Official Match Thread Oxford v Southend United

[Crabby Shrimper]

That is a very good point. Knowing that could have put Smith in the wrong mindset

Bloody hell, I actually agree with you!

From a personnel management perspective Smith should've been told. From a footballing perspective there's no way he could've been. I'd imagine that Sturrock will apologise to smith for not telling him, remind him it's all about the team, and move on.

Sometimes as a manager you have to make a slightly wrong decision in some respects to make a correct one

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Lets face it who knows whether it was a master plan or not. Smith may have saved 1,2 or none. Bentley only got near one and he saved it, some would say its luck. Their keeper could or should have saved at least two of ours and then we would be having a completely different discussions. Ultimately we got through and that's what matters. Oxford are unbeaten in 11 so it was always going tough and really it should never have gone to pens. My concern is that we seem to be conceding some very sloppy goals at the moment.

Whilst, understandably, most of the discussion this morning concerns the controversial goalkeeping change, our recent defensive frailties have received little mention. From what I heard, I can imagine Luggy will be less than happy about the first two goals we conceded last night and absolutely furious about their third. This Smith/Bentley debate shouldn't be taking place if we hadn't have been so static from that corner.

 

[stickyboy]

on the first goal we shouldnt have allowed the cross, Smith should have held the backpass header, just seen the highlights again and as i thought at the game Smith should have held it, Cresswell gave him a bollicking at time for that error

 

[Neil 24]

some crackin sensible posts on here today really some to read. old news now everyone will have put it to bed now. peace.

 

[Willie Coulson's Red Cheeks]

We'll see how Sturrock handles it.

Hopefully he'll apologise to Smith, reassure him that he's still his no.1 and will be between the sticks on Saturday and will be when we get to Wembley, and tell him it was because Oxford had just equalised and the momentum was with them and he wanted to play with Oxford's minds and wasn't at all a reflection on his ability.

Alternatively he could have a go at Smith for not shaking Bentley's hand, in which case Smith's a dead-man walking at Roots Hall.

I've worked in some pretty cut-throat environments and when a colleague is shafted like that by management, even if it can be justified on the cold hard facts it doesn't do much for morale for the other team members when management is so ruthless like that.

That was Tilly's great strength. He was a player's manager as he'd have never made a move like that. The players knew they could trust him.

While I sympathise with your sentiments, I can't agree. It is up to the boss to make decisions which are best for the company / football club. This will normally involve keeping the employees happy and "on board" but we all know that sometimes tough decisions have to be made which may prove hurtful to one employee but which are best for the company overall. Sometimes, for example, redundancies are necessary in order to ensure the viability / success of the company.

I have no strong views on Bentley / Smith but Sturrock is paid to make decisions, sometimes difficult ones. He made one last night in all good faith - not to "humiliate" Smith but to give his team the best chance of winning. Some may disagree with the decision but all can agree, surely, that it was made with the best of intentions. I hope Smith has woken up this morning and realises that on reflection.

Sturrock might owe Smith an explanation but not an apology. Smith, however, certainly owes young Daniel Bentley one.

 

[stickyboy]

Sturrock might owe Smith an explanation but not an apology. Smith, however, certainly owes young Daniel Bentley one.

Good Point.

May i also say well done to Daniel Bentley - who played down his role at the end. He said "I'm no hero Paul (Smith) was excellent tonite for 91 minutes and i'm just delighted to have helped the team progress"

for a young man handled the situation very well and diplomatically, maybe Mr.Smith could learn a few lessons from him

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Brilliant result for the Blues last night, bring on Orient.

Can't help but feel the whole Paul Smith situation is being blown completely out of proportion.

Well done to the whole team, now get us to Wembley! :clap:

 

[londonblue]

Let's hope we don't go to pens then :stunned:

Why's that?

 

[daveydiamond]

Just reading this thread with my lunch. Can I check - we did actually win didn't we, or did the BBC and Sky report the wrong scoreline? Hey ho - I guess some Bradford fans are equally as disappointed at being one game away from Wembley!!

 

[fbm]

Lots of interesting views on Smith. It could have really backfired on PS because with 2 mins left, Bentley hasn't got the feel of the game and could have made a complete howler, giving Oxford a 4-3 victory.

As for Smith being distracted if he knew he was going to be subbed, I initially thought that but dismissed it because a) he's professional and will play at Wembley in the final if we get through and b) he may have had that extra determination to do it without penalties. I doubt it would have had an adverse effect.