League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

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Can we keep the hopes alive?

Oxford Win
7
39%
Ipswich Win
3
17%
Draw
8
44%
 
Total votes: 18

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Frosty
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League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Frosty » Wed Mar 16, 2022 9:24 pm

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ImageOxford United v Ipswich TownImage



Saturday 19th March 2022 – 15:00

Kassam Stadium




Image




Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike



The Point Of No Return.....................


Another game has come and gone and again no headway has been on closing the gap to those above us, it's been well documented that draws are just not good enough at this stage and yet once again a home game that offered so much ended in another stalemate, hot on the heels of the goalless draw against Cheltenham Town at Portman Road we were dished up another One, this time at home to a frustrating and dare I say it, poor Portsmouth side. I think our reputation must be going before us as they paid us so much respect it was almost as if they were frightened to go toe to toe with us, instead opting to waste time, push gamesmanship to the limit and try with all their might to cling on to a point, sadly they managed it as we again fell short in front of goal.

Things are definitely not going our way at a crucial time, while we can blame no-one but ourselves for our failure to score we can point to injuries at a key time to key players, Edmundson, Morsy and Jackson all falling foul to injuries when we could well do without them, yes it is a squad game but certain players are missed more than others and based on recent games that is the spine of our team wiped out. I think it has to be said that as far as Saturday's game was concerned we didn't miss George Edmundson thanks to a super game from his replacement Cameron Burgess, he didn't put a foot wrong and was most probably our man of the match, he was certainly the best defender on the pitch. Replacing skipper Sam Morsy in the up coming games will not be as easy for sure as he is so inspirational and has been in cracking form of late, he also rubs off on others around him and it was no surprise to see Tyreeq Bakinson look a shadow of the player he was while Morsy was on the pitch, the pairing looked good but once the captain departed Bakinson struggled and with Tom Carroll beside him it just didn't work.

Another thing that certainly didn't go our way was the goal that was chalked off in the dying moments of the game, the officials believe the offside Luke Woolfenden had got a touch on the ball in fact he hadn't has potentially cost us massively , those Two point could well be crucial, it hardly done anything to lift the fortunes of Macauley Bonne either who just cannot buy a goal right now. The positive thing to take from the game is that despite Pompey coming to town as one of the in form teams in the division they really were second best throughout much of the game and there was only One team looking to win the match, as is usually the case.

It really has got to the point of no return now, one more slip and it's game over, we have Eight games to go and I think we need to win Seven of them, very little room for error. When casting an Eye over the remaining games it looks unlikely what with the likes of Oxford, Plymouth, Rotherham and Wigan still to play, while we may have it in the tank to beat Cambridge, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Charlton can we really see us winning Three of those games against the teams above us ? It would be some feat and at our best we can beat any of them, it's consistency and converting chances that are the issues but while there is hope I am sure nobody connected to the club will be giving up.

The first of those games see's us make the difficult trip to Oxford Utd who are free scoring and playing well. Oxford currently sit in Fourth place with Sixty Eight points so have almost secured their play off slot, their current form is very good too with Five wins in the last Six outings, ironically it was Portsmouth who got them better of them at Fratton Park during that run, what a strange league this is. Oxford will know they still have work to do though as after us they face the likes of Plymouth, Sunderland, MK Dons and Rotherham so their home games are key and they will see this as a game they need to win. Matty Taylor is their main man with Twenty One goals to his name already and he is One player that will need to be watched very closely indeed, with our excellent defensive record reeling off clean sheet after clean sheet it will be interesting to see who comes out on top, the free scoring attack or the tough to crack defence, it bodes well for a very good game.

