Official Match Thread Oxford v Southend United

[Jai]

Wiggy, you genuinely sound disappointed we have won. Cheer up.

 

[Jam_Man]

Spot on......this lot only look at the result......wet em self when he gets lucky and slag him off when it goes pear shaped!

Well its better than slagging him off when we win and when we lose I guess....

 

[philtalkin]

I've soiled my pants.

My Missus sells hers on eBay. Give it a try, you never know...

 

[Crabby Shrimper]

It's not just for Bentley and Smith to sort out is it. Smith stormed off and disassociated himself from the team. That will take a bit of heaing

You really hate Smith don't you?

It was probably a heat of the moment situation. Keepers are no different to any other player, as you mentioned, BUT they're rarely subbed. This would mean that in Smith's mind it was a snub at him, and a public humiliation. When he realises that it was (I'd assume) a mind game by Sturrock to put off Oxford, then I'm sure it'll all be fine again.

It may well be that Sturrock considered Bentley better at penalties. If so, then that'll probably hurt Smith a bit, but assuming he's still No1, and picked for the next game, then he'll get over it. As for his disrespecting the team/club? I'm sure they'll understand under the circumstances

 

[Brett Angle]

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:

That's Smith's problem not Sturrock's. I should think he feels pretty silly.

Frankly I've seen enough of Smith to suggest that Sturrock might like to use this display of petulance as an excuse to move him on.

 

[Jam_Man]

You really hate Smith don't you?

It was probably a heat of the moment situation. Keepers are no different to any other player, as you mentioned, BUT they're rarely subbed. This would mean that in Smith's mind it was a snub at him, and a public humiliation. When he realises that it was (I'd assume) a mind game by Sturrock to put off Oxford, then I'm sure it'll all be fine again.

It may well be that Sturrock considered Bentley better at penalties. If so, then that'll probably hurt Smith a bit, but assuming he's still No1, and picked for the next game, then he'll get over it. As for his disrespecting the team/club? I'm sure they'll understand under the circumstances

Totally agree and whilst its unusual there is some logic to it. Smith is the better keeper and Bentley has already won a shootout. Sturrock clearly thought Bentley would do a job in the shootout and he has history to base that on.

Understand Smith being annoyed, especially as its such an unusual sitution, but the bottom line is the result, and it worked.

Im sure it will be discussed and Smith will start as normal next game.

People saying they wont applaud Sturrock for getting us into the next round need to get a bit of perspective.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

You really hate Smith don't you?

It was probably a heat of the moment situation. Keepers are no different to any other player, as you mentioned, BUT they're rarely subbed. This would mean that in Smith's mind it was a snub at him, and a public humiliation. When he realises that it was (I'd assume) a mind game by Sturrock to put off Oxford, then I'm sure it'll all be fine again.

It may well be that Sturrock considered Bentley better at penalties. If so, then that'll probably hurt Smith a bit, but assuming he's still No1, and picked for the next game, then he'll get over it. As for his disrespecting the team/club? I'm sure they'll understand under the circumstances

No I don't hate Smith, there is nothing I have said tonight that even anywhere near alludes to any dislike of Smith. If any player would have stormed off down the tunnel rather than being part of and supporting the team during a penalty shoot out, I would have the same view.

 

[Eastwood23]

I don't see why anyone would feel sorry for Smith. Sturrock is the manager and you should respect the manager's decisions. Not everyone agrees with them all the time but everyone has to show the manager respect. When strikers get taken off and they have already scored one or two goals do they all throw their toys out their pram? no. Because they know it's for the good of the team and its not all about them. It's not even like he was playing well. He had already conceded 3 goals! No matter what substitution it is, the players should accept it and deal with it professionally - no matter what position you play. Smith has disrespected the club and manager and if someone like Balotelli had done that, there would be press all over it. Smith should be dealt with internally and due to his petulance and complete lack of faith in the manager, should be ultimately dropped.

 

[philtalkin]

Spot on......this lot only look at the result......wet em self when he gets lucky and slag him off when it goes pear shaped!

It's already going pear shaped though, isn't it? We haven't won in 4 games. Conceded 8 goals. That's relegation form!

 

[davewebbsbrain]

I don't see why anyone would feel sorry for Smith. Sturrock is the manager and you should respect the manager's decisions. Not everyone agrees with them all the time but everyone has to show the manager respect. When strikers get taken off and they have already scored one or two goals do they all throw their toys out their pram? no. Because they know it's for the good of the team and its not all about them. It's not even like he was playing well. He had already conceded 3 goals! No matter what substitution it is, the players should accept it and deal with it professionally - no matter what position you play. Smith has disrespected the club and manager and if someone like Balotelli had done that, there would be press all over it. Smith should be dealt with internally and due to his petulance and complete lack of faith in the manager, should be ultimately dropped.

You can't say that. Crabby Shrimper will come down on you like a ton of bricks

 

[Neil 24]

smith should have shook Bentley hand that was wrong but can understand his frustration im sure smith will say sorry aend everyone will m ove on

 

[dingleydangley]

Sturrock or Coughlan may have seen Smith struggling with an injury. Smith may have said something (good or bad) to Bentley and the bench on the way off (the tunnel is on the other side of the ground to the away fans). It may have been past his bedtime. As usual, we don't bloody know and we're second-guessing those who were there.

For the record, I'm uneasy with it, and suspect that it may be a snub to Smith. Who am I, though?

