Torquay United vs Oxford Utd 17/08/13

bengull · Post by **bengull** » 17 Aug 2013, 17:49

A disastrous day really, just a few brief thoughts before I consign that to the back of my mind.

Oxford will be the most brutish, ugly, uncompromising, nasty team we face all season but the plain fact is that they stronger and fitter than us all over the pitch. They played a high tempo pressing game high up the pitch, I did not for one minute think that they could sustain it for 90 minutes but indeed they did and it led to an error strewn performance from us.

Coupled with this, they took advantage of the weather conditions in a way that we simply did not, we just could not get to grips with playing into the wind in the second half and too often a long ball forward came straight back at us.

Their keeper looked decidedly dodgy and the fact that we did not test him enough was disappointing, sometimes (especially when its wet) you need to shoot on sight, apart from one impressive save in the first half he did not look like a keeper that would fill me with confidence.

That was one of the most inept officiating displays I have ever witnessed, they seem to get worse season after season. The game was littered with glaring inconsistencies and decisions almost being invented out of thin air. Adjudicating that Rice had carried it behind for a corner (when there is no way he could have seen) set the tone for a completely frustrating and abysmal performance summed up by disallowing a perfectly good Callum Ball free kick for reasons still unknown to the entire ground.

Chappell looked lively when he came on, Hawley and Ball looked like they could cause a lot of problems with proper service, Rice is exempt from criticism. that is where the positives end. A lot of work to be done.

Be interested to know why Knill was off straight down the tunnel at full time without any communication with players, staff or fans, was he waiting for the team, or the referee?

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 17 Aug 2013, 17:53

The only criticism I can give of Rice is picking up that stupid yellow card for punting the ball away.

Another thing that could start to concern me is that we switch off at key times. We switched off at Swindon after the Benyon incident and got punished. We switched off after the free-kick incident today and Constable punished us.

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:03

Console myself with the fact that I saved the best part of fifty quid by missing that load of garbage - been waiting to hear what Knill had to say but typical radio devon - apparently Knill was "interviewed" but the line wasn't good enough to broadcast the interview.
What a joke.

Post by **Colorado Gull** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:09

My first game of the season today and I'm rather disappointed. We were very boring, didn't look like a side who will show any excitement. People around me were saying Ricey is our best player so far. Really? Ridiculous punting the ball at the linesman and a poor effort for Oxford's second goal. The defence were all over the place, Downes (although played ok) hasn't got used to the proper number 5 Brian Saah not by his side. Nicholson is (like last season) way too slow, past his best. Bodin and Cameron weren't impressive either, weren't giving Ball or Hawley any chance. Harding looked clueless. Mansell not at his best, but looked up for it and showed good leadership. Ball didn't give me a good first impression, but he has got some skill and what a great strike that rattled bar after we conceded. Hawley looked good linking with Ball, but didn't have the support. Chappell looked lively when he came on, definitely think he should start next game.

Having said all that, the conditions were poor, Oxford are a dirty and ugly footballing side and the officiating was some of the worst I have ever seen. Useless. Overall, a disappointing day but the season is young, still a long, long way to go yet.

Lloyder5 · Post by **Lloyder5** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:37

I was at the game today and it was not utter garbage, although there were areas of concern. Oxford were a bit more physical but certainly not brutish and uncompromising or world beaters. Their defence was more aggressive and had a better understanding between the two centrebacks and consequently marshalled our front two better. Overall they scored from their opportunities and we didn't. First half was even, apart from the final 10 when we had a bit of pressure but could take the opportunities we created. Their first goal came from a poor piece of communication between Pearce and Downes that led to the corner. Then we hit the bar, had a goal disallowed and their keeper made a fine save. Second goal came and the shape of game changed entirely.

Issues are Downes/Pearce partnership, getting the best out of Ball, Hawley drifting out of the game and getting Poke back into the team.

Oxford are not as good as their fans seemed to think.

Oil Beef Hooked · Post by **Oil Beef Hooked** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:43

Just got back from the game, my initial thoughts are:

-Oxford, they may be top of the league, but won't be for much longer. They were no better than us today. The only difference was they took their chances. We didn't. Simples.

- Just after they went 1 up, we had a fantastic chance to equalise immediately after the restart. However, Ball struck the bar with a thunderbolt. If this goes in, it would have been a different game.

- Why oh why was our goal disallowed? It looked like a perfect free kick to me. Oh wait, Hawley was getting tugged in the wall (ooeeerrrr Matron) and we get penalised for it. Ref again!

- Oxford supporters were in fine voice, however, my estimation of them soon went down the swanny when they started to sing 'Torquay's a shithole, I want to go home'. I mean fu(king cheek. Have they ever been to Cowley?