If I am honest I see this as the game that may just see the dying embers of our play off chase peter out completely, Oxford are good and at home are a tough nut to crack, with Morsy almost certainly out and little in the way of goal power I think this may turn into a disappointing day for town players, officials and fans alike so sadly it's a home win for me as we immediately turn our attentions to next seasons promotion surge. COYB'S



The Opposition – Oxford United



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Oxford United were formed as Headington in 1893, adding the suffix United in 1911 after merging with Headington Quarry. The club was founded by Rev. John Scott-Tucker, the vicar at Saint Andrew's Church in Headington, and a local doctor named Robert Hitchings. A football team was a way for the cricketers of Headington Cricket Club to maintain their fitness during the winter break. The club's first football match played was against Cowley Barracks.

Headington had no regular home until 1913, when they were able to purchase Wootten's Field on London Road, but this was redeveloped in 1920, forcing the club to move. A permanent home was found in 1925, when they purchased the Manor Ground site on London Road. The facility was used as a cricket pitch in the summer, and a football pitch in the winter. In 1899, six years after their formation, Headington United joined the Oxfordshire District League Second Division, where they competed until the outbreak of the First World War; the Second Division was renamed the Oxfordshire Junior League after the resumption of football in 1919.

In 1921, the club was admitted into the Oxon Senior League. The first season included a 9–0 victory, with eight of those goals coming from P. Drewitt. This remains a record for the highest number of goals scored by an Oxford player in a first-team match. At this time a small rivalry existed with Cowley F.C., who were based a few miles south of Headington. During a league game on May Day, the referee gave two penalties to Cowley; supporters broke past security and players, resulting in the referee being "freely baited". The first FA Cup tie played was in 1931, against Hounslow F.C. in the Preliminary Round, ending in an 8–2 defeat for Headington. United spent two seasons in the Spartan League in 1947 and 1948, finishing fifth and fourth respectively. It was around this time that the cricket team left the Manor and moved to new premises near Cowley Barracks.

A move into professional football was first considered during the 1948–49 season. Vic Couling, the president at the time, had applied for Headington to become a member of a new Second Division in the Southern League. Other teams that applied included Weymouth, Kettering Town and future league side Cambridge United. Although the plans were postponed, the First Division was going to be expanded by two clubs; Weymouth and Headington were elected. It was later discovered that Llanelli had just one vote fewer than Headington. Oxford played its first season in the Southern League in 1949, the same year they turned professional. Former First Division forward Harry Thompson was hired as manager. In 1950, Headington United became the first professional club in Britain to install floodlights, and used them on 18 December against Banbury Spencer. They initially played in orange and blue shirts, but changed to yellow home shirts for the 1957–58 season. The reason for the change is unknown. In 1960, Headington United was renamed Oxford United, to give the club a higher profile.

Two years later, in 1962, the club won the Southern League title for the second successive season and was elected to the Football League Fourth Division, occupying the vacant place left by bankrupt Accrington Stanley.

Two successive eighteenth-place finishes followed, before promotion to the Third Division was achieved in 1965. A year before the promotion, Oxford became the first Fourth Division club to reach the sixth round of the FA Cup, but have not progressed that far in the competition since. Oxford won the Third Division title in 1967–68, their sixth season as a league club, but after eight years of relative stability the club was relegated from the Second Division in 1975–76.

In 1982, as a Third Division side, Oxford United faced closure because of the club's inability to service the debts owed to Barclays Bank, but were rescued when businessman Robert Maxwell took over the club. In April 1983, Maxwell proposed merging United with neighbours Reading, to form a new club called the Thames Valley Royals, to play at Didcot. Jim Smith would have managed the club and been assisted by Reading boss Maurice Evans. The merger was called off as a result of fans of both clubs protesting against the decision. Furthermore, the Reading chairman stepped down and was replaced by an opponent of the merger. Maxwell also threatened to fold the club if the merger did not go through. Oxford won the Third Division title after the 1983–84 season under the management of Jim Smith, who also guided them to the Second Division title the following year. This meant that Oxford United would be playing First Division football in the 1985–86 season, 23 years after joining the Football League. Smith moved to Queens Park Rangers shortly after the promotion success, and made way for chief scout Maurice Evans, who, several seasons earlier, had won the Fourth Division title with Reading.

