Shrewsbury Town (A) - Saturday 4th

Perhaps the 6.5 for wright and akpan is harsh. 7 as you say more fair. Would have liked to see them be a bit more positive when in possession, particularly akpan. Thought it was very safe a lot of the time. Having said that they kept a good shape and broke up play when needed.

 

And a massive upgrade on having McMahon there who played centre half for oxford yesterday and was absolutely torn a new hole.

 

I would agree with most of that, but thought Chicksen was better than a 6 - he coped very well with Whalley and until Collins made changes was left a bit exposed. Also thought Wright was worth a 7 and Miller a 6.5 - Miller's all round game was good, but 0.5 off for the offside/miss.
My MOM was O'Connor, who I thought was excellent.
None of the players could be faulted for effort in what must have been energy sapping heat.

 

Tony Mc didn’t need a new hole, he is already a complete arsehole.

 

1-0 away win first game of the season against last year's 3rd place with a a brand new squad after a disrupted and poor pre season. There shouldn't be any negatives anywhere.

 

McMahon Centre Half. Bloody hell, never saw that coming. What were they thinking. Unless of course he spun em a yarn. No wonder Barnsley got four

From the Oxford forum
McMahon - slow and looked very exposed - should have been booked when he stepped across their winger because it was the only way he could stop him

 

Just watched the full 90 c/o Dimitry

I won’t add to the previous posters comments and player scores as they seem reasonable to me

Timings approximate
First 20 Salop were chasing shadows
Rest of half even, if not in Salops slight favour, but little in the way of goal threat from them
First 25 of second half Salop in charge which produced a number of chances for them
Collins changed it by bringing on Doyle to partner Miller. What a refreshing change that was as it gave them less time on the ball at the back and left them punting aimlessly up field.
I liked the way we managed the ball in the last tiring 20mins
Bit of luck we could have got another

Standouts Payne, wow! First 5 mins left two defenders going in the wrong direction on the right touchline. He’s class
Scannell will be a real handful when fully fit
Mellor, good throw on him and timely in the tackle. Positionally sound but needs to get match fit and we will see better
Akpan and Wright did all the dirty stuff well in front of the back 3/4
Seedorf cameo role really, but he will be like Scannell when fully fit
The rock was O’Connor didn’t put a foot wrong and certainly let those that did, know! A leader!

Special mention for Miller. Ran his legs off. Not a target man but an outlet running the channels. He missed the”sitter” yes but I can see what Doyle was trying to do but Miller was offside at least a yard . Hindsight says Doyle is kicking himself for not taking on the keeper!

Great start and a refreshing system on display. Match fitness is key now as both teams were really blowing hard at the end. Anyone would in that heat though!

Barnsley will be a test for sure so let’s not get carried away just yet!

 

What a character though

 

Looks like he was playing right back on the lowlights of the goals for them.

 

Think there's little to find fault with with the team yesterday. If you consider the massive changes in personnel at the club since last season ended and the difference between then and now to go to the play off runners up and win is a huge achievement by everyone involved.

 

Who's getting carried away?

City 7-1 Barnsley.

Peasy.

 

Thanks B.B., it matches the comment re bringing down their winger!

 

Rubbish Mcmahon did a good job for two managers and he has a bit of character sadly lacking in a lot of footballers.

 

Don’t think anyone would argue, but he was a kangaroo at times Park,one can not deny it!

His behaviour post Jan 2018, leaves people me included, with a bitter taste!

 

Ho Ho , this forum auto changing dodgy words is a bark.!!!

 

Kangaroo? Was it *@?$?

 

Echo this.. good result but we have to accept things may have been different had Luke Hendrie played..

 

If you go on sky sports website they have 2 minutes worth shows all the key highlights of the game