Oxford vs Saints - Boxing Day 3pm

[SuperSAINT]

*Really* need to win this one.

[LGTL]

Absolutely no excuses. Zero. None. 

Have to win this. 

[saintant]

Another draw I reckon. We seem to have reverted to Russball again for some reason. When Tonda first took over we played a lot more vertical passes and our first thought was to get forward. Now it's back to sideways, backwards and walking football and nearly every free kick is played back.

[die Mannyschaft]

This is an absolute 3 points sitter and another Charlton away performance. Unless of course we continue to incorporate walking football, side to side and not shooting at goal when in box.

I'll go safety first 0-0. A point is better than nothing. 

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

This is an absolute 3 points sitter and another Charlton away performance. Unless of course we continue to incorporate walking football, side to side and not shooting at goal when in box.

I'll go safety first 0-0. A point is better than nothing. 

They've beaten Ipswich at home and drawn with Coventry, Middlesboro, Leicester and Millwall so they'll not be a pushover.

[die Mannyschaft]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

Another draw I reckon. We seem to have reverted to Russball again for some reason. When Tonda first took over we played a lot more vertical passes and our first thought was to get forward. Now it's back to sideways, backwards and walking football and nearly every free kick is played back.

Totally agree, back to square one (or back to keeper ). We will have 1,678 passes. 

[AlexLaw76]

They are on poor form and in the bottom 3. They have lost by the odd goal lately, but anything other than a win is a terrible result.

i am sure we will continue with hoping either THB can pick a pass or Leo can do something on his own, given how extremely limited our manager is

Edited Saturday at 21:01 by AlexLaw76

[Football Special]

Three central defenders, two deep midfielders dropping to receive the ball , very few options in front of them to them to receive the ball, not set up.to counter a physical team who sit deep, Not the best tactics Tonda mush. 

Maybe throw the keeper up for corners again 

Edited Saturday at 21:00 by Football Special

[macca155]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Another draw I reckon. We seem to have reverted to Russball again for some reason. When Tonda first took over we played a lot more vertical passes and our first thought was to get forward. Now it's back to sideways, backwards and walking football and nearly every free kick is played back.

The alternative way of looking at that, is the players were free to play their preferred instinctive style, whilst they were between  managers. I find that hard to believe, but it certainly seems like Tonda has coached them back to the old ways.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Another draw I reckon. We seem to have reverted to Russball again for some reason. When Tonda first took over we played a lot more vertical passes and our first thought was to get forward. Now it's back to sideways, backwards and walking football and nearly every free kick is played back.

That is because teams are now pressing the space in midfield when we try and pass out from the back.

surely you can see this?

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

They've beaten Ipswich at home and drawn with Coventry, Middlesboro, Leicester and Millwall so they'll not be a pushover.

Good point, that make worse. Just checked both Saints and Oxford have let in 31 goals!

[saintant]

22 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

That is because teams are now pressing the space in midfield when we try and pass out from the back.

surely you can see this?

To a certain degree but I believe we have reverted to doing everything slower and being happy to pass sideways and backwards at walking pace. When Tonda first came in it was clear that he wanted the ball advanced forwards at pace without the faffing around and pointless passing between goalkeeper and centre backs. It was a breath of fresh air. The comfort zone for these players seems to be playing a form of Russball and we've sunk back into it and stopped playing on the half turn. I get that we are being pressed more but it shouldn't be as bad as it is. Every free kick in the middle of the park now automatically gets played back and we end up on the edge of our own penalty area - we weren't seeing this when he first took over. 

[Turkish]

20 minutes ago, saintant said:

To a certain degree but I believe we have reverted to doing everything slower and being happy to pass sideways and backwards at walking pace. When Tonda first came in it was clear that he wanted the ball advanced forwards at pace without the faffing around and pointless passing between goalkeeper and centre backs. It was a breath of fresh air. The comfort zone for these players seems to be playing a form of Russball and we've sunk back into it and stopped playing on the half turn. I get that we are being pressed more but it shouldn't be as bad as it is. Every free kick in the middle of the park now automatically gets played back and we end up on the edge of our own penalty area - we weren't seeing this when he first took over. 