Oxford United finished eighteenth in the 1985–86 First Division, avoiding relegation on the last day of the season after defeating Arsenal 3–0. They also won the Football League Cup, known at the time as the Milk Cup under a sponsorship deal. As winners, Oxford would have qualified for the following season's UEFA Cup, had it not been for the ban on English teams that had resulted from the previous year's Heysel Stadium disaster. It was the last time the League Cup was played under the name "Milk Cup", sponsors Littlewoods taking over the following season. The 1986–87 season saw Oxford United narrowly avoid relegation and stay in the First Division. Robert Maxwell resigned as chairman in May 1987, to take over at Derby County, handing the club to his son Kevin. Maurice Evans was sacked in March 1988 with Oxford bottom of the First Division.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson was named as Oxford's new manager, but was unable to prevent relegation to the Second Division. He was sacked three months into the 1988–89 Second Division campaign after a dispute with the chairman over the £1 million sale of striker Dean Saunders to Derby County. Derby were owned by Robert Maxwell, father of the then Oxford United chairman, Kevin Maxwell. Following Robert Maxwell's death in 1991, his personal estate, including the club, became insolvent.

After a long search for a new owner, during which BioMass Recycling Ltd took over the club, Brian Horton was named as Oxford's new manager. He remained in charge until September 1993, when he moved to Manchester City in the recently formed FA Premier League. Horton led United to mid-table finishes during his management spell, apart from a 21st-place finish at the end of the 1991–92 season. Oxford, now in the renamed Football League Division One, briefly restored Maurice Evans as manager, before turning to Bristol City manager Denis Smith. Despite Smith's efforts, Oxford was relegated to Division Two at the end of the 1993–94 season, with just four wins in the last eleven games.

Denis Smith brought in two strikers who were experienced in the top division: Southampton's Paul Moody and Nottingham Forest's Nigel Jemson. Oxford finished seventh in 1994–95 season, and in the following season gained promotion by finishing runners-up to rivals Swindon Town, despite not winning an away game till the end of January. Robin Herd, co-owner of the March Racing Team, took control of the club in 1995. In June of that year, the board of directors unveiled plans for a new 16,000-seat stadium at Minchery Farm, to replace the dilapidated Manor Ground. The club had hoped to move into the new stadium near the Blackbird Leys housing estate by the start of the 1998–99 season, but construction was suspended during the preceding season, because construction company Taylor Woodrow had not been paid for the work already undertaken.

The 1996–97 season saw Oxford finish seventeenth, and included the sale of Scottish international defender Matt Elliott to Leicester City. Despite Smith's departure to West Bromwich Albion in December 1997, United finished twelfth the following season under his successor, and former captain, Malcolm Shotton. Shotton was previously the assistant manager of the Barnsley side that gained promotion to the Premier League. During October 1998, the backroom staff at the club went unpaid, due to United's financial situation with the new stadium, and the threat of administration caused a group of fans to set up a pressure group called Fighting for Oxford United's Life (FOUL). The group began to publicise the club's plight through a series of meetings and events, including a 'Scarf of Unity', which was a collection of scarves from various clubs which was long enough to stretch around the perimeter of the pitch. Chairman Robin Herd stepped down to concentrate on his engineering projects, and in April 1999 Firoz Kassam bought Herd's 89.9% controlling interest in Oxford United for £1, with which he also inherited the club's estimated £15 million debt. Kassam reduced £9 million of the debt to just £900,000, by virtue of a Company Voluntary Arrangement, by which unsecured creditors who were owed over £1,000 were reimbursed with 10p for every pound they were owed. Secured creditors were paid off when Kassam sold the Manor to another of his companies, for £6 million. Kassam set about completing the unfinished stadium, gaining planning permission for a bowling alley, multiplex cinema and hotel next to the stadium, following a series of legal battles which were eventually all settled. The season ended with relegation back to the Second Division.

