City 1-4 South Shields

[clive]

Well. that was a slap in the face for everyone that thought promotion back to the National League would be a walk in the park.

The first half was an exciting, even affair where after both sides scored in the opening 3 minutes, they contrived to miss a number of chances. However, in the second half, South Shields showed their class, and in particular City seemed to have little idea how to contain the league's top scorer last season, Paul Blackett.

I don't know how much homework City had done beforehand, but leaving huge gaps down the right-hand side gave Blackett the freedom of the park. Siddik was frequently exposed, and on this performance looked out of his depth, but maybe he just had the misfortune to come up against one of the best players in the division. On this evidence though, Kpekawa probably has to be chosen ahead of Siddik.

More worryingly was another sub-standard performance from Mckenzie-Lyle, whose woeful distribution was embarrassing at times, but that didn't stop him regularly berating his defence. It wasn't helped by Andre Burley having perhaps his worst performance in a hoops shirt, but hopefully that was a one-off

On the positives, Andrews looked lively up front and should now be regularly starting. Parker looks to be coming to the end of his career at this level, but can still do a job with Andrews doing the running for him.

Elliott-Wheeler showed some nice touches, but regularly chose the wrong option, and at the moment is nowhere near the level of AWB.

After this performance I would settle for a mid-table finish this season.

Attached is the usual detailed report for anyone interested

fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/08/oxford-city-1-4-south-shields-att-510.html

[ChrisB]

Great report Clive, thanks. Although it's still early days, it sounds as if there's more than a little work to be done to produce a confident team. Let's hope it doesn't take too long for the manager to sort out his 'best XI' and City can move up the table and away from the bottom four. Not sure I'd be too hopeful at the moment of bringing any points home from Monday's visit to Kidderminster though.

[marks]

Rather worried the manager talks the talk rather than walking the walk. He needs to show some inspiration quickly - and even more so, show some leadership - or this campaign will turn quickly into another relegation struggle.

McKenzie-Lyle is a liability who needs to be jettisoned quickly. Carroll's leadership at the back is sadly missed, and none of the new defensive signings have impressed yet (new left back is excused as he's been a sick-note more or less since he arrived). Burley had a horrible game yesterday, but we know he's better than that. What was worrying was the lack of cohesion as a four- a failure in coaching?

Slightly worried how pedestrian Ashby, Zac and Fleet looked yesterday. Perhaps it's missing the likes of Humphrey-Ewers to provide the legs, or they were just out-muscled by a smarter, hungrier opposition.

Parker was very well shackled up front, and I'd disagree about Andrews. He strolled petulantly for much of the game. There was no link up with Parker and he was very lazy in offering any defensive support. He took his goal well, but that was it.

I thought Jenkins was overawed last season, but compared to Cox (who has the feel of a youth team coach) he might as well be Jurgen Klopp. I've been watching football for over 50 years, much of it at non-league. Gut feel is that this is a poor appointment for this league

[Logistics]

We're only four games in the season, so it's far too early to be judging Sam Cox yet. There's a lot of new players in the team, playing a different style of football, and so obviously it's not going to click straight away.

The first few games we've shown signs of what the team can do, and give it time with the players playing together more, then that should bring a bit more confidence. Taking the lead in a game I think would also do the team the world of good.

The second half certainly wasn't great yesterday though, and do get the impression that Fleet, Zac and Parker aren't fully fit after injuries in pre-season. Although I do agree with comments above about McKenzie-Lyle, and a confident keeper would also help the rest of the team in my opinion.

This season was never going to be one where we threatened promotion back to the National League, a mid-table consolidation season would be fine from my point of view.

[Rijs]

Thanks again to Clive for his excellent report. I agree that it's too soon to be passing judgement on Sam Cox. It's not even the end of August yet! Let's give him a chance to settle, just as he is giving the players. Of course, that needs to be balanced with the need to pick up some points soon, and if that necessitates some ruthlessness on Sam's part, e.g. by dropping a player he recently signed but who is not performing, I expect he would do that. Maybe some at the club, players included, surmised that a team coming down from the National League would find it easier this year - a common mistake of relegated clubs at any level. City are beginning to learn the hard way that they will have to battle for every point this season. But as Mark Jones always used to say, it's a game of fine margins. Changing one or two players, tweaking the formation, getting one good result - these things can suddenly lift confidence and you'd think you were watching a different team. So don't write us off yet - don't even write off the play-offs yet. Remember what a dodgy start we had in the year we won promotion to this league? That included a 6-0 defeat at Totton, the team we went on to beat 4-2 in the play-off final!

[clive]

City seem to have given up on posting highlights of their games on their YouTube channel. These are from the South Shields channel

[ChrisB]

Gate of 510 is not too bad: certainly better than our average home league gate of 321 the last time we were 'in the North'. It would be nice to think the attendances could be kept at that level as the season progresses.

P.S. Thanks for the link to the South Shields highlights, Clive. Hopefully City will get back to posting their own soon.

[clive]

Well,if City keep shipping 4 goals every game the attendances will probably plummet, and they won't be in a hurry to share the highlights !

[viperswhip]

I am going to give them 15 games but if I don't see cohesion and team growth by then I will assume the season ends with us out of the playoffs, never mind being promoted.

[graeme]

Interestingly Kai is described as having picked up an injury in training. So potentially there will be a new keeper for Saturday.

A number of people have suggested the keeper seen during the warm ups is Nathan Shepherd from Wycombe. If that is the case then we may see him between the sticks, if not I guess we will expect a signing announced an hour before kick off.

Okay ...so it's the latter. Rylee Mitchell on a 28 day youth loan...announced well in advance for city.

[Logistics]

Aug 30, 2024 12:39:55 GMT graeme said:

Okay ...so it's the latter. Rylee Mitchell on a 28 day youth loan...announced well in advance for city.

Sam is obviously slightly less bothered about keeping his cards close to his chest unlike Ross used to be!