Official Match Thread Oxford v Southend United

[Stourport Shrimper]

Goalkeeper definitely out of order here. This is only a situation because of Smith's reaction. If he had shaken Bentleys hand and wished him well this would not be an issue. Hopefully Smith will apologise, if not would not surprise me to see Bentley in Goal for us on Saturday.

 

[sufc_dave]

Great result. Well done, sure the neutrals enjoyed it. Was a tad nervous myself.

Smith can do one, storming down the tunnel. Didn't really agree with the sub, but he should have stayed and cheered the team on. In the end it worked out with Bentley's save!

 

[Jai]

Real mind games there by Sturrock. As soon as Bentley came on it would have put a thought into Oxford players heads that he was a penalty specialists. Penalties is 90 per cent nerve. Ballsy but it paid off.

Feel sorry for Smith, although he shouldn't have reacted like that and he will know it now. He's a professional and he let himself down, and gave an opportunity for his bashers to have a real go - they will be delighted. Of course, when Mohsni did it, it was fine.

 

[Sam Jackson]

Bentley. I love that man, that is all.

 

[Jam_Man]

Very lucky Sturrock....If i was Smith i'd stick up two fingers and then let everyone see what a very average keeper Bentley really is!

Same Bentley who has won us 2 penalty shoot outs.

Smith may be the better keeper but you can argue with Bentley'ss penalty record.

 

[Neil 24]

well done boys. well done Benyon. well done Bentley. hope smith takes it the right way he a pro and im sure he will.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

Very lucky Sturrock....If i was Smith i'd stick up two fingers and then let everyone see what a very average keeper Bentley really is!

Loved to have seen your comments, had we lost!

 

[wiggy]

Tactical brilliance as it paid off. Wiggy won't like it.

......i don't like his tactics no, win a penalty competition and then ruin your no 1 forever, yeah good move. Watch this space.....Smith will be worse than ever and Bentley is about Braintree standard!

 

[leeblue]

Very lucky Sturrock....If i was Smith i'd stick up two fingers and then let everyone see what a very average keeper Bentley really is!

Surely the point is Bentley is good at stopping penalties so this is why he made the change, no ones stating bentley is better just good at saving penalties

 

[McNasty]

I couldn't listen to the penalties in case heart gave out and that would have left Cricko to do it all.

 

[chapperzUK]

Anyone know the dates of the area finals?. With another 'big freeze ' looming, we dont want a fixture congestion, with 2-3 extra games to add to the calendar?.
Reckon Smith will be destroyed by this, despite us being victorious.

Week commencing 4th and 25th February. I reckon Smith will understand once Sturrock tells him whats what!

 

[Bratislava Blue]

I've just about calmed down after that bizarre sequence of events. I feel sorry for Paul Smith but Sturrock will need all his managers experience to sort this out. How will Smith feel in the dressing room amid all the celebrations????

An interesting scene I presume...:winking:

 

[Baskerville194]

I think Bently is maturing and if given a run in the team would do well

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

How/when do we find out if we are home for the first leg or away?

Supposed to be a secret draw I believe.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

I've just about calmed down after that bizarre sequence of events. I feel sorry for Paul Smith but Sturrock will need all his managers experience to sort this out. How will Smith feel in the dressing room amid all the celebrations????

An interesting scene I presume...:winking:

Why would Smith need to calm down. Sturrock made a tactical sub like any manager would do , this just happened to be the keeper, one of the 11 players on the pitch.

Why is a keeper so different?

 

[sufclee]

Week commencing 4th and 25th February. I reckon Smith will understand once Sturrock tells him whats what!

Football league website states 4th and 18th Feb.

 

[leeblue]

Before the last round, Bentley said that he's not usually very good with penalties.

Either way that was a ballsy call from Paul Sturrock. Very, very ballsy.

Its a guess at best, surely PS must have seen something to produce such a crazy sub

 

[Jam_Man]

......i don't like his tactics no, win a penalty competition and then ruin your no 1 forever, yeah good move. Watch this space.....Smith will be worse than ever and Bentley is about Braintree standard!

We won and are one round away from Wembley.

Chin up.:smile:

 

[leeblue]

Football league website states 4th and 18th Feb.

Mondays ???

 

[eastling]

Real mind games there by Sturrock. As soon as Bentley came on it would have put a thought into Oxford players heads that he was a penalty specialists. Penalties is 90 per cent nerve. Ballsy but it paid off.

Feel sorry for Smith, although he shouldn't have reacted like that and he will know it now. He's a professional and he let himself down, and gave an opportunity for his bashers to have a real go - they will be delighted. Of course, when Mohsni did it, it was fine.

Couldn't agree more..