Oxford's poor form continued into the 1999–2000 season and, with the team in the relegation zone, Shotton resigned in late October. After a few months with Mickey Lewis as player-manager, former manager Denis Smith returned to the club, managing a twentieth-place finish, one place clear of relegation. Smith's second spell didn't last long, and he was replaced by David Kemp a few weeks into the following campaign. At the end of the 2000–01 season, Oxford were relegated back to the Third Division after a 35-year absence, with 100 goals conceded. They suffered 33 league defeats, the second-highest number of league defeats ever endured by a league club in a single season.

Oxford began the next season with a new manager and a new stadium, with the relocation to the Kassam Stadium completed after six years of speculation. Former Liverpool and England defender Mark Wright was given the manager's job, but resigned in late November, after being accused of making racist remarks to referee Joe Ross. Wright's successor, Ian Atkins, was unable to make an immediate impact and Oxford finished in 21st position in the league, at the time their lowest-ever league position. United missed out on the play-off places the following season, by one place and one point. Fifteen wins at the start of the 2003–04 season saw Oxford top of the table at the end of January. However, Ian Atkins was sacked in March after agreeing to take charge at rivals Bristol Rovers. His replacement, Graham Rix, could only manage a ninth-place finish at the end of the season, and was sacked the following November. Oxford replaced him with Argentine Ramón Díaz, who managed the team to a mid-table finish. Diaz and his team of assistants left the club at the beginning of May 2005, after being banned from the ground by the chairman following failed negotiations. During his time at the club, Diaz brought in a number of South American players including his own sons, and Juan Pablo Raponi. Ex-England midfielder and former West Bromwich Albion manager Brian Talbot signed a two-year contract to replace Rix. Talbot found little success and was sacked in March 2006, with the club in 22nd place. He was replaced by youth team coach Darren Patterson.

On 21 March 2006, Firoz Kassam sold the club, including its debts, for approximately £2 million to Florida-based businessman Nick Merry, who had played for United's youth team in the mid-1970s. Merry immediately made changes to the club, including the hiring of former manager Jim Smith in his second spell. Despite signing five new players on his first day in charge, Smith was unable to prevent relegation at the end of the 2005–06 season. After 44 years in English league football, Oxford were relegated to the Conference National after finishing in 23rd place, becoming the first former winners of a major trophy to be relegated from the league. Coincidentally, Accrington Stanley, the club whose bankruptcy in 1962 allowed United to be elected into the League, was one of the two clubs promoted to replace them.

Jim Smith was retained as manager for the following season, and it started positively for Oxford, with 14 wins and 8 draws from the opening 25 games. A run of eleven league games without a win followed, and saw United drop to second, where they remained until the end of the season. On Boxing Day 2006, a crowd of 11,065 watched United draw 0–0 with Woking at the Kassam Stadium, the largest-ever attendance for a Conference match (excluding play-offs). Oxford qualified for the play-offs by finishing second, but lost on penalties in the semi-final to Exeter City.

On 9 November 2007, Jim Smith resigned as manager and first-team coach Darren Patterson returned as manager. In a lacklustre season which included defeats to Droylsden and Tonbridge Angels, camouflaged by a belated run of eight wins in the last eleven games, Oxford finished 9th in the Conference National in 2007–08, 10 points off the last play-off place.

On 2 October 2008, Nick Merry stepped down as chairman to be replaced by Kelvin Thomas, who had been part of the management team at the time of Merry's takeover. Just under two months later, Patterson was sacked after a poor run of form, and was replaced by former Halifax Town manager Chris Wilder. Following Wilder's arrival, the team won 15 of the remaining 21 league matches that season. A 5-point deduction for fielding an unregistered player resulted in a seventh-place finish, four points and two places short of the play-offs.

Oxford led the table for most of the first half of the 2009–10 season, but dropped into the play-off places after a poor run of form, finishing third. They beat Rushden & Diamonds over two legs to advance to the play-off final against York City on 16 May 2010. Oxford won the final 3–1, to return to the Football League for the 2010–11 season. The attendance was 42,669, a new record for the final, with around 33,000 being United fans.

