After
such a great start we now go into our last match (of six) in September still looking for our first league points this month. This
run of form is atrocious and understandably Chris Wilder's position
has been questioned as a result (see here
and here
for two interesting contributions to the debate). It is in this
climate of unrest that we make our first ever trip to Rotherham's
hilariously-named New York Stadium.
There
is one aim that comes above all else when we welcome Bradford to the
Kassam: to ensure that four doesn't become five. We are on an awful
run of form at the moment, but there were positive signs of recovery
against Cheltenham,
even if the result didn't go our way.
While
United were struggling to defeat at Cheltenham, Oxford City were
again showing them the way with a 2-0 victory over CTFC – Corby
Town. The victory moves City up to the dizzy heights of fourth,
though most of their league rivals now have a game in hand.
Oxford
fell to yet another defeat, this time away at Cheltenham and there
can be no denying that enthusiasm for the club now seems to be at its
lowest point in quite some time. So much so that we were unable to
find anyone willing to write about last night's match for us, so
instead here is the match in Tweets. If you can help us out with
future match reports, just email us at tbfuth@hotmail.co.uk.
After
an excellent first few games, things seem to have fallen apart
slightly in recent weeks. And with confidence and morale reaching a
new low after Saturday's mauling
at the hands of Burton Albion, another tricky away tie in quick
succession is probably the last thing we needed.
Oxford
City continued their excellent start to life in the Conference North
with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Harrogate Town. Harrogate were
two places ahead of City on goal difference going into the match, but
victory in North Yorkshire moved City above their opponents and
leaves them just a point behind the play-off places.
If the men’s team appear to
be faltering, the ladies are currently going from strength to strength. Unbeaten
since the opening day of the season they brought Forest Green’s unbeaten start
to an end with a 1-0 victory on Sunday. Dan Burgess was at
Oxford
travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday on the back of three straight defeats
after a poor display at Burton Albion. Previous defeats at York –
although perhaps undeserved – and to Exeter – probably deserved
depending on who you speak to – were followed up by a mauling in
Staffordshire. Calvin Zola and Jacques Maghoma both scored twice as
United failed to turn up at the Pirelli. It’s hard to write a
lengthy report on a game that left the yellow and blue army feeling
so deflated but one can attempt.
Oxford
hope to get back to winning ways away at Burton, having had a full
week to recover from last
weekend's disappointing result.This week marks the first time
this season that we haven't had to play a midweek match and
unfortunately last week was the wrong time to play Exeter with such a tired,
depleted side that must have been exhausted after a tough run of
games in quick succession.
It
seems it's time for another Oxford United panic with the news that
Jim Rosenthal has resigned from the board with immediate effect.
This, of course, follows the recent departure
of Kelvin Thomas from his role as chairman. The Oxford Mail has
described Rosenthal's resignation as 'a
significant blow', while Yellows
Forum is one step away from declaring a state of emergency
following the news. But what does it really mean for the club?
Despite
the pre-match assurances, we seem to have suffered a post-Swindon
hangover this weekend against a strong Exeter team. Youcef
El-Barhdadi was at the Kassam and wrote us this excellent match
report.
We
may still be recovering from the glory
of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, but Oxford are already back in
league action again with the visit of Exeter City to the Kassam. And
what better way to recover from 90 gruelling minutes against higher
league opposition on Wednesday than a fiercely competitive match
against a side who are one place above us on goal difference?
A
large vocal crowd and a huge atmosphere. Late drama triggering
pandemonium in the stands. Isn't that just the norm for the first
round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy?
The
season may be less than a month old, but already the drama has begun.
We're in the midst of a turbulent week, as United's League Two
campaign hit a bump with defeat
at York this weekend, followed by troubling rumours linking Chris
Wilder with the vacant managerial post at Coventry
City. I'm sure we'll have more to say on that as events unfold,
but speculation over Wilder's future appears to have overshadowed the
latest instalment of the A420 Derby.
“Keep
it tight for the first 10 lads”