 | Forum
Reply | Ollie cooper recalled
at 17:15 3 Jan 2026
Eom and Vipotnik would be the most comparable players to Paterson and Piroe.
Ntcham should have been in the Cooper position agreed, but he was mainly played out wide due to a lack competition on the wing. A problem we don’t have now.
Cullen, who would be picked ahead of Cooper nine times out of ten, was a striker at the time, but would now be in direct competition with Cooper. He himself, is rightly behind Widdell.
That’s without mentioning Yalcouye
Our squad is better and deeper now than it has been for a long time. A natural consequence of that, is players who were in and around the team, but never really nailed down a place then, are further down the pecking order now. |
| Forum
Reply | Ollie cooper recalled
at 08:11 3 Jan 2026
We’ve just progressed.
We couldn’t have hoped for players like Galbraith, Stamenic and Widdell a couple of years ago when Cooper was breaking through |
| Forum
Reply | Ollie cooper recalled
at 07:18 3 Jan 2026
The way we play under Matos suits Ollie Cooper more than any other style we’ve played since he’s been here. He’s made for pressing aggressively and forcing mistakes.
Whether he’s quite got the quality to compete in this squad is up for debate though. He was a bit part player last season, we’ve increased our numbers and quality since then. |
| Forum
Reply | Ronald
at 07:12 3 Jan 2026
Ronald isn’t and won’t be a fullback.
Yes, he’s our best winger defensively, is positionally aware and works hard tracking back.
But, he’d get minced by an actual winger running at him. Parker is a much better option. |
| Forum
Reply | Ronald
at 10:26 2 Jan 2026
Both their full backs and one of their wingers were booked in the first half.
I agree with you, I thought we’d run at them hard in the second half. |
| Forum
Reply | Is Vitor Matos a genius ?
at 10:22 2 Jan 2026
Fulton came on because they made two substitutions, changed tactics and battered us for ten minutes or so IMO. Matos wanted to get control of the midfield back.
We were well in control (without really threatening) for an hour, but then the game changed and Matos responded to it. |
| Forum
Reply | January Transfer Rumours
at 07:43 1 Jan 2026
Happy new year mate!
Bobby Wales is a good way to illustrate what I’m trying to say about Nzingo. He did really well in the SPL last season and still can’t force his way in. Now may be his chance with Idah injured.
Nzingo may well be brilliant, but games for Carolina Core aren’t going to tell us that. I’d expect an extension and a domestic loan if we think he’s got a future with us. |
| Forum
Reply | January Transfer Rumours
at 18:33 31 Dec 2025
I know I probably defend Cullen too much on here, but can you confidently compare a championship player to anyone playing in the MLS development league?
I don’t know a lot about it, but a few quick searches all say the standard is roughly comparable to the National league. Liam Cullen would rip that apart, as would any of our first team squad. |
| Forum
Reply | How much rotation of the squad will there be .....
at 18:09 31 Dec 2025
It’s Cullen or Wales. I assume we’ll have worked on those scenarios, but it’s not ideal.
Even if he doesn’t get injured, he’s not going to be at his peak if he has to play 90 minutes three times in less than a week. |
| Forum
Reply | West Brom New Years Day
at 16:59 31 Dec 2025
I actually think we’ll be near enough safe if we win tomorrow.
I know the gap won’t be huge, but I just can’t see this team picking up less points than Portsmouth and Ocford at a minimum over the remaining games.
Playoffs is an ask, but at least we could start looking for results above us not below us |
| Forum
Reply | How much rotation of the squad will there be .....
at 16:55 31 Dec 2025
If it’s six weeks, we need to look at a loan IMO. Doesn’t have to be a world beater, a promising PL youngster who will be guaranteed minutes or a journeyman who can just take a bit of pressure off would do.
Two managers have looked at Wales and not really thought he was ready. He may get a chance and prove them wrong. Similar to Cullen though, I’m not sure he’s physically suited to the role our strikers have been playing |
| Forum
Reply | How much rotation of the squad will there be .....
at 12:51 31 Dec 2025
I don’t think Cullen really cuts it as a direct replacement to be honest. Not that he can’t play up front, but we’d have to adapt the way we play and almost have a fluid front three swapping positions.
Both Vipotnik and Idah have been asked to take balls on their chest with centre backs on them and link play. That just isn’t his game. We’d have to pass our way through and be less direct.
We desperately need Idah back soon to take some of the workload |
| Forum
Reply | January Transfer Rumours
at 12:13 30 Dec 2025
I would think we’ll ask Vipotnik to push through the next two games, unless either Idah returns to fitness, or we’re a couple of goals up and can bring Wales on.
The cup game, I’m sure he’ll be on the bench or rested completely.
We can’t judge Bobby Wales, but Matos sees him every day. So far, neither him nor Sheehan has felt he’s ready. |
| Forum
Reply | January Transfer Rumours
at 11:50 30 Dec 2025
I do feel a bit sorry for Bobby Wales. He should really be out on loan playing football somewhere.
But with two centre forwards and classing Cullen as an attacking midfielder, we’re too short on cover, so he’s stuck in no mans land not playing for us and not playing for anyone else. |
| Forum
Reply | Oxford United v Swansea City : Match day thread
at 11:46 30 Dec 2025
This is what Vipotnik has got a lot better at IMO. Movement and anticipation in general, including but not limited to attacking crosses.
He gets much more shots away and gets played through more for the same reason.
Tymon had the third highest chance creation in the league last season, though crosses from the position he was in last night, which are probably fairly typical for him, can’t really be considered as clear cut as through balls or crosses whipped in ahead of the striker for him to attack. |
| Forum
Reply | January Transfer Rumours
at 10:05 30 Dec 2025
Preston have been linked with him. Not sure how realistic that is, but if there’s anything in it, we should be able to compete with them.
If he was available on loan though, I’d imagine a bigger hitter in the Championship would blow us both out the water |
| Forum
Reply | Oxford United v Swansea City : Match day thread
at 10:03 30 Dec 2025
That goal in particular was partly because they gave Tymon about 20 minutes to get his cross in and he placed it perfectly. Still a quality finish.
Vipotniks heading ability was never the actual issue, it was his ability to read where the cross was going and find space away from markers. He’s certainly worked on that. Two headed goals before January versus none last season, plus the one against Forest which wasn’t a header, but was from getting to the near post before his man and turning the cross in.
Yes, we were in control of that match more or less from start to finish. Just a few poor decisions in promising positions stopped us creating as many clear chances as the performance deserved. You’re right, we were solid further back and didn’t let them get a grip on the game. Apart from the late free kick I can’t remember them seriously threatening us |
| Forum
Reply | Oxford United v Swansea City : Match day thread
at 08:50 30 Dec 2025
Yes, that’s a concern. I thought he had one of his best games last night but noticeably tailed off towards the end. Not a criticism, he ran himself into the ground.
If Idah isn’t fit, it’s a big ask to play that role for 90 minutes three times in six days.
I agree, Wales would probably have come on if we’d scored again |
| | jack247
|
Site Scores| Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 0 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.