Oxford United v Torquay United 25/01/2014 Match Thread

[portugull]

BBC Sport says after 35 mins we have 65% of the possession!!.. Is this true?

[gullno4]

we're still losing though...and Portsmouth back in front

[SuperNickyWroe]

brizzie 1up now!

[Jeff]

Unlucky to be losing. At worst the game has been 50:50, at best we've been comfortably on top. However, we have been playing with the wind which has been getting worse and worse to the point it's now borderline gale force. We've got that to play into now!

Goal was poor. Downes got caught under the ball far too high up the pitch, and they exploited the gaping space behind to roll the ball in. But aside from an excellent 1-on-1 stop by Poke that has been all the threat they've brought.

Very few chances really - we've had Pearce flick the ball over from a corner when he should have done better; their keeper also spilled a Nico free kick but then was much sharper to stop the rebound, and just before half time their keeper awkwardly stopped a 20yarder from Benyon.

We've been ultra tidy in possession, but no real threat going forward. Stockley looking very isolated. Been very impressed with the midfield though, covering lots of ground. Lathrope in particular has been great.

As I type this, the wind is picked up and it's started either hailing or raining very hard. Our boys will love playing into this get the feeling we missed our chance. Although saying that, the wind is so bad, I don't know how bad it has to get before a game gets abandoned but it's going that way!

[brucie]

I don't understand what Hargreaves is doing really. We are playing an isolated striker in Stiockley and Benyon and Hawley (who are strikers) are apparently miles away from him on either flanlk.
is it any wonder we havn't scored really.
I preferred Harrops formation with Bodin in behind the strikers - in fact the way Bodin has been playing you do wonder why he isn't in the team.
Its all very well setting up the team to contain but if you concede after five minutes thats it really.
We have the elements against us in the second half so really we are going to need something of a miracle to get anything out of this game.
CAnnot really afford anymore defeats.

[TeenageGull]

CAnnot really afford anymore defeats.

[yellowforever]

I don't understand what Hargreaves is doing really. We are playing an isolated striker in Stiockley and Benyon and Hawley (who are strikers) are apparently miles away from him on either flanlk.
is it any wonder we havn't scored really.
I preferred Harrops formation with Bodin in behind the strikers - in fact the way Bodin has been playing you do wonder why he isn't in the team.
Its all very well setting up the team to contain but if you concede after five minutes thats it really.
We have the elements against us in the second half so really we are going to need something of a miracle to get anything out of this game.
CAnnot really afford anymore defeats.

Although putting a rather negative stamp on it, I do agree to an extent about Bodin. He'd suit this formation I think.

[stefano]

It's often easier playing against the wind. Here's hoping!

[SuperNickyWroe]

wycombe 2 up at mansfield

[SuperNickyWroe]

brizzie 2 up now too!
gargs losing!

[SuperNickyWroe]

ac northampton losing!

[westbaygull]

BBC stats now show us trailing in possession...

[SuperNickyWroe]

BBC stats now show us trailing in possession...

playing against a bit of a breeze apparently jane........

[Chris B]

Slightly baffled to see two of Hargreaves' signings and Bodin - our most in form player in December - still on the bench. Time to bring Billy and Goodwin on in the hope we can snatch a point.

[SuperNickyWroe]

morecambe level and the greeks losing!