Oxford's first game back in the Football League was away to Burton, which finished in a 0–0 draw; their first League win was on 4 September against Morecambe at the Kassam Stadium, with James Constable scoring a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory. They finished the season in 12th place.

The team spent much of the 2011–12 season in or around the playoff places, and achieved the double over rivals (and eventual champions) Swindon Town for the first time since the 1973–74 season. However, they failed to win any of their last seven matches and finished the season in 9th place, two places and four points outside the play-offs.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas stepped down during the 2012 close season, to be replaced by owner Ian Lenagan. The 2012–13 season was blighted by injuries and patchy form: after opening the season with three wins and briefly heading the table, United lost their next six games, a pattern of inconsistency that was to continue throughout the season. United finished outside the play-offs for the third consecutive season, but manager Chris Wilder was given a further one-year contract in April 2013. Some Oxford fans were unhappy about the decision to renew Wilder's contract, having pressed for his sacking during the second half of the 2012–13 season.

After another bright start, Oxford led the table several times in the first half of the 2013–14 season. On 25 January 2014, with the club faltering though still in the play-off places, Wilder resigned as manager to take up the reins at relegation-threatened Northampton. Mickey Lewis subsequently became the caretaker manager for a second time for the club. On 22 March 2014, Gary Waddock was appointed the head coach of the club after a lengthy interview process, leaving his job as Head of Coaching at MK Dons. Under Lewis and Waddock, Oxford slipped out of the play-off places in the final few weeks of the season, finishing a disappointing eighth in the table, nine points off the last playoff place.

In July 2014, Waddock's contract was terminated after a change of ownership and he was replaced by Michael Appleton. Waddock's surprise sacking ensured he had the worst record of any Oxford manager, winning only once and losing seven times in his eight games in charge of the club.

After an indifferent first season under Appleton, Oxford achieved promotion to League One in his second year in charge, finishing the 2015–16 season in 2nd place with 86 points. They also reached the final of the League Trophy at Wembley Stadium, only the club's third appearance at the national stadium, but were defeated 3–2 by their League One opponents Barnsley. In 2016–17, having sold Kemar Roofe during the close season for a record £3m and signed Marvin Johnson for an undisclosed fee also thought to be a club record, Oxford finished 8th in League One, four points short of the playoff places, and again lost in the final of the League Trophy at Wembley, this time to relegation-bound Coventry City.

Appleton left the club to become assistant manager at Leicester City of the Premier League in June 2017, and was replaced by Pep Clotet, formerly assistant manager at Leeds United. On 22 January 2018, Clotet was sacked, with the club in 10th place in League One after a home defeat to bottom club Bury.

After a lengthy period under caretaker-manager Derek Fazackerley during which the team slipped to within 4 points of the relegation zone, Karl Robinson, former manager of Milton Keynes Dons and Charlton Athletic, was appointed on 22 March 2018.

A 12th place finished was achieved the following year, despite spending over half of the season in the relegation zone. An improved 4th place finished followed in the shortened 2019/20 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. When the season was suspended, Oxford were 3rd in the table, but following an agreement from clubs to end the season early, the U's dropped one place to 4th after the final table was decided under an unweighted points per game system. The play-offs continued as normal, where United faced Portsmouth in the semi-final. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. United won 5-4 on penalties when the game ended 1-1 after extra time. In the final behind closed doors at Wembley, Oxford lost 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers.

Last season Oxford again reached the playoffs, but were knocked out in the semi-finals by Blackpool.





