It was always going to be difficult for us with the players we had out. Automatics well and truly out of the window and play-off hopes sinking as each game goes by. 6 points in 9 games and somehow still 4th, feels like we’re heading to a late-season heartbreak unless we can find some magic spray.
Oxford looked sub-standard in defence but we didn’t really test them enough. Oxford won the game in midfield, wanted the ball more and were able to pass to their own teammates. Something we weren’t capable of, particularly in the last 40 minutes and resulted in the winning goal. We looked fragile with Bridcutt on the pitch and things went from bad to worse when he left. They won most 2nd balls and aerial battle, bit men against boys at times.
Despite it being nowhere close to our starting 11, you’d expect more fight and passing ability in the players we had available. For too many hopeful long balls to players who had little hope of keeping the ball. Second half we completely lost our way and drifted to inevitable defeat, we got exactly what we deserved. It’s frustrating because you know these players can pass, see our first goal, but never really appeared to attempt to put together a similar move. Moreover, we completely shot ourselves in the foot, we could have still got something had we not given away such a sloppy goal.
Today really demonstrated how much we miss Hopper up top. His ability to control the ball, hold up play and find a simple pass. It’s at the heart of our style. That link just wasn’t there. I like Scully, but he’s not capable of playing the up top role.
It’s a really frustrating season, In the first half, we look like champions-elect. Since February our squad has been decimated by injuries and, unlike the bigger teams, we don’t have the available players to fill in the hole. Sadly players look beaten when we concede. It’s difficult to see where a win might come from.
Writer: imps_joe
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Since February Our Squad Has Been Decimated By Injuries:https://t.co/PKWvfRjJL1#OUFC #ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) March 26, 2021
