I wasn’t there, Jerome.

[Radley Rambler]

Yes I did think it was a bit odd that of the two coaches we had, we allowed the one with international experiance, played at the highest level and was a defender, which our manager never was. Instead we kept Lewis, who although I liked as a player, was always limited technically and as Appleton was a midfielder so not sure how much more input he can add.

I also wonder why Appleton has such a good reputation. He was limited as a player, playing largely in the 3rd or 2nd tier. As a manager he was assistant to Hodgson for about 9 months (with a lot of that close season), then joined Pompy in November, and they got relegated after entering administration.

He was then in charge of Blackpool for 65 days with mixed results. He then joined Blackburn where he was so poor that they sacked him after 67 days after only winning 4 of his 15 games in charge. At least Waddock had a couple of promotions on his CV.

With a record like that he is lucky to get the job and does not have anything to fall back on. He has also been able to bring in some pretty high profile players, mainly from higher divisions. It takes time to turn around a team in freefall but it seems to me we're getting worse not better.

Let's hope he repeats that here - winning 2 of the next 3 games would be very useful.

[Snake]

Where are OxVox? This is precisely the time OxVox should be highly vocal. And there is plenty to be highly vocal about, but we've heard nothing. Its easy trying to take plaudits for irrelevancies, but this is where the hard work really needs to be put in.

Surely you're not implying that OxVox should attempt to interfere in on-field tactics, player recruitment policy or managerial decision-making? That's not my understanding of what supporters trusts exist for!

It would be helpful if OxVox stopped dicking around trying to curry favour with NewCo and tell Us what they are being told, and what they have asked for and not been told.

And if NewCo don’t like then tough luck, as I don't see what can be lost.

[Ancient Colin]

To get back to the game, briefly, well I was there (at least I didn't have far to travel and it's good to be able to cycle to a match) and had colleagues and others I know in the home end so know I was in for some flak today. Interestingly, I had a couple of texts from them just before the equaliser, saying they thought we were playing well, so some perspective is needed. I guess my problem with much of what's written here is that I really want this to work. I'm one of those who mainly saw Wilder teams at home and it's mainly that experience, allied to the soullessness of the stadium and the roughly five hour there and back journey that means I no longer have a season ticket. I want us to try to play passing football, and I don't buy the idea that you can't get out of this division by playing passing football.

But, but, but ... I have this image in my head of the old PG Tips Chimps tea parties - the early ones. You can dress the chimps in suits and dresses, you can put fine bone china on the table, but they are still chimps and it's going to be a mess. In our case, a slow motion mess and that for me is the issue - pass and move (they seem not to have got onto lesson two about moving but "it will take time") really needs to be done at speed and much further up the pitch. As it is, we seem to be doing it in a pedestrian way miles back and, not least since everyone knows what we are going to be doing, the other side simply drop back into their defensive and midfield banks, tighten up and watch, marking anyone troublesome (it's no surprise that O'Dowda was comfortably double marked ... defenders with zimmer frames would have had enough time to get over to him, and he might as well have gone around with a large sign over his head saying "this is their outlet, mark him and they are stuffed"). They aren't being tired out and they aren't getting pulled out of position. Just waiting. Whenever we finally get forward, there's no space and the chimps don't have the close control or sense of movement to get anywhere anyway. And when we do get forward, momentum gets lost so easily. As an example, it's an improvement that the person nearest the ball for a throw in now, fairly often picks it up ... as opposed to just leaving it for the full back to get there eventually. But what's the fircone point of said person then throwing it back to the fullback who then passes it back to the centreback who then pushes it square to the other centreback ... while the other side rearrange themselves and wait.

But more than that, the thing that was most horrible about Saturday wasn't what we were doing with the ball: it was what we weren't doing without it. Which was making any bloody effort to get it back. Whenever I watch a side like Barcelona (I know, I know) the thing that really strikes me is how hard the strikers and midfield work back and pressure to get the ball. Surely that's an integral part of this style? A basic demand?

The other thing that was really noticeable was the lack of leadership out there. As we started shipping goals, you couldn't see anyone taking control, trying to get the side going again. It was a massive collective slump of despair and resignation. Capitulation. Is that MApp's fault though? How do you instill that? Should that be a key attribute of a signing?

That said, I'm probably prepared to be more patient than most here, partly because I've got better things to do than watch this toss on a Saturday for most of the season and partly because I'm not prepared to accept this rewriting of the Wilder era as a golden age thing.

As for the management/ownership/ground nexus, I simply feel I don't know enough to set out a view. I can't see how the business model can possibly work, but equally I can't see one that would, really, in our circumstances.

[Jimski]

Very good post, AC. I agree with basically of it. I want Appleton to succeed with his passing football too, and I've seen too many managers come and go to want him out just yet. But things are also very very worrying, it has to be said.

[Eric Pollard]

Quite a few vultures on this thread. Do some people actively want OUFC to fail?

I've got nothing much to add to what's already been said - save that Cambridge played very well -lethal up front in fact.

Felt sorry for Hylton as well - Barnett was a big miss.

Our manager is about to go into the last chance saloon - next 3 games we need 5 points as a minimum.

Edit - AC's post was a good read - chimps tea party

[OUFC4eva]

Edit - AC's post was a good read - chimps tea party

Which one is "Appy" ?

[tomoufc]

Quite a few vultures on this thread. Do some people actively want OUFC to fail?

I've got nothing much to add to what's already been said - save that Cambridge played very well -lethal up front in fact.

Felt sorry for Hylton as well - Barnett was a big miss.

Our manager is about to go into the last chance saloon - next 3 games we need 5 points as a minimum.

Edit - AC's post was a good read - chimps tea party

People on this thread are vultures and want us to fail? Come off it! We're the one's that are going to be lumbered with the carcass once the vultures have had their fill.

[Snake]

Quite a few vultures on this thread. Do some people actively want OUFC to fail?

I've got nothing much to add to what's already been said - save that Cambridge played very well -lethal up front in fact.

Felt sorry for Hylton as well - Barnett was a big miss.

Our manager is about to go into the last chance saloon - next 3 games we need 5 points as a minimum.

Edit - AC's post was a good read - chimps tea party

People on this thread are vultures and want us to fail? Come off it! We're the one's that are going to be lumbered with the carcass once the vultures have had their fill.

Don’t dick about like OV, Eric. Name the “vultures”.

[Hog]

Five points minimum from the next three games? I'd say six from the next two!

[Kernow Yellow]

Five points minimum from the next three games? I'd say six from the next two!

Really? I think beating Tranmere at home and getting draws in the games at Cobblers and Carlisle would represent a decent return from the next three fixtures. We'd all be reasonably happy with that wouldn't we? We could even afford to lose at Sixfields as long as we got positive results in the other two. Sadly, though, I'm not at all confident in our abilities to do that.

[Kernow Yellow]

It would be helpful if OxVox stopped dicking around trying to curry favour with NewCo .

And your evidence for this is...?

I think Myles - who has recently (re?)joined the committee and attended meetings with NewCo having been very vocal in his concerns about the takeover might take exception to your usual sniping from afar.

[Brahma Bull]

Can't wait for Snakey to answer Kernow's question.

Yes I understand the panic, anger and frustration. It's all understandable. I don't think OxVox should be demanding or interfering in the managerial position, partly because you have a cross section of views throughout the membership. OxVox have got involved in this type of thing before, it doesn't go down well. But if that's what the membership demand, so be it.

You do know the OxVox committee, partof, have met Ashton and Eales officially once? Some of the committee are having another meeting in the coming few weeks for information.

[OUFC4eva]

Snake:I'll name a vulture for you that might just pick over our carcass - Firoz Kassam.

[Brahma Bull]

Snake:I'll name a vulture for you that might just pick over our carcass - Firoz Kassam.

As a side thought.........Firoz would come back one day, if he was wanted. That's my prediction of the day.

[Snake]

Snake:I'll name a vulture for you that might just pick over our carcass - Firoz Kassam.

What would he get from the carcass of OUFC? There is nothing worth eating (money wise), and the ground is already his to feast upon one day if OUFC goes bust and Minchery Farm gets covered in houses.