When Tonda started Armstrong would drop deep to receive the ball from the back and we’ve have runners in behind. Other teams quickly worked that out and now block the middle and press us back so that ball isn’t on. With Armstrong being a midget we can’t go long so our out balls are Fellows or Scienza when one of them is missing we’re in trouble 

[saintant]

27 minutes ago, Turkish said:

When Tonda started Armstrong would drop deep to receive the ball from the back and we’ve have runners in behind. Other teams quickly worked that out and now block the middle and press us back so that ball isn’t on. With Armstrong being a midget we can’t go long so our out balls are Fellows or Scienza when one of them is missing we’re in trouble 

Agree and maybe the link should involve more than just AA. Perhaps our midfield two need to be more ready to get themselves into space to receive from our backline as well as Arma. Jander does a reasonable job and gets on the half turn but Downes has always been happier to just pass the ball back so he might be part of the problem. He still seems welded to Russball. We have to try something because we have become far too predictable. Bragg played the role well against Charlton and I know they played somewhat into our hands but I'd like to see him given a few starts instead of Downes. I think Charles will also improve us once he gets back from injury.

[Pamplemousse]

We'll win. They're shit.

[sockeye]

Only caught the first 10 minutes against Coventry. Seems like it wasn't an inspiring performance.

Are we stuck without Fellows and Scienza fully fit and firing?

[StrangelyBrown]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

Agree and maybe the link should involve more than just AA. Perhaps our midfield two need to be more ready to get themselves into space to receive from our backline as well as Arma. Jander does a reasonable job and gets on the half turn but Downes has always been happier to just pass the ball back so he might be part of the problem. He still seems welded to Russball. We have to try something because we have become far too predictable. Bragg played the role well against Charlton and I know they played somewhat into our hands but I'd like to see him given a few starts instead of Downes. I think Charles will also improve us once he gets back from injury.

Our opposition seem to have realised that if the CBs are pressed and that others cut off the supply to our midfield 2 who are usually outnumbered then we really struggle to get out. To me the lack of a target man means we can't easily bypass the press which in turn just keeps the pressure on us.

We also desperately need another body in midfield, but I can't see how we do that without sacrificing either one of the CBs or Azaz who naturally plays further forward.

Fundamentally it's the same 2 problems: formation and lack of a proper striker

[benjii]

6-1.

Easy.

[leeham_69]

4 hours ago, saintant said:

Agree and maybe the link should involve more than just AA. Perhaps our midfield two need to be more ready to get themselves into space to receive from our backline as well as Arma. Jander does a reasonable job and gets on the half turn but Downes has always been happier to just pass the ball back so he might be part of the problem. He still seems welded to Russball. We have to try something because we have become far too predictable. Bragg played the role well against Charlton and I know they played somewhat into our hands but I'd like to see him given a few starts instead of Downes. I think Charles will also improve us once he gets back from injury.

Downes is huge part of the problem for me - I think Charles coming back in his place will make a very big difference to this team.

[Football Special]

5 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

We'll win. They're shit.

Didn't we think that against Norwich as well? 

I don't know much about Oxford, but they've had some decent results this season particularly at home, last time we visited was a rubbish defeat pre season with Russ , hope for better this time. 

Just a short journey up the a34 shame ticket allocation was so small,  anyone going to try to watch over the fence at the car park end with no stand? 

[Thripp87]

3 hours ago, Football Special said:

Didn't we think that against Norwich as well? 

I don't know much about Oxford, but they've had some decent results this season particularly at home, last time we visited was a rubbish defeat pre season with Russ , hope for better this time. 

Just a short journey up the a34 shame ticket allocation was so small,  anyone going to try to watch over the fence at the car park end with no stand? 

Surely it’s a better option to eat it at home with a tub of Quality Street and Turkey sandwiches? The game is on Sky for anyone unable to go.

[Harry_SFC]

4 hours ago, leeham_69 said:

Downes is huge part of the problem for me - I think Charles coming back in his place will make a very big difference to this team.

Agree. Downes does a reasonable job off the ball Infront of the back 4 but on the ball he's very limited. 

[stknowle]

4 hours ago, leeham_69 said:

Downes is huge part of the problem for me 

100%. Said this on the match thread. Always just lays it off backwards or at best sideways. Wouldn’t know a forward pass from a carrot.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

4 hours ago, Football Special said:

Didn't we think that against Norwich as well? 

I don't know much about Oxford, but they've had some decent results this season particularly at home, last time we visited was a rubbish defeat pre season with Russ , hope for better this time. 

Just a short journey up the a34 shame ticket allocation was so small,  anyone going to try to watch over the fence at the car park end with no stand? 

Rowett is a pretty experienced Championship manager. Should think he's worked out how to deal with our one trick pony play.

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Rowett is a pretty experienced Championship manager. Should think he's worked out how to deal with our one trick pony play.

I agree, but apparently some Oxford fans were calling for him to be sacked after defeat at Charlton yesterday 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

19 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I agree, but apparently some Oxford fans were calling for him to be sacked after defeat at Charlton yesterday 

Probably punching above their weight in terms of league they are in. Would expect them to be bottom three at the end of the season. 