 

[philtalkin]

You really hate Smith don't you?

It was probably a heat of the moment situation. Keepers are no different to any other player, as you mentioned, BUT they're rarely subbed. This would mean that in Smith's mind it was a snub at him, and a public humiliation. When he realises that it was (I'd assume) a mind game by Sturrock to put off Oxford, then I'm sure it'll all be fine again.

It may well be that Sturrock considered Bentley better at penalties. If so, then that'll probably hurt Smith a bit, but assuming he's still No1, and picked for the next game, then he'll get over it. As for his disrespecting the team/club? I'm sure they'll understand under the circumstances

I wonder why he didn't mention it to Smith before the game?

Perhaps he did and Smith storming off was pre planned - more mind games. Maybe it was all a ruse?

Oh I don't know anymore, maybe it was all a dream....

 

[eastling]

This would mean that in Smith's mind it was a snub at him, and a public humiliation.

And that's the bit that makes the decision by PS all the more ballsy - to risk your GK being humiliated by a home support after conceding a late equaliser by subbing him (so no chance to redeem himself - in this case a pen shootout). Outfield players won't be subject to such humiliation as they are often subbed rather than keepers.

I'm guessing by Smith's reaction to being subbed that Luggy didn't tell the team he would do this in the event of a Pen Shootout. I'm hoping it will all die down. At the end of the day Luggy is the boss. But whether Smith will ever trust him again??

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Well the equivalent would be bringing a striker on in the 88th minute (or whatever minute Smith went off) to take a penalty in an imminent shootout.

That certainly wouldnt be unusual if it were to happen, not half as unusual as bringing a keeper on though.

That isn't at all the equivalent as an outfield player would be fatigued from running up and down, which could be a legitimate reason to be subbed. It could be tactical. You aren't fingering an outfield player for public humiliation when you sub them as it's a regular occurrence.

A keeper being subbed when not injured though is so rare that I can only think of two examples (Kladjic and Prudhoe). And even in the second example the manager had the courtesy to spare the individual from the humiliation by making the sub at half-time.

You are humiliating him in front of thousands and it's appalling man-management. Sturrock owes an apology to Smith as much as Smith owes one to Bentley.

 

[Another Surrey Shrimper]

defo mixed messages on the dates - w/c 4th is agreed but then w/c 18th or 25th? 18th would make more sense as a 3 week gap sounds too long and there are league matches on 26th which you'd expect them to avoid a clash.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

That isn't at all the equivalent as an outfield player would be fatigued from running up and down, which could be a legitimate reason to be subbed. It could be tactical. You aren't fingering an outfield player for public humiliation when you sub them as it's a regular occurrence.

A keeper being subbed when not injured though is so rare that I can only think of two examples (Kladjic and Prudhoe). And even in the second example the manager had the courtesy to spare the individual from the humiliation by making the sub at half-time.

You are humiliating him in front of thousands and it's appalling man-management. Sturrock owes an apology to Smith as much as Smith owes one to Bentley.

Perhaps he was fatigued from picking the ball out of the net (it's just a bit of tom foolery on my part Crabby Shrimper)

 

[tonie]

truth is ps made a big call to sub a kepper but look we won, i think ps has idea bentlley young no neaves take a chance,but for smith not to shake hands is bad it is a team game as has been said before, for that i would keep bentley in the side

 

[united we stand]

That isn't at all the equivalent as an outfield player would be fatigued from running up and down, which could be a legitimate reason to be subbed. It could be tactical. You aren't fingering an outfield player for public humiliation when you sub them as it's a regular occurrence.

A keeper being subbed when not injured though is so rare that I can only think of two examples (Kladjic and Prudhoe). And even in the second example the manager had the courtesy to spare the individual from the humiliation by making the sub at half-time.

You are humiliating him in front of thousands and it's appalling man-management. Sturrock owes an apology to Smith as much as Smith owes one to Bentley.

I would be very surprised if Sturrock has not already apologised.

Smith will start the next game and then hopefully everyone will see this for exactly what it was , a decision based on a set of 'unique circumstances*(having a Keeper on the bench who 'won' the last penalty shootout)' that paid off.

If Smiths confidence hits rock bottom and he plays crap and Dan takes over and is no better then we can all look back with hindsight and say Sturrock got it wrong- and it cost us promotion.
If Smith comes back and plays just as well, or if he is poor but Bentley gets his chance and is great then it was a success.

Only time will tell

I would have liked to have seen Smith stay on, but TBH if I can could go back in time and keep Smith on and re run the penalties again there is no way I would do it

 

[wiggy]

That isn't at all the equivalent as an outfield player would be fatigued from running up and down, which could be a legitimate reason to be subbed. It could be tactical. You aren't fingering an outfield player for public humiliation when you sub them as it's a regular occurrence.

A keeper being subbed when not injured though is so rare that I can only think of two examples (Kladjic and Prudhoe). And even in the second example the manager had the courtesy to spare the individual from the humiliation by making the sub at half-time.

You are humiliating him in front of thousands and it's appalling man-management. Sturrock owes an apology to Smith as much as Smith owes one to Bentley.

For once i agree with Yorkshire..... this was the ultimate humiliation for a keeper......worse than when Caplelton replaced Prudhoe at half time. Sturrock should be left with two choices of keeper on Saturday Bentley and Chambers, see how that works for the great messiah!