The Manager – Karl Robinson



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Form Guide




Oxford Last 5 Matches – Currently in 4th place with 68 points





22 Feb Crewe Alexandra 0 - 1


26 Feb Oxford Utd 4 - 2 Cambridge Utd


1 Mar Portsmouth 3 - 2 Oxford Utd


5 Mar Oxford Utd 4 - 1 Burton Albion


12 Mar Shrewsbury 1 - 2 Oxford Utd






Ipswich Last 5 Matches – Currently in 9th place with 60 points




22 Feb Ipswich Town 0 - 0 Cheltenham


26 Feb Morecambe 1 - 1 Ipswich Town


5 Mar Fleetwood 0 - 2 Ipswich Town


8 Mar Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Lincoln City


12 Mar Ipswich Town 0 - 0 Portsmouth





Match Referee – Marc Edwards



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OXFORD UNITED 1 IPSWICH TOWN 1

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Shed on tour
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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Shed on tour » Thu Mar 17, 2022 10:03 am

Will probably be my last away game this season so hoping we can put in a good performance whatever the result. Although mathematically it is still possible to make the playoffs it would take some extraordinary results for it to happen. Normally with the type of run we have been on since McKenna became manager we would have been in the mix for 6th place but the other teams above us have also been picking up a fair amount of points.
As for the game on Saturday I will go for:
Oxford 1 Town 1

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Denny61 » Thu Mar 17, 2022 11:56 am

Unfortunately i can see us not getting a result ;as in a loss or a draw which effectively ends our season and puts us out of our misery..its just a pity all those away or home draws failed to.get us the precious 3 points. Oh well another year in league one ..!!! It could have been worse ..league 2

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by marko69 » Thu Mar 17, 2022 1:35 pm

Yep, excellent preview and the “ifs” & “buts” summed up nicely. 24pts up for grabs and no doubt need at least 19-21 of them. Tall order.

But……. Glimmer of hope could be, (big could be) that oxford will be susceptible to being opened up with their attacking style. Won’t be a brick wall at the back. Hopefully someone can take one or two chances that will inevitably come their way. Maybe Bersant from outside the box. “MIGHT BE” easier to score v Ox than Chelt. 🤷‍♂️
1-1 draw.

Ref caption:

Player: “Hey ref? Not EVERY SINGLE CHALLENGE is a foul, man.”
Ref: “Noooooo, you’re pulling my leg! You serious?”

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by arana peligrosa » Thu Mar 17, 2022 2:30 pm

Voted for them to win. Long before any play off thread / issue reached stage nausea put the Oxford trip down as a zero pointer. Same goes with Rotherham further up the track but you tackle obstacles as you find them.

Would be great to reach 10 League fixtures unbeaten, something that happened here last I don't recall when, but this should or will be, a tough contest. Any chance of a top six finish will be dented with a loss but in no way irretrievable with games remaining.

As an aside noticed today would have been Rob Cook's Birthday. The passing still leaves a void and (take the opportunity to provide thought and) respect to the family.

Oxford United 1 ITFC 0

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by JohnnyB » Thu Mar 17, 2022 3:55 pm

In the last five matches between these sides (450 mins +) there’s been ONE goal.

If any game had 0-0 written all over it, it’s this one.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by JohnnyB » Thu Mar 17, 2022 4:03 pm

It’ll be 5-5 draw now! 🤣🤣

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by marko69 » Thu Mar 17, 2022 4:23 pm

JohnnyB wrote:
Thu Mar 17, 2022 4:03 pm
It’ll be 5-5 draw now! 🤣🤣
Chat in here would be entertaining ……. “Bonne, KNEW you’d come good again you legend and Burgess? Jaysus H, man, you headless chicken!”

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Tangfastic » Thu Mar 17, 2022 5:52 pm

Looks like it’s confirmed that Jackson out for the season, Morsy still not ruled out for this game but…. Simpson now available.

However important this game is….. I wouldn’t risk Morsy.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by MasseyFerguson » Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:42 pm

There are two reasons to be hopeful for this one, I think.

