Between my last report and this The Yellows had failed to record a single point, resulting in a four match losing streak. So Oxford would be hoping to put all that behind them as they welcome a lively bunch of Bradford fans down from Yorkshire. Oxford are happy to welcome back talisman Peter Leven from a long term injury, however, Adam Chapman becoming injured in training leaves the U's still short of fit players. Tony Capaldi was consequently pushed into centre midfield with O'Brien making his first appearance at left-back for the club.
As the game got under way there was a definite anticipation amongst the Oxford fans, the feeling that we needed a win, not a great performance, just the three points.
The opening exchanges saw nothing in the way of chances, with both teams seemingly lacking ambition. Ryan Clarke had a scare when he misjudged coming out for the ball, but got away with it. That was as much action to be seen in the first half which can be described as unimaginative and boring. The 4-3-3 routine formation constantly used by Wilder has become an annoyance amongst fans and something needed to change in the second period.
The second half started as the first had finished; slowly. Bradford scored their first goal from a corner, a bullet header by Davies left Oxford's spirits dampened.
A response was needed by Oxford; an injection of pace by Potter, perhaps a whipped ball into the box by Batt. However, a drab Oxford side created nothing. This led the way for Bradford to capitalise, a shot tipped round the post by Clarke led to a corner which once again they scored from.
Boo's began to ring out in corners of the Kassam Stadium as conflicting views of Wilder became evident. And when James Constable finally got a shot away with five minutes left to play ironic cheers reverberated around the ground.
I left the ground reflecting on a horrendous Oxford performance. And with coming fixtures giving The Yellows no sympathy its hard to see when this losing streak will end. I now find myself joining the 'Wilder Out' club as his predictable set-up see's no end and his summer transfers have not lived up to expectation. But the injury concerns are out of his hands, however, a good manager would surely cope despite the unforeseen problems.
Attendance: 6,032
Man of the Match: Peter Leven - Good to have him back.
Match rating: *
Referee Rating: *** - Unfairly booked James Constable, but other than that had a fairly uneventful game.
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