The OUFC squad

LeftSider

A good left back and an out and out goal scorer to go. If we get those recruited, I think we’ll have a decent season.

JonnyBiscuits

Joe_Citrone I do still think we could do with more naturally left-sided players, though.

Just look at them from the other direction.

JonnyBiscuits

That joke needs more work. I'll get back to you.

Joe_Citrone

Links to Tyler Burey getting stronger.

Alan Nixon reporting that we are 'close' to signing him...although I feel like that has been the state of play for a few weeks now!

A striker who can also play off the left-side - ideal, really. Not sure I am buying the 'attitude problem' narrative just because there was talk that he apparently felt he was good enough to stay in the Championship. Let's see what he can do here before judging.

brinyhoof

Totally agree re: Burey. Why wouldn't he aim for a Championship move at first. He's played what, 50+ matches at that level? Funny how young black players have 'attitude problems' yet white kids not so much. Its almost as if unconscious bias is a thing. Though more likely straight out racism...

JonnyBiscuits

These transfer rumour journos on Twitter like Nixon are essentially just stooges for agents and clubs who feed them lines that help their negotiating position. I think I'm right in saying it was him that fed us the line re: Burey holding out on Oxford because he wanted to play in the Champo. Whoever told him that did so knowing he'd fart it out all over his twitter and patreon accounts - they do that for their own specific benefit and not in the noble pursuit of upholding the public truth.

JonnyBiscuits

So what I basically mean is - for me it doesn't matter if that was what Burey's position on playing L1 football was, but also that we shouldn't believe that's what his position was just because Nixon said so. He usually 'gets it right' re: who is going to what club, but that's because it benefits the club/agents that he's right more often than not... but it doesn't mean you should believe everything he says en route to the correct outcome.

brinyhoof

Is everyone expecting the XI that started on Saturday to be the same at Cambridge? The only position with a question mark possibly RB?

JonnyBiscuits

brinyhoof Seems like a reasonable shout to me. How did Stevens do when he replaced Long vs QPR?

brinyhoof

Looked solid and reliable to me!

JonnyBiscuits

Josh Murphy then. A couple of things Grant Ferguson said about him to us at the kit launch:

Still has a role to play.
Is difficult to motivate.
Unlikely to play for the full 90 minutes very much, if at all.

Clearly very talented - some of his cross-field stuff at Port Vale last season was excellent, and he's earned himself another chance vs Cheltenham, but clearly the club think he has some issues preventing him reaching is potential. I can't remember exactly what he said, but Ferguson intimated that this is a view that has continued under Manning. My view is that the difference here is that Manning seems more likely to find a constructive way of making that work for us, even if it's only sporadically.

TimWalker

JonnyBiscuits difficult to motivate is one I just don’t get. Understand it in an office job, but in football it’s a real head scratcher. I thought we saw evidence of what he could bring in those last couple of games last season. I think if anyone can get him working effectively, it’s Manning

brinyhoof

Really interesting but not sure GF should be giving supporters that much info/opinion!? That said, we had all worked it out and Manning seems to be getting a tune out of him at least.
I wonder if his motivation is affected by his twin brother playing at Premier/Champions League level. That must be pretty tough to get your head round.

JonnyBiscuits

brinyhoof It did strike us as a little odd how much he was discussing, though as you say, he wasn't really telling us a huge amount more than we already knew.

Bspittles

It's also another reminder that players are human and have outside influences that can affect their career. I know some fans expect 100% from every player, every game - but that just isn't possible, at any level of any sport.

brinyhoof

There were two MH professionals working at the club. Does anyone know if they are still on board?

JonnyBiscuits

brinyhoof I think Gary Bloom has left. Not sure under what circumstances though.

brinyhoof

Chatting earlier to someone who lives in Hooky and often sees Tyler around as his girlfriend lives there. Said TG is perfectly happy at Oxford, but wants to play for QPR one day as he supports them apparently. Seems to know that staying with us in L1 is the logical thing to do but who knows what would make his head turn. TG also told him that QPR were as bad as we were good last Saturday. Ainsworth out!

Bspittles

It must be quite strange to play against the club you support. Play better to try and attract their interest? Or try to make sure they don't lose?

(Probably doesn't matter in a friendly!)

JonnyBiscuits

TimWalker Agree with the Manning point. Wildly speculating now, obvs, but maybe he's one of those players who just doesn't enjoy football. I remember Chris Tardif saying he really disliked it, just happened to be good at it. Think there are a couple of high profile sports people who feel like that but I can't remember any off the top of my head.

TimWalker

I have weirdly, and irrationally been fretting through the night about our performance against QPR. There’s something about how we played from the back that reminded me of that time we found out MK under Manning. I think we might ship goals to any team who knows how to effectively hijack that style of play. Hope we have the guile to adapt when needed

JonnyBiscuits

TimWalker Don't worry, I'm here to reassure you (by regurgitating things cleverer people than me have said).

George Elek was saying the team LM inherited at MK Dons forced him into a more intricate style of play, but there's evidence that he's going to be a bit more pragmatic at Oxford (can't remember what he was basing that on though).

I didn't see the game but hopefully QPR being as shit as they were gave us the freedom to play like that, but also we might have other styles up our sleeves.

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