1. They lost 3-2 to Portsmouth recently, so they are defensively vulnerable.

2. They are very attack-minded which, for me, makes them the ideal opposition for the style we play right now.

I have voted for a draw, but my gut tells me we will sneak a 1-2 win.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Charnwood » Thu Mar 17, 2022 11:51 pm

Surely anything other than a win will see our challenge for a play off place pretty much written off even for the optimists amongst us. Win and our chance would still be alive albeit slim, after all only 8 weeks ago Man City had a 13 point lead over Liverpool who are now only one point behind. I know we’re not Liverpool but the teams were competing with aren’t Man City either. Losing Jackson doesn’t help our cause, not sure how Sam Morsy’s fitness stands up either.
This game has a draw written all over it most likely 0-0 but if we can score a goal we could spring a surprise and a real surprise it would be too.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by mendipblue » Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:19 am

saint jude wrote:
Thu Mar 17, 2022 2:30 pm
Voted for them to win. Long before any play off thread / issue reached stage nausea put the Oxford trip down as a zero pointer. Same goes with Rotherham further up the track but you tackle obstacles as you find them.

Would be great to reach 10 League fixtures unbeaten, something that happened here last I don't recall when, but this should or will be, a tough contest. Any chance of a top six finish will be dented with a loss but in no way irretrievable with games remaining.

As an aside noticed today would have been Rob Cook's Birthday. The passing still leaves a void and (take the opportunity to provide thought and) respect to the family.

Oxford United 1 ITFC 0
Speaking of "Nausea" how is the atmosphere on planet Zog and is your inner spider making you feel sickly. 🤮

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by marko69 » Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:21 am

You got a bit of a “dickish” side, Mendip? Whats the script, dude?

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Frosty » Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:17 pm

mendipblue wrote:
Fri Mar 18, 2022 11:19 am
saint jude wrote:
Thu Mar 17, 2022 2:30 pm
Voted for them to win. Long before any play off thread / issue reached stage nausea put the Oxford trip down as a zero pointer. Same goes with Rotherham further up the track but you tackle obstacles as you find them.

Would be great to reach 10 League fixtures unbeaten, something that happened here last I don't recall when, but this should or will be, a tough contest. Any chance of a top six finish will be dented with a loss but in no way irretrievable with games remaining.

As an aside noticed today would have been Rob Cook's Birthday. The passing still leaves a void and (take the opportunity to provide thought and) respect to the family.

Oxford United 1 ITFC 0
Speaking of "Nausea" how is the atmosphere on planet Zog and is your inner spider making you feel sickly. 🤮

Actually Mendipblue I notice you seem to enjoy putting down some long standing posters on here recently.

So if you want to stay posting here I suggest toning it down a bit.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Frosty » Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:26 pm

saint jude wrote:
Thu Mar 17, 2022 2:30 pm
Voted for them to win. Long before any play off thread / issue reached stage nausea put the Oxford trip down as a zero pointer. Same goes with Rotherham further up the track but you tackle obstacles as you find them.

Would be great to reach 10 League fixtures unbeaten, something that happened here last I don't recall when, but this should or will be, a tough contest. Any chance of a top six finish will be dented with a loss but in no way irretrievable with games remaining.

As an aside noticed today would have been Rob Cook's Birthday. The passing still leaves a void and (take the opportunity to provide thought and) respect to the family.

Oxford United 1 ITFC 0

Yeah it came up on my FB feed SJ.

I miss him too, and I agree leaves a void.

Life gone way to soon. RIP mate.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by arana peligrosa » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:16 am

Mark and Dave I appreciate your backing but i'm big (and nasty) enough to fight my own battles. Any new kid coming on and picking fights with forum veterans is, for want of better words, ill advised, but getting beyond the point now of highlighting warnings. Simple this, there's a game tomorrow and a highly pivotal one at that.

People will find fault with others postings, that's the fundamentals of it, but put aside differences at least for now and just focus on the team and little else with it. We, at least most of us, root for the same club name and want what's best for ITFC so best action here, get behind the team for tomorrow and get that victory. Any team or city that has Timmy Mallett as a fan favorite deserves to be beaten. Really hope to do this.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by marko69 » Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:20 am

Pretty sure there are TITS on here who’d have worn itzy bitzy dot bikinis to this game in honour of Mallet, Saint! Shed on Tour can shed some light.

