Barrow V Oxford predictions

[spirit of 1990]

Regarding the Lacey booking, I've got to admit I never had a brilliant view of it but to me it looked like both players going for a ball and unfortunately for their lad, he came out the worse for it. Like I say, I could be totally wrong seeing it from the HSE.

Quite an entertaining game with both sides going for it until we got the second equaliser, which is when they seemed to look like they were happy with a point. Their second was an odd one to give away as we had a chance to go 2-1 up then the ball was fired straight towards Burnsy who I thought was fouled by their player who if not pushed AB with two hands at least pushed him with one but the ref was having none of that! then we had a chance to clear but the Oxford player somehow managed to get a foot in first - poor goal to give away really.
The game looked as though it was going Oxfords way until the triple substitution, I think sometimes when you sub one player for another it doesn't really affect the oppositions tactics (especially a like-for-like substitution) but three players coming on at once seemed to do the trick and it seemed to catch them out with the next fifteen minutes belonging mainly to Barrow.
I think Ant Wilson is looking likely to get the nod for the next game as he did very well when he came on (similar to last week) Izak Reid & Marcus Carver also looked lively. I thought Taylor put in a decent performance and was probably tested more today than his previous handful of games.

Good solid point against a dangerous team and the advantage is still with us after Chorley helped us out.

Good to see the attendance creeping back up.

[Nigel Bamford]

Regarding the Lacey booking, I've got to admit I never had a brilliant view of it but to me it looked like both players going for a ball and unfortunately for their lad, he came out the worse for it. Like I say, I could be totally wrong seeing it from the HSE.

I can only tell you the view from BBC RC's perspective . They seemed to think a yellow was probably right although had we been away from home with the home crowd on the ref's back he might have walked. They said "...it wasn't as bad as Hulbert's [at Wembley]..." and at least the ref was right there where it happened.

[barrowfan]

Cook not happy at being subbed. Went off and kicked the bench then thumped the seat in the dugout.

[blue nige]

It was right in front of us they both went for the ball and lacey caught him with his elbow but it wasn't intentional (the linesman was right there as well!)

[whitty1969]

Sounds like Taylor is having a mare

Got to disagree with a few on here. A keeper has to command his 6 yard box. I'm not a fan of Taylor, Should of done better for the 1st goal.
The ball went right across him for the second. He stays on his line. Need McMillan back.
We have got away with it the last few games, but today we never. Definitely 2 pts dropped

[ForTheGlory]

The subs were absolutely the right thing at the time, far more movement and tenacity, cooky and walker starterd to look leggy and lacked movement

Cowps is on to a hiding to nothing at LB. He offers nothing going forward and spends the game trying his best to hold his own defensively. Doing his best, but we miss NWA.

Good and fair result, Oxford played some nice stuff and were an entertaining side overall, playing attacking football. As it stands at the top, happy with that.

[Bigfathoss]

It was right in front of us they both went for the ball and lacey caught him with his elbow but it wasn't intentional (the linesman was right there as well!)

I had a good clear view of it as well and it didn't look (to me) like Lacey had any intention of taking anything but the player. Could easily have been a red.

[Colzi]

Cracking game , enjoyed it . Both teams showing willing too create and score and plenty of crunching tackles . When I mean chances i mean last ditch tackles by both teams. Great that Edmo threw the 3 lads on , Reid / Wilson put in shifts and Carver running and trying too create , freshened the game up . A draw was a fair result . Good atmosphere . And as results go it's been a decent day , with Barrow and Fylde drawing. So as it stands it's bluebirds- Fylde played the same , bluebirds still 3 clear , but the key is another game down in the title hunt!

[Colin Appleton]

I noticed Holkerbird was carrying a Harrods carrier bag at the ground today I thought that might be an omen that we would produce a "top quality" performance. We did in patches but mainly after the introduction of our three subs.

Still a long way to go as far as the season is concerned, when we play to our potential we look excellent, it's just a case of finding that level on a consistent basis over the full ninety minutes.

