, as it did last night. If only Kioso could’ve crossed with his right foot then Scarlett may have been able to slide it in but for once Buckingham got out-thought in the 2nd half and it felt they’d have got what they needed sooner or later. Without wanting to labour a point we are a much bigger goal threat when Leigh is playing. It’s going to be really interesting if he drops back to the bench once we have fit wingers again or if we utilise wing backs away from home. Terr Avest also looks like he can contribute with goals and assists. Our back line is immense and is consistently keeping us in games. I hadn’t realised that we haven’t conceded from a set piece yet this season until I saw the stat on Sky last night. If we can keep our defensive line over the summer it gives us a really solid base to build on next season….assuming we stay up 😅 With the break upon us now the Hull win is looking massive.

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Paul, I thought we were decent in the first half. The energy was good from the players. I felt there would be a period in the game where Watford would dominate and that happened in the 2nd half. Still thought we battled and fought well and certainly created the chances to nick a draw. We have to accept that there will always be periods in games where we have to absorb pressure and will be on the back foot. We are still relatively early in the season, and I still am optimistic that we can say up. Hopefully the attacking players will give us some more punch and help us get up the pitch, but the wing backs system might be the way to go for the next couple of games, and Leigh does deserve to keep his place in the side. Wins are going to be precious, but if we can stay competitive in games then hopefully our luck will turn a bit.

[@desendean6488]

Fair play Oxford. Watford Fan

[@OUFCFanView]

Thanks for the comment and sorry for taking such a long time to reply. Fair play to Watford too, you turned on the style in that 2nd half. Good luck for the season.

[@ucebr924]

Hi Ian totally agree mate thought we played well I thought a couple of the chances fell to the wrong players. Avests effort think would have been scored with tyler or harris for example. Overall better performance than some away games. Let's have this break get some of our players back. Least we know if we have to we can shake formations up a bit. I think we. Will soon start climbing up the table next few games. In some ways with the players coming back it's like having new signings so let's enjoy the break come back and see where the season takes us coyys

[@OUFCFanView]

Thanks for the comment, and hope you are well. Yes it will feel like having new players and should give the squad a big shot in the arm and confidence boost. We just need to keep picking up the odd win here and there and we will be fine. We have been competitive in virtually every game this season, and at some point I am sure we will get some narrow wins away from home rather than falling to narrow defeats.

[@andyh444]

Great video as ever. Thank you.

[@OUFCFanView]

Thanks Andy , appreciate it.

[@robertmills8401]

Alright Ian. Considering we have our top players out, We played better in this than our last 3 home games i feel. it’s just that final finish as we get in the positions and opportunities. Yeah Harris does need to get his head in in the game, I hope Goodwin can add something new for us now he’s back 1.plus is we haven’t done bad with players out and Dec time is always hard & we’ll have them back.

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Robert. Watford played more direct than Hull & Swansea and that helped us get into the game more. I was pleased with the performance. Hopefully those returning players will give us a bit more bite. As for Goodwin, he is not really getting much of a look in and when he does come on, we are not exactly bombarding balls into the box for him to attack. Plus he is a young striker who has never played at this level before. I think we can cut him a bit of slack. I hope Harris gets a goal for Wales and that might get his confidence back.

[@robertmills8401]

@@OUFCFanView @ oh god sorry I meant back not bad 😂😂😂 About Goodwin. I felt when he comes on he occupies the defence more and we could definitely do with that hight up top.

[@michaelsneade31]

Thought we were unlucky, small margins. We will improve with players coming back.

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Michael. I was optimistic after this one. If we consistently play to that level I feel we will continue to pick up points.

[@ianfaulkner3844]

I was at that “wrong kit” game. Frustrating again last night. Watford were the better side, but it was another match in which United could’ve got something with a little more luck and better finishing.

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Ian, I remember going to Barnet in the season where we got relegated in 2005/2006. We did the same there and ended up playing in Barnet's 3rd kit. Kassam era was surely something wasn't it. We certainly could have got a draw in the Watford game though. I am confident our luck will turn in front of goal too.

[@tedeames5868]

Yep, some positives to be taken from that performance. We matched Watford pretty well apart from the first 15 minutes of the second half. Watford looked good going forward but weren't great defensively and the chances squandered by Harris and ter Avest could easily have seen us snatch a point.

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Ted, I agree with that. I was very impressed with the energy of the players in the first half, but Watford were always going to have a spell of pressure. It was a tight game and we are also not getting a lot of luck in front of goal. Would be nice to get a penalty at some point.

[@davecommon3077]

Sitll top sunderland

[@tedeames5868]

A question, Ian: what do you think the deal is with Marselino Ferdinan? When he signed there was a fever of messages from Indonesia on the OUFC media, all very excited at the impact that this guy was going to make on English football. The club regularly use him on merch ads, and I guess that there have been lots of shirt sales to Indonesia. Yet, despite our injury situation among wide players, the lad doesn't even get a place on the bench?! He plays regularly for the Indonesian national team (who are close to World Cup 2026 qualification and who have qualified for the 2027 Asia Cup). Is he just a lightweight who we have in the squad for cynical marketing purposes? Hmmmmmm...

[@LarryKippings]

Good question Ted, I’m pretty sure nobody will know the answer to your questions until we actually get to see him play…. If that does actually ever happen 😅

[@annysqu]

He was on the bench I think. He is a young development player who obvs grabs the attention of his compatriots regardless of whether he is up to the level yet but with that following on socials why not use it

[@tedeames5868]

@@annysqu I get that, but he's pretty much the same age as Tyler G and he's played 30 times for his country. At some point he has to kick a ball in earnest or his wages will be much greater than the income from his merch sales!

[@OUFCFanView]

I think that is a fair point Ted and a great question. My guess is as good as yours. He has been on the bench for the last couple of games, but I don't see him getting much game time anytime soon. I can only make speculations using tired cliche's such as "new to the country" or "never played at this level" but with the injuries recently he would have been worth a shot. Max Waltman is another one who is supposed to be really talented. Same age as Goodrham, but you never hear much about him.

[@petecroxford3277]

Totally agree with you I think we could’ve had a couple of penalties. I wish the referee and the officials can sort out the amount of shirt, pulling hanging onto arms I wouldn’t be surprised the OXFORD team got replaced her shirt. They nearly had them ripped off their backs look over the game and you will see Watford players Verti tearing the shirts of the OXFORD team. This is not rugby. It’s a game of football, the linesman and the referee should be stepping down on this yes Elliott Moore was pulling at the shirt on the Watford player because he was getting ripped off so he retaliated what’s he supposed to do in my mind? That is a penalty? What the player started it impede in him getting to the ball penalty all day long well done that I think you’ve done very well 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Peter, they never seem brave enough to give penalties for the fouling that goes on during set pieces. They would probably say both sides are guilty of it. Maybe against Middlesborough we will get a bit of luck and get a pen and a big dirty deflected goal.

[@rogershirley2857]

Whose great idea was a 2 day turn round? And Im speaking for both clubs I like your optimism Ian but when sides change gear we are all over the.place And what is Goodwin offering?

[@OUFCFanView]

Cheers Roger. I think that is just going to be the way it is this season. We are going to struggle against most sides and have periods where we need to ride our luck. Our attacking outlets (when fit) should give us a chance on the counter attack. As for Goodwin, he is not really getting much of a look in and when he does come on, we are not exactly bombarding balls into the box for him to attack. Plus he is a young striker who has never played at this level before. I think we can cut him a bit of slack.

[@davecommon3077]

Sunderland drew 2 2

[@OUFCFanView]

I know Dave. How did you blow a 2 goal lead.😱🫨🤯