Disclaimer and FTR, for those who maybe dont know, (got to be careful) ——>> TITS : The Ipswich Town Supporters.
NOT saying shed is a TIT. He’s TITF! :D

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Tangfastic » Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:49 am

Just looking at the predictions for the score today- wow, such negativity.

I thought we’ve got one of the best young managers around. One of the best squads in the division. Probably the most expensive squad in the division. Based on the negativity - are we really automatic promotion contenders next season? Lot of good feel around the club at the moment, but If we can’t back ourselves to win a game against a 4th place side then maybe we’ve still got a lot more improvements to make.

You’re all probably right, but I’ll go for a 2-1 win as it’s about time - by the law of averages - we beat a team above us (which isn’t Wycombe)..

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by number 9 » Sat Mar 19, 2022 10:44 am

Tangfastic wrote:
Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:49 am
Just looking at the predictions for the score today- wow, such negativity.

I thought we’ve got one of the best young managers around. One of the best squads in the division. Probably the most expensive squad in the division. Based on the negativity - are we really automatic promotion contenders next season? Lot of good feel around the club at the moment, but If we can’t back ourselves to win a game against a 4th place side then maybe we’ve still got a lot more improvements to make.

You’re all probably right, but I’ll go for a 2-1 win as it’s about time - by the law of averages - we beat a team above us (which isn’t Wycombe)..
We've had trouble scoring with a mostly fully fit squad, and now we have significant injuries. Oxford are a free scoring team, and they're strong at home. I don't think it's negativity. I hope I'm wrong, and we take the 3 points.

As far as next season, yes we still have some building to do. I'm sure KM has a plan.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Bluemike » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:17 pm

The best teams and managers in the world don't win every game, we are 9 unbeaten after all, gonna end some time. I hope we aren't gonna have a pop at KM or the progress made every time we do get beat.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Charnwood » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:21 pm

There only been 1 goal scored in our last 5 meeting with four 0-0 draws which is my prediction for today.

Hopefully we can do better than this and I’m really looking forward to watching the game on ifollow.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Charnwood » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:24 pm

28 Walton
44 Donacien
6 Woolfenden
26 Burgess
7. Burns
12 Bakinson
25 Carroll
22 Thompson
21 Chaplin
43 Celina
9. Pigott

Substitutes
3Penney
10Norwood
18Bonne
23Aluko
31Hladky
47Baggott
55Morsy

Reasonably happy with this line up especially Joe Pigott who’s scored more goals against Oxford than against any other team. That stat should boost his confidence. Plenty of options on the bench.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Bluemike » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:36 pm

As much as I like Bakinson I am concerned about the Midfield without Morsy in there, Carroll just doesn't inspire me and I am not sure he inspires his teammates either. Surely sooner or later Pigott will find the net, he has been really unlucky at times, it could just be his day.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Charnwood » Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:46 pm

If Bakinson and Carroll play like they did in the second half last week then we should be ok. I see Morsy is on the bench but I fear if he comes on his full recovery could take another set back. As always I expect to see Aluko come on as an impact sub and we have both Norwood and Bonne as potential replacements for Pigott if he struggles. Unfortunately we have a greater chance of keeping clean sheets these days than scoring goals which is a complete opposite of how the season started.

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Bluemike » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:11 pm

What the hell was Thompson thinking

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Bluemike » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:14 pm

Pigott slow and weak, nearly let them in

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by hallamblue » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:15 pm

Absolutely sod all holding in the middle for us ..
Piggott looks well off the pace ….whilst Thompson and Bakinson look all at sea frankly 🤷‍♀️


….. Bakinson putting some lovely forward passes in now … that’s much better

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by hallamblue » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:21 pm

Anyone else wish we played Penny instead of Thompson? I’m really not too impressed with the latter .

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Bluemike » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:22 pm

I thought Bakinson has been our best player, Marcus Stewart quite impressed with him. Burns playing well too

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Re: League 1 - Oxford United vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Post by Charnwood » Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:23 pm

Thompson having a bloody nightmare!

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