[AlexLaw76]

7 hours ago, Football Special said:

Didn't we think that against Norwich as well? 

I don't know much about Oxford, but they've had some decent results this season particularly at home, last time we visited was a rubbish defeat pre season with Russ , hope for better this time. 

Just a short journey up the a34 shame ticket allocation was so small,  anyone going to try to watch over the fence at the car park end with no stand? 

Oxford are in poor form, but don’t let in too many.

anything other than a win is a terrible result

[sfc4prem]

9 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Oxford are in poor form, but don’t let in too many.

anything other than a win is a terrible result

We've had a few naff results of late. Not expecting too much from Saints to elevate me from my Boxing Day lull.

[die Mannyschaft]

12 hours ago, saintant said:

Agree and maybe the link should involve more than just AA. Perhaps our midfield two need to be more ready to get themselves into space to receive from our backline as well as Arma. Jander does a reasonable job and gets on the half turn but Downes has always been happier to just pass the ball back so he might be part of the problem. He still seems welded to Russball. We have to try something because we have become far too predictable. Bragg played the role well against Charlton and I know they played somewhat into our hands but I'd like to see him given a few starts instead of Downes. I think Charles will also improve us once he gets back from injury.

It maybe that the plan is or next season to become a Russball team with a bit of counter with Scienza, Arma, Fellows with Charles as cover. Playing out from back is firmly cemented into Saints and a lot of teams. Certainly more licence to run and dribble but its not licence to kill off the game. 6th will be a bonus but we re too inconsistent even in 90 mins there are blocks of 10 mins great interplay, running off ball, 10 mins confusion, 10 mins panic, 10 mins sit back, 10 mind sub on all change just rotates round and round. We are creating more chances which is better than just 3 per game !!

[Oh no Mick Mills]

Absolutely nailed on defeat. 

Textbook classic Saintsy performance incoming...

[scumbag]

Hopefully they dont cross the ball or shoot on target very much.

[markr27]

19 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

They are on poor form and in the bottom 3. They have lost by the odd goal lately, but anything other than a win is a terrible result.

i am sure we will continue with hoping either THB can pick a pass or Leo can do something on his own, given how extremely limited our manager is

THB is out suspended with 5 yellows, so it'll be either Captain Jack or Mr Edwards coming in, as he won't drop a CB.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, markr27 said:

THB is out suspended with 5 yellows, so it'll be either Captain Jack or Mr Edwards coming in, as he won't drop a CB.

Whoever it is needs to have their Pirlo boots on.

[bugenhagen]

41 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Whoever it is needs to have their Pirlo boots on.

Not to worry, we have shoehorn!

[Scummer]

1 hour ago, markr27 said:

THB is out suspended with 5 yellows, so it'll be either Captain Jack or Mr Edwards coming in, as he won't drop a CB.

The 5 yellow card deadline was match 19

[ChrisPY]

4-0 Jander with a worldy.

[Willo of Whiteley]

1-1 draw.

Oxford aren’t that great, and neither are we.

[Dr Who?]

Draw I think, and going to Brum who are good at home. It might be a Christmas period of very low joy! 

[Gloucester Saint]

On 20/12/2025 at 22:21, saintant said:

To a certain degree but I believe we have reverted to doing everything slower and being happy to pass sideways and backwards at walking pace. When Tonda first came in it was clear that he wanted the ball advanced forwards at pace without the faffing around and pointless passing between goalkeeper and centre backs. It was a breath of fresh air. The comfort zone for these players seems to be playing a form of Russball and we've sunk back into it and stopped playing on the half turn. I get that we are being pressed more but it shouldn't be as bad as it is. Every free kick in the middle of the park now automatically gets played back and we end up on the edge of our own penalty area - we weren't seeing this when he first took over. 

It’s so boring to watch as well. I was a regular as a teenage through the Branfoot years but even that agricultural stuff was better to watch (sometimes anyway!) than this crab style. Had to stop watching and do something else after 65 minutes on Saturday as I was so bored of watching it passed tediously and slowly in front of a low block from Coventry. Rinse and repeat from the Norwich game.
Nobody bar Leo tried to take anyone on to create space or pass and move faster to draw them out and it wasn’t going to change. At least I got some stuff done in the house and went straight out to do something nicer.

If I can get away with it I’ll watch Cheltenham v Shrewsbury instead with Steve Cotterill getting them going, shows you what a proper adult manager can do. Steve would never let the likes of Rasmus tell him what to do. If my family haven’t headed back by that stage they might insist on watching the Saints game though. 

