Oxford United (H) Jan 13th, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

"And that sweet city with her dreaming spires"

(Matthew Arnold)

A mixed bunch of Saddlers' supporters (inside the ground, outside the ground, armchair bound) will welcome Headington United on Saturday in a game vital to our bid to escape the clutches of the League One relegation zone. Spanish manager 'Pep' Clotet, appointed in July 2017, has guided them to the fringes of the play-off zone despite the occasional result that must have had fans tearing their hair out (see below). There is an outside chance that their players' minds will be preoccupied with Wembley, as they made it through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Trophy this week by putting out Charlton Athletic on penalties - or am I grasping at straws at this point? Current League One form for Oxford United:-

16 Dec Rochdale (A) Drew 0-0
23 Dec Wigan Athletic (H) Lost 0-7 :shock:
26 Dec Gillingham (A) Drew 1-1
30 Dec Bradford City (A) Lost 3-2
1 Jan M K Dons (H) Won 3-1
6 Jan Blackpool (H) Won 1-0

Jon Whitney's options may be affected by January window signings (any, many, or none) as he looks to improve our recent dismal record. The certainties are that our leaky defence could have a slightly stronger look than of late, with James Wilson hopefully back following the addition in his family, and George Dobson (if fit) arriving from foreign climes. At the time of writing we still have first call on Erhun Oztumer, but that could all change by the weekend. In the attacking department things really do look bleak, with Amadou Bakayoko the only experienced League One striker available. Having said that, the "Focus meeting" on Thursday may well give JW an opportunity to unveil a huge signing of another unknown Cypriot goal machine .... but I'm not holding my breath.

Prediction? Oxford United's 10th position in League One belies their scoring prowess - they have actually scored 9 more goals so far this season than Shrewsbury Town (42 against 33) and I can't see us keeping a clean sheet here. The trouble is that I also can't seriously see us scoring!!! However, keeping my rose-coloured spectacles firmly in place I will go for a 1-1 draw, with our Turkish Messi back on song.

UTS :D

[El_Nombre]

There's a game on Saturday??? It must have been lost in the "Who's the realest fan 2018?" competition.

[Walsallone]

If Cuvelier and T. Roberts are fit then we have a chance....if not then a draw is the best we can hope for.

[scott_powell]

Walsall 4-1 Oxford

Trust me.

[Ancient Moaner]

Walsall 4-1 Oxford

Trust me.

Yow a doctor? I could do with your input currently :wink:

However I do think you should seek medical help my friend, you've obviously got wrongwayrounditis! Should read 1-4! :(

[scott_powell]

Walsall 4-1 Oxford

Trust me.

Yow a doctor? I could do with your input currently :wink:

However I do think you should seek medical help my friend, you've obviously got wrongwayrounditis! Should read 1-4! :(

I'm telling you, Saturday we'll smash Oxford a new one!! :wink:

[chunkster]

Walsall 4-1 Oxford

Trust me.

Yow a doctor? I could do with your input currently :wink:

However I do think you should seek medical help my friend, you've obviously got wrongwayrounditis! Should read 1-4! :(

I'm telling you, Saturday we'll smash Oxford a new one!! :wink:

WHY? have we signed the whole of the wigan first team? :mrgreen:

[SoccerHQ]

Very strange odds floating around for this....

Ladbrokes have Walsall 11/10 to win....Oxford 2-1. :shock:

Scott must've put his life savings on a win.

I'll say 1-1 like last season. Tend to do alright against this lot, the away win earlier this season was I think the best performance and result of the year.

[Ancient Moaner]

But, now we don't even have Wilson to prop up our colander defence, the whole atmos stinks of a relegation scrap.
Just imagining Saturday, Baka flails two sitters into the hands of their goalie, and, following their third goal, on 85 minutes Manager of the year Whitney, brings on our saviour Jackson to score our consolation ( even though offside!). twenty seconds later 4-1 to them straight from the restart.
Just read the book 'WFC fifty of the finest matches'. Some of the great players in that book would be wincing at the poor quality of the current squad, and the clubs slow demise....................

[scott_powell]

Very strange odds floating around for this....

Ladbrokes have Walsall 11/10 to win....Oxford 2-1. :shock:

Scott must've put his life savings on a win.

I'll say 1-1 like last season. Tend to do alright against this lot, the away win earlier this season was I think the best performance and result of the year.

I can assure you I’m not that insane. I just have a weird feeling that we’ll get a convincing win!

[hullsaddler]

Tyler Roberts & Flo Cuvelier likely to be available for game according to official site.

