FL2: Oxford Utd v Torquay Utd 10 Nov 12

That’s about 4 times I’ve left the Kassam with plenty to think about.
It was a real battle for our lads against a stronger, more solid and experienced team than ourselves but somehow we came away with a point. Felt we kept Constable and Craddock quiet most of the game.
Just a few thoughts:
1/ The pitch (I know was the same for both teams) appears to be more like a ploughed field since the introduction of “egg chasers” playing quite regularly.
2/ Some impressive performances today but still feel some of the old heads (Mans, Nico, Saah etc) could be doing a bit more.
3/Thought the supporters stayed very positive---nothing like some ludicrous posts I read last week.
4/Lovely to see Helen Chamberlain again……arrived about 10 past 3 and left straight after to her car which was parked right outside the away exit.
5/ From that lovely view in the away seats could see the home fans going home from about 4.40---what’s all that about when the game is not settled?

Anyway ---still nicely placed but just wonder where the goals will come from. COYY

. A point in Oxford is a good result, especially in the circumstances, although I must admit I was expecting our usual inconsistency bounce - winning and losing when no one expects it

If you want positive thoughts, I've got plenty. I'll put my name down on the list of those glad Ricey got his chance today. A genuine good guy who could easily have chosen to stay at Truro for football (though he might have found himself superseded by a certain ex-con come November 2012) but accepted the offer of coming back to sit on the bench for not an awful lot of money. In fairness, I think all our players and staff are good blokes, and that's certainly something I wouldn't criticise them for, which is more than can be said about certain other clubs in the division who may or may not have lost 5-0 to Dagenham today (teehee)

Also I would add that Jarvis' last start was against Yeovil where we had no trouble scoring so I don't necessarily think he's the problem. You can look at that in two ways - either you can take the positive route and say that suggests Jarvis isn't that bad (and I don't think he is a bad player - he's just no Rene, which in most circumstances isn't a problem, but it just so happens that he's not someone who can make an impact off the bench or a natural replacement for Rene as lone front man; he was useful last season because we had him, Rene AND Atieno, whereas now we have Yeoman who I agree looks more of a Benefield than a Sharpe), or you can take the negative route and say that we're in a bit of a sticky situation regarding scoring goals at the moment

But we will eventually score, and we will keep more clean sheets. We've just got to make sure that they coincide a few times. Lately we haven't looked like doing so. Last year I wasn't so bothered by us grinding out 1-0 wins - the Swindon home game was fantastic last season - but I think there's a subtle difference this year

With this being such a terrible division at the moment, it is definitely within our own hands to mount a promotion push, and that is definitely a positive we can take from this first 3 months. The players we have now are capable. But as someone (can't remember who) said recently, this is a key moment for testing the club's ambition - do we actually want to get promoted or are we happy treading water, for now at least? As was the case last year, this will be the last chance for 2 or 3 of our players to get promoted at Torquay, because it's looking increasingly likely that they won't be around next season for one reason or another, and then you're relying on more rabbits and more hats for the following season - and it would suddenly look like we were permanently in transition, like a slightly more defensively secure Arsenal

It's a horrible cliché that usually makes no sense at all, but, to a certain extent, promotion from League Two will come down to who wants it more this season

No posts have been deleted from this thread, but some have been moved to a new thread in the popside as they had nothing to do with the game we played yesterday.

I think we would have all taken a point before kick-off if it been offered to us, the team was down to the barebones and we were missing our leading goal scorer. I only caught a little of what Dave Thomas thought of the game while driving home in my car. It sounded like we were not at the races to much in the first half, but played much better in the second half.

Like everyone else I’m so pleased Martin Rice had a good game and he has had to wait such a long time to get his chance and he most certainly took it. Dave Thomas went on about one ball he pushed away for a corner and then added that he saw the ball coming from a long way ago. But he said that in his view Martin was just playing safe and making sure he did not end up just knocking the ball down for any Oxford player to get on the end off.

I’m sure I was not alone when I heard that Poke had to go off and Rice was taking his place, but I was wrong to have any fears that he would not be up for the job. So a big well done Martin Rice and what better way to play your first first team game for such a long time, by keeping a clean sheet.

The lack of many goal attempts maybe was the only down side to what on the whole must have been a reasonable performance and we are back to that old question, do we need to try and bring in a loan striker. Its goals that win games and we do seem a bit short of them lately

So, my run continues of very poor performances for the away games I've been to. Saturday was on a par with Rotherham and Wycombe. I don't think its me however, just the practical way Lingy approaches away games.It is rather dull viewing but were were as competitive as a poor Oxford team who could have nicked it but for a decent Ricey display.
Jarvis wasnt up to it but neither is he up to playing as the lone striker. Thought we looked more threatening late on with the introduction of some fresh and quick legs but all in all happy with a point. So, early November and we're halfway to the magical points figure, could do better but it could be worse.

Next stop on the poor performance road trip for me will be Aldershot. The last two games here have been appalling so 3rd time lucky for an entertainer.

A very good read, JamesB! I for one enjoy reading your posts on this forum as you have strong opinions and it livens up this forum. We have not got Merse to do that anymore! Similiar to Merse you get a reaction from other posters, not all of them complimentary. But it's very good reading and well written.

As for your points, I think since the Bosman ruling clubs are forced to sell their best players or risk them leaving for nothing. Players come and go and they have the upperhand over the clubs. It happens even to the top teams like Van Persie at Arsenal. We tend therefore to lose our best players each season and I suspect Howe will be next. At least the club and Ling has the foresight to bring through more promising youngsters like Craig and Thompson. But the reality is that our club has to continually re-build.

As for Torquay not being the 8th. best team this season. If I'm honest, apart from exceptions like against Plymouth, I did not think for much of last season we were overly impressive but we found the habit of grinding out 1-0 wins without playing terribly well. It seems to be something that Ling is very good at - grinding out results when not playing particularly well. I'm not complaining too much as considering Ling's budget he's done a remarkable job.

I think you'll find we're not splashing out on loan players because the club has prioritised on the Bristow Bench and improving its training facilities. They're looking long term and quite rightly so!

Thanks for your comments Swangull, all duly noted