[die Mannyschaft]

7 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

It’s so boring to watch as well. I was a regular as a teenage through the Branfoot years but even that agricultural stuff was better to watch (sometimes anyway!) than this crab style. Had to stop watching and do something else after 65 minutes on Saturday as I was so bored of watching it passed tediously and slowly in front of a low block from Coventry. Rinse and repeat from the Norwich game.
Nobody bar Leo tried to take anyone on to create space or pass and move faster to draw them out and it wasn’t going to change. At least I got some stuff done in the house and went straight out to do something nicer.

If I can get away with it I’ll watch Cheltenham v Shrewsbury instead with Steve Cotterill getting them going, shows you what a proper adult manager can do. Steve would never let the likes of Rasmus tell him what to do. If my family haven’t headed back by that stage they might insist on watching the Saints game though. 

Lots of fans left very early to get half time beer and got back late for 2nd half. Some don't even make the KO now. The football is driving fans to drink literally. 

[Gloucester Saint]

13 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Lots of fans left very early to get half time beer and got back late for 2nd half. Some don't even make the KO now. The football is driving fans to drink literally. 

Hope they’ve at least got some decent craft options in from local breweries in the concourses if they’re going to keeping serving up Rasmus/Martinball on the pitch?

[die Mannyschaft]

51 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Hope they’ve at least got some decent craft options in from local breweries in the concourses if they’re going to keeping serving up Rasmus/Martinball on the pitch?

I'll settle for Double Diamond or Watneys Pale ale. 

[Gloucester Saint]

8 hours ago, die Mannyschaft said:

I'll settle for Double Diamond or Watneys Pale ale. 

To watch SR’s brand of crab-ball, Double IPAs, and Imperial Stouts at 11% would probably be the order of the day. A few of those plus the style of football and we’d all be asleep like the WBA fan was a couple of years ago. 

[Rebel]

Teams have worked out how to play us by pressing the midfield space and inviting the back 3 to pass the ball between them until they make a mistake.  And without a tall centre forward to lead the line and play direct to we become very predictable.  We are relying on Scienza to magic up a chance.

Fellows being back will give another attacking threat but we will still need to change it.  

It's time to ditch the back 3 and go to 4-2-3-1 with Scienza, Azaz and Fellow behind Armstrong.   Jander and Downs in midfield and 2 fullbacks who can take it in turns to drift into midfield or join the front 4 - giving us a 2-3-5 when attacking.

This would also give us more 'bodies' in midfield to play out to and the option of using the fullbacks to carry the ball forward and open up the pitch for a pass into Azaz, Scienza or Armstrong - or feed the wingers in front of them.

Jander can also drop deep to pick up the ball and carry or pass it forward.  

 

[Fabrice29]

10 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

It’s so boring to watch as well. I was a regular as a teenage through the Branfoot years but even that agricultural stuff was better to watch (sometimes anyway!) than this crab style. Had to stop watching and do something else after 65 minutes on Saturday as I was so bored of watching it passed tediously and slowly in front of a low block from Coventry. Rinse and repeat from the Norwich game.
Nobody bar Leo tried to take anyone on to create space or pass and move faster to draw them out and it wasn’t going to change. At least I got some stuff done in the house and went straight out to do something nicer.

If I can get away with it I’ll watch Cheltenham v Shrewsbury instead with Steve Cotterill getting them going, shows you what a proper adult manager can do. Steve would never let the likes of Rasmus tell him what to do. If my family haven’t headed back by that stage they might insist on watching the Saints game though. 

For someone who went off to do hoovering and visit a garden centre after 65 minutes, you posted quite a bit in the match thread during it 😂

[Toadhall Saint]

Away win

[Toadhall Saint]

11 hours ago, die Mannyschaft said:

I'll settle for Double Diamond or Watneys Pale ale. 

Party 7 style

[BARCELONASAINT]

We have to move the ball much quicker out of defence and to Fellows and Scienza If we are going to be better than Saturday. Watching THB on Saturday was akin to watching paint dry. Almost everything he did was sideways or backwards, only in the last 10/15 minutes did he appear to try and be forward thinking!

[saintant]

1 hour ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

We have to move the ball much quicker out of defence and to Fellows and Scienza If we are going to be better than Saturday. Watching THB on Saturday was akin to watching paint dry. Almost everything he did was sideways or backwards, only in the last 10/15 minutes did he appear to try and be forward thinking!

Bit of a worry considering he's the quickest, most reliable and most accurate passer out of our lumbering centre backs 🙂

[Matthew Le God]

50 minutes ago, saintant said:

Bit of a worry considering he's the quickest, most reliable and most accurate passer out of our lumbering centre backs 🙂

Quarshie is a lot quicker than Harwood-Bellis