trousers

Pretty much echos my thoughts. To my mind, it wouldn't be the end of the world if this season is all about stabalising the club's finances, which could result in a temporary yo-yo situation for the next couple of seasons. But, as you say, we should put us in a stronger position in the mid-to-long term

Does seem a tad contradictory to me but I'm sure the players will be in tip top condition once the season starts.

Indeed FWIW, I'm actually looking forward to this season and hope that Russ and the team do really well. Being optimistic/hopeful and pointing out our deficiencies aren't mutually exclusive stances... I was very positive about the Diaz signing, for example....

You couldn't be more wrong... Admittedly, I had a bit of a negativity blip during our poor run in last season, and all I've done today is echo Russ's own concerns about last night's performance but, hey ho, if that's your perspective on me then fair enough.

...

So why was Russ very disappointed with the way they played if it "doesn't really matter"...? Can't have it both ways. It either mattered or it didn't....

That doesn't tally with Russ's post match comments though. Why would he criticise the lack of energy shown by the players if they were phyically incapable of matching his expectations...?

Surely there can't be anyone who's not a tad concerned that we're 2 weeks away from the start of a new premier league season with a first choice keeper who, despite being at the club for 8 years, "needs more time" to come up to speed...? My natural instinct is to try and find the positives in any given scenario but I'm struggling with this one...

Totally agree that "millionaires" shouldn't get the payment, but what about the large number of 'non-rich' pensioners that sit just above the arbitrary cut-off threshold?

If that's the case, why didn't he pull them over after 15 minutes to put a rocket up their arse? If the players aren't playing the way they are being told to play then why wait until half time to put it right? Surely it's the manager's job to rectify such an obvious problem during the course of the game...?

Yep, that'll pretty much be the starting 11

How's that going to work when 9 times out of 10 Edozie loses possession before he gets chance to cross or shoot...?

Russ's post match comments would tend to suggest not...

🤔

Things we learned tonight then... - we desperately need a PL level keeper - there's a good reason why Manning never made it as a central midfielder - Russ needed to waste 45 minutes in a season preparation match to work that out... - an end product continues to elude Edozie - our first 11 is half decent, the rest are distinctly average - it's going to be a long season... ("Yeah, but it's only a meaningless friendly... Blah blah")

Tangential thought: Oxford not got a shirt sponsor this season?

Edozie so frustrating

Looking much better now (obviously)

Cheers @LeG. Surely there's someone in the club with a modicum of footballing intellect that can see what'll happen if we don't get in a decent PL level keeper?

I'm no football expert (does it show...?! ) but why is it obvious to me that we desperately need a new first choice keeper, whilst the club (who are no doubt blessed with "football experts") are seemingly oblivious to this critical shortfall in our squad? Season after season...

2-0 Dreadful from Edwards

This....