- The officials, you know the ones wearing Purple. How on earth they are deemed competent to officiate professional football I don't know. One of the worst displays I've seen at Plainmoor and trust me, I've seen a few.

- Hope Nico's OK following the cut to the head he received late in the first half.

-On a more positive note, we are only 3 games in. We will get better, fitter and more confident. Be patient all. Be patient!

Steve

DevonYellow · Post by **DevonYellow** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:43

The ridiculous decision to disallow the goal from the free kick turned the game. If that stood the game goes to one each and the momentum passes to Torquay. Who knows what might have happened then.

Instead Oxford break and put the game to bed. Gutting.

I thought the teams looked evenly matched and the referee got what he wanted...it to all be about him.

Hope the lads can dust themsleves off and move on.

taxilady · Post by **taxilady** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:50

Couldn't see any reason for Callum's good goal to be disallowed; think 2-3 would have been a fairer scoreline. However towards the end of the game,Oxford were much the better side. The ref was shocking; but I was disappointed that Ricey booted the ball away after a bad decision. It must be extremely frustrating to be wrongly penalised by a poorly sighted half wit, but our footballers are supposed to be professionals. I too would have liked to see Sully come on. Oh well, got my Northampton ticket today so ... on we go!! Note to Brucie...please look up the definition of 'supporter' ; allow those who were there, took the time to get there & paid their entrance money to decide if the goods on display are 'garbage' !!!!! COYY

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:54

No quite right Oxford are not that good - trouble is they are way better than us. Defeat I'm afraid was almost inevitable.
The worry isn't this game - its more that we have struggled to make much impression against poor sides like Morecambe and Wimbledon.
The way we played against Wimbledon was a real eye opener - they dominated us and we really fluked a point.
Apparently they were a far improved team from last season blah blah blah but they lost 2-0 at Exeter today.
Exeter had seven players injured and their two midfield players today were Oakley (36 odd who hasn't played for six months and some 18 year old who hasn't played before).
They bought on Sercombe who hasn't played for nine months and he was still injured - yet they still managed to win easily.
This sort of sums up how poor we are really.
Knill and Brass have got a massive task sorting this rabble out.
I don't see that players having 15 matches to gell as a reasonable excuse at all - most teams have new players so we cannot wait that long.
My assessment is that we are nowhere near good enough to compete with teams at the top end of the table - but we need to get better so that we can take points off the strugglers. I don't see any evidence that even this is going to happen at present.

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:55

Down among the dead men. This is a relegation side. It usually takes until the end of September for reality to sink in but the reality is already obvious, I'm afraid. A long and difficult season ahead.
Driving home from the game listening to Radio Devon Sport I was astonished to be told that the interview with Mr. Knill would not be broadcast because of an 'inferior connection' (sic) between the studio and Plainmoor. I didn't believe this.

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 17 Aug 2013, 18:56

I agree with wivelgull

brucie · Post by **brucie** » 17 Aug 2013, 19:00

Yes so was I listening to it - could the actual reason be that Sparkes and Ayres spent so much time fawining over Sheridan and Tisdale that there was no time left to broadcast the Knill interview.
Wivelgull tells it like is though - to be honest I was filled with dread aftere the Wimbledon peformance and nothing that has happened since has changed my opinion.

Oil Beef Hooked · Post by **Oil Beef Hooked** » 17 Aug 2013, 19:01

brucie wrote:I agree with wivelgull

Well fu(k me. There's a first. :slap:

OllieGull · Post by **OllieGull** » 17 Aug 2013, 19:03

How you think we're a relegation side is beyond me, we were on par with Oxford today. The only difference being one of the worst refereeing displays I've seen and luck.

Lloyder5 · Post by **Lloyder5** » 17 Aug 2013, 19:04

brucie wrote:No quite right Oxford are not that good - trouble is they are way better than us. Defeat I'm afraid was almost inevitable.
The worry isn't this game - its more that we have struggled to make much impression against poor sides like Morecambe and Wimbledon.
The way we played against Wimbledon was a real eye opener - they dominated us and we really fluked a point.
Apparently they were a far improved team from last season blah blah blah but they lost 2-0 at Exeter today.
Exeter had seven players injured and their two midfield players today were Oakley (36 odd who hasn't played for six months and some 18 year old who hasn't played before).
They bought on Sercombe who hasn't played for nine months and he was still injured - yet they still managed to win easily.
This sort of sums up how poor we are really.
Knill and Brass have got a massive task sorting this rabble out.
I don't see that players having 15 matches to gell as a reasonable excuse at all - most teams have new players so we cannot wait that long.
My assessment is that we are nowhere near good enough to compete with teams at the top end of the table - but we need to get better so that we can take points off the strugglers. I don't see any evidence that even this is going to happen at present.

You don't see any evidence because you weren't there today

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