[chunkster]

Tyler Roberts & Flo Cuvelier likely to be available for game according to official site.

I think they will both start on the bench

[Ancient Moaner]

Tyler Roberts & Flo Cuvelier likely to be available for game according to official site.

I think they will both start on the bench

Seem to remember reports that Tyler didn't want to play for us (Whitney) any more, or am I dreaming?

[saddla]

Tyler Roberts & Flo Cuvelier likely to be available for game according to official site.

I think they will both start on the bench

Seem to remember reports that Tyler didn't want to play for us (Whitney) any more, or am I dreaming?

Only on here by the usual conspiracy theorists who saw him doing 3 laps of the car park after leaving the ground with a pulled hamstring.. On a separate note are you feeling better now mate?

[SoccerHQ]

Odds get crazier....popped into William Hill after work and Oxford are 23/10 to win, Walsall evens. :shock: Are Oxford terrible away or something?

Just think AM lump on Oxford and that can make up your shortfall when the sloppies pip Blackburn to second. :wink:

[Kevlar]

Walsall 4-1 Oxford

Trust me.

Have you mis-read it ?

We'm playing Oxford not Oxfam.

[Ancient Moaner]

Thanks Saddla, feeling OK at present, but the slightest degree of movement and I'm utterly shattered, comes as a great shock to the system when I have always been as fit as a butchers dog!
Seems the TIA I suffered after the 1-4 Boxing day defeat to Swindon in the snow a few seasons ago was a forerunner to what was to happen this time round.
Disappointed that I will miss a few matches for a while, not allowed to drive for a month.
You lot will have to give 'em a shout for me. Hoping that we don't get beat on Saturday, could put us in an awkward position! :oops:
UTS always

[ChopperWFC]

Just you take it easy AM all that moaning can be exhausting :wink:
Il give them a shout for you. Christ knows how the day will go with players gone , a protest and general low feeling around the club.... 5-0 win it is then :D
Up th Saddlers forever

[chunkster]

Thanks Saddla, feeling OK at present, but the slightest degree of movement and I'm utterly shattered, comes as a great shock to the system when I have always been as fit as a butchers dog!
Seems the TIA I suffered after the 1-4 Boxing day defeat to Swindon in the snow a few seasons ago was a forerunner to what was to happen this time round.
Disappointed that I will miss a few matches for a while, not allowed to drive for a month.
You lot will have to give 'em a shout for me. Hoping that we don't get beat on Saturday, could put us in an awkward position! :oops:
UTS always

Take it easy buddy, i know that some posters on here think that you are the devil incarnate :lol: but after having a few beers with you and a few hours, i know that you are saddlers through and through, god bless ya :wink:

[SaigonSaddler]

Get well soon AM!

Going for 1-1 at The Venue, Birmingham.

[SoccerHQ]

Tyler Roberts & Flo Cuvelier likely to be available for game according to official site.

I think they will both start on the bench

Got to start Robert surely?

Fair enough his hamstring might go but he won't be Walsall's player in two weeks time so given the side are chronically short of goals I think you have to gamble he'll score today or at Charlton which will hopefully get much needed points.

Said it last week but it dosen't really feel like his loan spell here has ever got going. His goals to games ratio is good and you can see he's a player who could play no problem in the championship but he's had injuries, been playing for Wales under 21s on international weekends or simply been benched too often because Whitney in his wisdom decided Baka is the better option.

[Cheesebag]

0-0 @ 9/1 ..... put your house on it

[chunkster]

0-0 @ 9/1 ..... put your house on it

I got 10/1 :wink:

[Cheesebag]

0-0 @ 9/1 ..... put your house on it

I got 10/1 :wink:

:D

[SoccerHQ]

Looks like the 9 defenders formation has been dusted down and is back.

Midfield of Chambers, Dobson, Flanagan and Edwards today. :shock:

Edit: Liam Roberts back in goal.

[Guest]

Scott is unusually optimistic. Hope he's right!

[ObiWan7]

Sitting this one out i'm afraid. I want to support the stance of non attendance but there's no way i could turn up at the ground and not go in.

If that makes me a coward then , cover me in special herbs and spices and serve me in a bucket.

I think we'll win today , just as a gut reaction to the events of the other night , no logic behind it but when has been a Saddlers fan ever been logical.

3-0 in front of about 3K. Ozzy hatrick before he is sold

UTS and JB Out

Obi

[ObiWan7]

1-0 Baka :D

[Guest]

Baka!!! :D

[chunkster]

Anyone got a spare room for cheesebag and me :mrgreen: