Oxford is now a must win

[Spijed]

If we don't win it then gap to the top two starts to become different to bridge.

[willsclarets]

Mentioned this on another thread, but we have to back ourselves and say "the playoffs are assured". That being the case, we have to take more risks to get what we actually want, which is top two. Maybe that's his plan, not sure. But he's not daft, he knows our current approach gets us 4th and no better.

[Jakubs Tash]

Not sure what makes people think we will create anything against a team that will clearly put 11 men behind the ball.

Still, let’s hope we keep another clean sheet because that’s the main thing……

[jojomk1]

I'm going for a score of

0 - 0

[Milltown1882]

0-0 incoming

[Devils_Advocate]

AC Milan didn't beat Oxford in 1994 and they did OK

[Bosscat]

I'm going for a score of

0 - 0

Controversial

[Sapperclaret73]

Just like today was…


They’re all must win games when leeds and sheff utd are winning. I’ve always been on board the way with approached this season but today has broken me, and I didnt travel down.


I think what SP has done has been great but plymouth a side, we’ve looked shocking going forward. That simply cannot be down to players not performing.

[ElectroClaret]

If we can only get two points out of the Pompey and Oxford games, it's time to pack it in.

[ervi34]

It should be a must win regardless of any other result.

[Ric_C]

Drop Laurent, play foster up front, bring in Shelvey. Play Hannibal on the left

[DCWat]

We’ve certainly got to start showing some attacking quality and intent. Everything we do is that bit too slow, be that on or off the ball, and our decision making when in promising positions has been an issue all season.

A hell of a lot of credit has to be given to what we are achieving at the other end of the pitch, but that’s only half of the game.

I’m not convinced that against the majority of teams in this division, we need two deeper midfielders.

I didn’t see much of the game today, but how did we line up once Mejbri came on for Sarmiento? Did we try Flemming behind Foster, or did the formation remain the same, with Foster off the left?

Hopefully the lad from Portugal goes through and there are a couple more in the offing. We’ve a few too many offensively who aren’t delivering enough, regularly enough.

[JohnDearyMe]

We’ve certainly got to start showing some attacking quality and intent. Everything we do is that bit too slow, be that on or off the ball, and our decision making when in promising positions has been an issue all season.

A hell of a lot of credit has to be given to what we are achieving at the other end of the pitch, but that’s only half of the game.

I’m not convinced that against the majority of teams in this division, we need two deeper midfielders.

I didn’t see much of the game today, but how did we line up once Mejbri came on for Sarmiento? Did we try Flemming behind Foster, or did the formation remain the same, with Foster off the left?

Hopefully the lad from Portugal goes through and there are a couple more in the offing. We’ve a few too many offensively who aren’t delivering enough, regularly enough.

We showed absolutely no intent to win that game. We played like we were a non league team in an FA Cup game who were desperate for a draw.

I was half hoping for a Portsmouth goal just to make us show a bit more attacking intent

[Newchurch Claret]

Today was a must win.

[Goody1975]

Today was a must win.

It was said after the Leeds game that a draw was a great result, as Pompey away and Oxford at home should be six points.

Well the first one didn't go to plan, and PNE away will be a really tough test on the other side of the Oxford game.

[blatherwickstattoos]

0-0 written all over it. 3 holding midfielders who don’t want to attack. Wingers who are isolated. Striker who’s not a striker

[jrgbfc]

If we play out another nil nil on Tuesday i think the crowd might start to turn a bit.

[Shappie]

If we play out another nil nil on Tuesday i think the crowd might start to turn a bit.

They already have

[Woodleyclaret]

We will beat Oxford Saints and PNE UTC

[Murger]

If we play out another nil nil on Tuesday i think the crowd might start to turn a bit.

Was just going to say the same. Unless we show a bit more urgency in our play, I can see a few of the natives getting fairly restless.

[IanMcL]

Restless watching a 0-0 is an oxymoron!

[Poulton-le-Claret]

It will be a graveyard in terms of atmosphere

[TheFamilyCat]

There are no must-win games at this stage of the season.

But another 0-0 would do more damage to morale than the dropping of two points.

[JR1882]

Can’t think of anything less appealing than this game, will keep the season card in the drawer I think and watch Netflix instead

[dougcollins]

If we play out another nil nil on Tuesday i think the crowd might start to turn a bit.

Unless they're all asleep.

[dougcollins]

There are no must-win games at this stage of the season.

But another 0-0 would do more damage to morale than the dropping of two points.

So it's a must win then?

[TheFamilyCat]

So it's a must win then?

No

[dougcollins]

No

We can't draw, therefore we have to lose?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Think Parker has got to let the reigns go a bit for this game.

Oxford are no mugs but a 6th 0-0 in 8 games will start to become a bit of a joke.

I think the next three games will be a good indicator of where we will finish this season.

[dougcollins]

I think the next three games will be a good indicator of where we will finish this season.

**** me, how long have we been saying that for?

[Newcastleclaret93]

**** me, how long have we been saying that for?

Different circumstance now, the next three games will
Show whether we stay in touch or a gap is formed.

[me01jh]

Oxford are unbeaten since GR went in, they are well organised and will be very hard to break down. If there was ever a tie that had nil nil written all over it then it is this one.

[burnley007]

Already backed 0-0 at 9/1

[burnley007]

Different circumstance now, the next three games will
Show whether we stay in touch or a gap is formed.

Then people will say, wait till end of March....what do you think is going to happen??

[me01jh]

Already backed 0-0 at 9/1

Hedge that with a 1-0 win for Oxford and you'll have a great day regardless.

[alboclaret]

Already backed 0-0 at 9/1

Just to note, your slightly better backing no goalscore, same odds but if it's say a 1-0 either way and a own goal then it still pays

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

I suspect the crowd will turn this Tuesday if we spend another 90 mins of passing it around in our own half.

[Bosscat]

Already backed 0-0 at 9/1

Don't believe you

Screenshot_20250201_211138_Chrome.jpg (100.47 KiB) Viewed 2385 times

[clitheroeclaret3]

Oxford weren`t doing well up until Christmas, leeds beat them 4 nil.
Since that game they`ve turned it round won 5, drawn 4

[RVclaret]

Oxford weren`t doing well up until Christmas, leeds beat them 4 nil.
Since that game they`ve turned it round won 5, drawn 4

New manager. Rowett has done a real job.

[gawthorpe_view]

The remaining 4 league games in February are all 'winnable', 3 are at home.
If we're still pants on the 1st March best prepare ourselves for the play-offs.

[Stonehouse]

Today was a must win.

Today we played more like a Dyche team than a VK team ,6 passes around at the back then launching it forward,and Flemming dropping to the floor like Ash used to do ,if we were mid table and nothing to play for then fans would be voting with their feet and stopping away.

[Stonehouse]

I suspect the crowd will turn this Tuesday if we spend another 90 mins of passing it around in our own half.

No doubt James Trafford will be instructed to timewaste from the kick off.

[Andreshotboots]

As Rocky used to say "attack, attack, attack attack, attack!!! I couldn't give a hoot about our recorded breaking defence, it means absolutely nothing if you're not winning games at the other end of the pitch

Let's be brave, let's be attacking, and if we conceded a goal or two who gives a crap, let's just unleash some of our more creative players, this needs to start with the manager, it seems this clean sheet, record breaking defence is all we're focussing on.

[boatshed bill]

If we don't win it then gap to the top two starts to become different to bridge.

Any team, even the top 2, can lose.

[ElectroClaret]

Would say it's more like a must-not-lose

[Silkyskills1]

Different circumstance now, the next three games will
Show whether we stay in touch or a gap is formed.

Your stats telling you how the teams above us will perform?

[The Shire Claret]

Win the next 2 games and we will be in the top 2 again for me

[summitclaret]

I suspect the crowd will turn this Tuesday if we spend another 90 mins of passing it around in our own half.

It'll be a lot less than 90 minutes if we don't stop pi55ing about with short passes across the back line and JT taking ages to restart the game. The next 2 home games will probably go a long way to determining if we are still realistically in the automatic race.

[Quicknick]

We will win on Tuesday.