The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere on the forum so thought I'd start a topic about it:

I wasn't overly convinced by the timing and nature of the substitutions last night. I accept that Farrell and Tomlin were both tiring but really felt that we were in the ascendancy and had Oxford on the ropes just before J-Lo came on, thanks largely to the pace of our front three. Bringing them both off slowed things down which seemed to really play into Oxford's hands and had me looking at my watch and hoping for the final whistle.

Of course I don't want to question JEMS - they manage a football club and I sit at a PC writing about it on a internet forum, so whose opinion counts more - but personally I feel that with an extra 10 mins of Tomlin and Farrell we would have had a good chance of another goal. Of course they'd then be a bit more tired for the second leg, but J-Lo and Akurang are exactly the kind of players you want on the pitch when you're leading a game so I'm not sure it would matter too much.

I was also a bit surprised to see Akurang on the bench but no Smith. We didn't really have any pace to bring on at all and personally I felt pace was the thing that was causing Oxford problems. Had I been in charge I would have put Smith on the bench and then brought him on on for Farrell and Patto on for Tomlin.

Anyway, just my two cents - if we win in the second leg I'll print out this post and eat it :-P

Fair enough. The subs, listening to Justin on the BBC were due to all three not having much football and with Tomlin booked and that ref being happy to card us and not them, it made sense to take them off rather than risk losing them for the second leg (although I thought we did ok after they were taken off anyway).

I'm sorry I don't agree about the Smith comment. For me, the last few games, whether it is due to lack of football or not, should not be on bench. I thought Akurang did ok at Wrexham when he led the line, and I think overall this season due to what they've contributed, Louis and Akurang need to be available, we can't risk giving Sam more time (and it looks to be the same with Wes Thomas, I'll be surprised if he's involved now).

One player I was concerned with was Osano. I thought he dwelt on the ball too much, when there was a man free in space and wasn't always ready to react to a move or a second ball, although that may have been due to with nerves, since he's played well this season overall.

Byrne for me was once again the terrier and dynamo of the team, and Terry was his usual self, tidying up the midfield, as were Stuart and Downer at the back. Porter had one of his best games for us. Roll on Monday.

with tomlin and downer on bookings that made sense to me but i couldnt understand the farrell decision.

Even tho he was whack on Saturday, i thouugh Louis should have started. He would have caused more problems to the Oxford defence and i thought this showed when he came on. Just not sure if it should have been Az or Faz on the right

TheIncognitoKid wrote:...... I though Louis should have started. He would have caused more problems to the Oxford defence

I was chatting to a few Oxford fans before the match and they expected Louis to start since as an ex-Oxford player he has always given them problems in the past when he's played for the opposition.
They were surprised when I said I thought we would start with Farrell and O'Connor.

It will be interesting to see who starts on Monday.

Louis has been poor both times against Luton this season though. I don't think their defence can really cope with the pace through the middle so will be interesting to see.