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Reply | The 3 sides of a match thread at Oxford
at 22:10 20 Jan 2026
Unwatchable dirge.
Several players major culprits as to why we can’t keep the ball and play actual football. Mbengue, Smyth, spring to mind, again and again, game after game. Kone also gives the ball away with alarming regularity.
Far too many players in this side / squad who are nowhere near good enough on the ball. |
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Reply | Sell Jon Varane ?
at 23:43 14 Jan 2026
I agree. And it probably wasn’t a conscious decision or impulse. In any case, it was extremely poor form. |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 23:30 14 Jan 2026
Ok, fair enough. That said, I don’t see any of these as likely or probable. And neither do I think any of them are likely based on public information. But then maybe I am biased based on other info. Ferdinand was in favour and largely toed the Hoos line. The owners, have long been in favour. Hoos has been the outspoken one, and the leading / defining voice. It needed a new defining voice to get it over the line. Either way, we are now there. Which is fantastic. |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 22:30 14 Jan 2026
Possibilities yes. Because the only other possibility is that Lee Hoos championed this himself. Which doesn’t really add up based on known information. So, possibilities yes, probability likely no. |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 22:23 14 Jan 2026
He’s evidently not part of the decision as he is on record for staunchly opposing it. Unless he’s had a complete about turn, which would be very unlike Hoos.
Since the training ground was complete, absolutely nothing has stopped cat 1 application. We’ve been at Heston for over 2 years. So, why now? It’s a case of reading between the lines. |
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Reply | Kone playing in his actual position as a number 9
at 22:14 14 Jan 2026
He’s no doubt a finisher. But for me, his all round game is actually quite poor, at least currently . As a supposed hold up player, his hold and lay game is 50/50 at best.
Reminds me of Lyndon Dykes in that regard. One minute, it’s excellent. The next, it’s giving it away for fun / bouncing off him / failing to complete a simple lay off. That said, hes definitely got something to work with.
And he’s got ample time to grow at 22, as I’m sure he will, but his overall game and especially his failure to retain the ball, and his jogging-like closing down (almost half arsed at times), has increasingly grated. |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 21:47 14 Jan 2026
Some things cannot be divulged on here. However, by process of elimination, coupled with publicly available information as you stated, the answer as to who helped drive this - or at least get it over the line and make a concrete decision - is pretty obvious.
Edit: nourrys ego is good for some things :) [Post edited 14 Jan 21:48]
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 21:42 14 Jan 2026
Should have added… this is absolutely fantastic news for the club.
And as the statement suggests, if ever one was needed, it further demonstrates the unrelenting long-term commitment of the owners. |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 21:29 14 Jan 2026
I’ve posted on here before about the plans for category 1. It’s been in the works for some time. But it’s fair to say Hoos was not a proponent of it. Owners always been willing. Nourry, with a different perspective, and likely data-driven, or analytical-backed (as the decision should be), has helped get this over the line. Rightly so… rather than Hoos’ wild entrenched opinion that so he so often doubled down on. (And was later proven wrong) |
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Reply | Cat 1. Academy Plans
at 19:18 14 Jan 2026
Only the Dome, which has always been planned for the phase 2 works.
Re accommodation, that’s a myth, it doesn’t have to be an on site club dorm but must meet basic safeguarding and proximity standards. It’s mainly housing overseas players.
Club have eyed this for some time. Yet Hoos was staunch against it, fortunately, hes been out voted this time - long overdue, and rightly so.
Upgrading to Cat 1 is mainly extra wage-related annual costs, like mandatory physios and performance analysts for every age group, that is the bulk. Doesn’t amount to millions. Main investment is the one-time capital outlay for the Dome, which won’t be cheap. [Post edited 14 Jan 19:20]
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Reply | Kolli
at 22:33 11 Jan 2026
The Rangers players were also fully congratulating, hugging, and high-fiving Kolli after the game last week. Player by player. He’s an extremely down to earth lad, and unfortunately, it’s posts like this that start unnecessary rumours.
What is true, is that in the heat of the moment, players frequently get moody with one another, happens every game if you watch closely. Also happens at every Sunday league pitch every weekend but doesn’t mean you aren’t friendly with your team mates off the pitch. [Post edited 11 Jan 22:35]
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Reply | Kolli
at 20:32 11 Jan 2026
Spot on. |
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Reply | Ronnie returns, but is it the handsome deal QPR hope? – Signing
at 07:59 10 Jan 2026
Good post. Although the “selling bit” is the hardest part is the reverse from where I’m standing.
The buying part is hardest. The rest takes care of itself - so long as you have bought well and they are continuously kept under contract. (Something we have not done well in the past).
Brentford buy well, we do not. That’s what needs to change. And on that note, I’m unconvinced / concerned by our transfer strategy splashing serious cash on middling 24-25 year olds like Saito and even Madsen.
We’ve been here with this age group before with Les and I’m amazed we haven’t learnt our lessons. it’s extremely hard to turn a profit inside the age window of 1-2 years needed for this age group before values plateau or plummet. |
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Reply | Burrel out until March
at 11:15 9 Jan 2026
Well, football is not a “slow burn” sport is it?
Every game is played at the maximum, for 3 points, since game week 1. It’s an explosive, dynamic fitness.
Its not an endurance burn, like Cycling, where you start slow and steadily build
And finish strongly.
So it’s hardly a surprise we are getting all these injuries. Cycling fitness is completely different to football fitness and applying the same core principles is nuts. But it’s the classic Dunning-Kruger effect being played out by Williams. |
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Reply | Ronnie Edwards
at 20:45 8 Jan 2026
No worries, we’ve got a cycling fitness coach in to run the ship, with zero background in football. Fully qualified. |
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Reply | Daniel Bennie
at 20:36 8 Jan 2026
I’m aware. But he’s no wide midfielder, and he doesn’t look a striker either. |
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Reply | Daniel Bennie
at 19:13 8 Jan 2026
He doesn’t have one. And that’s always a problem. |
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Reply | January transfer rumours
at 09:02 7 Jan 2026
Agree. Technically, he’s significantly lacking as a footballer. He’s very much a functional and physical footballer. That isn’t going to cut it at right back long term with the way we intend to play.
I like him, but not as a long term solution. As for centre back, his size will likely go against him there. |
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