Interesting take on Russell...

From an Oxford fan
"I think I'll put that one down to the weather. Poor game, poor attendance and poor atmosphere. On the plus side it was easy to get a sausage roll at half time. We really did struggle to create anything much, and I thought we were physically bullied for a lot of the game, Goodrham especially. Their #3 defensive midfield was big, strong and mobile, seemed to be everywhere. Would love to have a player like that.

When McEachran came on we switched from a double to a single pivot and it seemed to work much better with Brannigan further forward. Makes me wonder if we should do that from the start of games from time to time. You really have to trust your defensive midfielder though, needs to be someone like their #3.

Agree with one of the comments above that with Bennett and Stevens as your wide players you're going to struggle to create much from those channels, it leaves us fairly limited. I thought Leigh did pretty well when he came on, hopefully a sign of things to come.

I thought they managed the game pretty well, good team."

 

It was definitely one of his better games for us. As I said in the match day thread, his close contact ball control is brilliant, particularly so last night. He just looks like he's running in cement sometimes.

 

Agree with above.

I think we all know his weaknesses but he played really well last night. If only that effort on goal went in to cap it off.

 

Not his biggest fan but he was excellent last night

 

When Russell does the simple things he's fine when he tries to complicate things or play out that's when problems usually start

 

I am his biggest fan and would love to see kane and Connell either side of him.
That would be a quality midfield 3 with Philips and Mcatee capable options as dropping in if substitutions or changes need to be made.

 

I’d say he’s our most talented player. Unfortunately talent isn’t always enough. Great performance last night though.

 

#3 big and strong but mobile, the game was messy and it suited him and I agree he did have his best game for us but mobile not in a million years.

 

You really think Phillips needs to be dropped after his recent form?

 

id like to see hi at CH. We would have a big back line with him and Pines. MDG has been ok but dont feel he has the physical presence. Maybe a straight swap of positions - he's done well bursting forward into that position and setting up a pass.

 

Our back 3 lacks pace already, replacing Williams with Russell is a bit like when Mclaren switched to Honda engines in the F1.

 

Christ no! Dwells on the ball far too much mate. Definitely not for me. Doesnt always track back. When hes bet for pace a lot the times he will just jog back. Him at centre half terrifies me! Hopefully he remains in this decent form.

 

They can have him

 

He played really well. I hope Connell is back next game, but it was a great performance. Given Oxford's direct approach in the second half he was probably more cut out than Connell for that type of game. His distribution was excellent & covered the back 3 well.

Let's give our players a bit of credit when they play well, even if you personally don't rate them FFS.

 

Russell was sensational last night & a clear MoTM for me.
Comments about him being slow don't seem to take account of his stride length, which was put to excellent effect in defensive duties.
Compared to Herbie Kane, he's lightning quick & here's some expert opinion on why that's the case.

 

Happy for Phillips to start would just be interested to see how Kane Russell and Connell would do together. With Connells delivery in to the box with Russell playing simple balls in to him and Kane a bit further forward may work well.
Phillips has done really well recently, I like him.

 

Phillips one of the 1st names on team sheet for me. At the start if the season he was suspended then styles was been picked over him in center midfield. No coincidence since he got back in the team he has started to influence games with goals and assists like last season.

 

I agree mate. He wasn't great when he started getting his place back, but recently he's been brilliant.

 

What a difference a week or so makes lol.
Told thi tha wasn't on thi own Bazza