PS Quite sad that somebody should vandalise and steal the pipe work from the toilets on the Grandstand side but hey ho I guess that's the kind of world we live in

[Si_Nichols]

A very entertaining game and well worth making the long trip north for. Both sides attacked with vigour but all four goals, though well taken, were poor from a defensive perspective. Lacey almost certainly should have had a red but the ref had already bottled on several leading elbow challenges from Oxford players in he opening minutes which set the tone as he totally lost control - probably one of the worst refereeing displays in recent seasons but equally awful for both teams. Oxford were a niggly but very useful outfit especially in possession. They had a gameplan and carried it out very well. Not all of it was my cup of tea but credit to them for getting a result which they deserved. I picked out their number 7 as the danger man pre kick-off and I think he was MOTM without a doubt.

Plus points - we showed good character coming from behind twice and Edmo showed bottle with the triple substitution which had the desired effects. Cowps had about the best game I have seen him play making several last ditch interceptions and tackles, Cook took his goal very well and the 3 lads who came on staked a claim for a place in the starting XI.

Minus points - two sloppy goals conceded, Walker way short of where he needs to be and Pilks had a shocker also. Haworth had the worst game I have seen him play but still threatened so will forgive him that. We still gave the ball back too easily at times and we need to learn that if you press it has to be done as a unit and not as individuals as all we did is leave loads of space by being half arsed.

Very "interesting" Oxford fan on train back to Lancaster who I remember from the same trip last year with Sandevil. He seemed very aggrieved that Oxford hadn't won, that we had a bunch of cheats and also kept going on about the injustice of the game at Oxford at first not realising that all of our group had actually been there. He also seemed to have a fixation on tomatoes. Very bizarre indeed.

Anyway good day out and good to see everyone including those I don't see at away games. Even managed a quick chat with Mr Casson. Looking forward to Worcester/Kiddy next Saturday. Let's hope hey beat Fylde on Tuesday first but chill out against us.

[boyliegladbach]

A very entertaining game and well worth making the long trip north for. Both sides attacked with vigour but all four goals, though well taken, were poor from a defensive perspective. Lacey almost certainly should have had a red but the ref had already bottled on several leading elbow challenges from Oxford players in he opening minutes which set the tone as he totally lost control - probably one of the worst refereeing displays in recent seasons but equally awful for both teams. Oxford were a niggly but very useful outfit especially in possession. They had a gameplan and carried it out very well. Not all of it was my cup of tea but credit to them for getting a result which they deserved. I picked out their number 7 as the danger man pre kick-off and I think he was MOTM without a doubt.

Plus points - we showed good character coming from behind twice and Edmo showed bottle with the triple substitution which had the desired effects. Cowps had about the best game I have seen him play making several last ditch interceptions and tackles, Cook took his goal very well and the 3 lads who came on staked a claim for a place in the starting XI.

Minus points - two sloppy goals conceded, Walker way short of where he needs to be and Pilks had a shocker also. Haworth had the worst game I have seen him play but still threatened so will forgive him that. We still gave the ball back too easily at times and we need to learn that if you press it has to be done as a unit and not as individuals as all we did is leave loads of space by being half arsed.

Very "interesting" Oxford fan on train back to Lancaster who I remember from the same trip last year with Sandevil. He seemed very aggrieved that Oxford hadn't won, that we had a bunch of cheats and also kept going on about the injustice of the game at Oxford at first not realising that all of our group had actually been there. He also seemed to have a fixation on tomatoes. Very bizarre indeed.

Anyway good day out and good to see everyone including those I don't see at away games. Even managed a quick chat with Mr Casson. Looking forward to Worcester/Kiddy next Saturday. Let's hope hey beat Fylde on Tuesday first but chill out against us.

Good assessment of game that nige, that interesting Oxford fan is a good mate of coltys called scunner if he had a neck brace on.

[Si_Nichols]

Haha, cheers Al. I got my adviser in Hammersmith to relay his thoughts so I could give you my write up even though he wasn't there

And yes it was the very same Oxford fan (not sure they had many there though so I guess it had to be him)

See you next week

[Chris Benoit]

I seen boyliegladbach and the said Oxford fan exchanging numbers when we were down there. I think they're in regular contact these days.

[Wintergreen]

I think we need McWilliams back in at full back; I hate to criticise Cowps but he is playing out of position and it really does show.

[JimmyCrabstick]

I thought Taylor had a good game yesterday. He didn't do much wrong and wasn't at fault for either of thier goals. Both times looked like poor defending to me especially the first which was a free header.
Wilson should surely start against Worcester, he looked a real handful when he came on. I reckon Cook and Wilson can cause some real havoc with some time together.