Painful

That one had us all scrabbling around to take positives from the day. Aside from the obvious (Campbell’s debut) we came up with: ‘at least it wasn’t 0-5 (or worse)’; we didn’t concede any goals from set pieces’ (although the jury’s still out on whether that’s a positive or a negative as we still managed to concede without set-piece contributions); at least we’re still out of the bottom four’; at least Palace lost’; ‘the heavy cabinet I fitted on the kitchen wall is still up’; ‘I cooked a nice meal’; and ‘I decided to hoover the car instead of watching today’.

There were plenty of similarities between the defeats away at Bolton and Wigan, and a few more factors in common yesterday. As at Wigan we started the game brightly (albeit this time not actually scoring), passing and moving well and creating decent situations, the upside of a line-up with no outright centre-forward. And as at Wigan that only lasted for a short time as the opposition worked us out and began to assert themselves. And scored. Yesterday it was two before half-time and effectively game over, given the tameness of our response. The second half was an endless tale of woe as they scored a third, Clare lost his rag and was sent off (with a case to be made for Inniss joining him instead of just a yellow), and they scored a fourth, only denied numbers five and six by MacGillivray saves late on.

For sure we were again seriously depleted. No return yet for Stockley, Aneke or Washington, or Blackett-Taylor, or Fraser, and no sign of Kanu. It was curious at Bolton to be starting with three centre-backs two of whom were not recognised centre-backs and yet to have two which were on the bench. We went one better this time with three in reserve (Famewo, Pearce and Lavelle) while Inniss was accompanied by Clare and Purrington, Matthews and Jaiyesimi the wing-backs. And instead of two up front in Leko and Burstow we started with only the former, Morgan returning and giving Lee pretty much a free role.

Again, it seemed to work early on, for the opening 10 minutes. Then Gobby had a conflab with his team during an injury break, they made an adjustment or two, and it was never the same again. Their first goal, after 20 minutes, was fortunate and against the run of play. The rebound from Dobson’s challenge might have gone anywhere instead of shooting back into the danger zone, enabling their guy to play in another, who converted unerringly with a strong shot into the roof of the net. Shortly after they rattled the bar and MacGillivray saved well from the header from the rebound, only to delay a second. That came with another limp challenge in midfield, a ball played across our back line, and a guy shooting through MacGillivray’s legs. When shortly after Inniss had lengthy treatment there was already a case for taking him off to avoid further damage, while to date we had yellow cards for Leko, DJ and Purrington.

Something had to change at half-time, Burstow coming on for Jaiyesimi, who looked likely to commit another foul and collect a second yellow. We seemed to change formation too, switching to the diamond. And not long into the half we did have a near miss, as an incredible Dobson pass forward was well controlled by Lee and he played in Burstow, whose prodded shot took a deflection and went just wide of the post. If Gilbey’s shot had put us 2-0 up at Wigan, if that had gone in ....

Instead Oxford scored a third, an excellent curled effort after the guy was given the space to choose his best side and set himself. Then we had Clare’s stupidity and the afternoon was just about damage limitation. Famewo came on for Leko, Burstow now the lone forward. Their fourth came in the final 10 minutes, another excellent shot – and to be fair three of their four goals were very well taken. Time for Famewo to get a yellow too, for Campbell to come on for his debut in place of Lee (and to give some glimpses of his abilities, which had frightened the life out of the Brighton youth team), and then MacGillivray to make his two late saves.

We look a very soft touch at the moment and MK Dons will come to The Valley on Tuesday thinking the points are theirs for the taking. That simply can’t happen. We know changes to the team will be made, with Clare not available and every indication that Inniss will not be able to play, so quite possibly if the formation is unchanged the three on the bench yesterday will start. Why not? Then it’s a case of whether anyone becomes available. If not, there simply aren’t options up front other than Leko and Burstow or one of the two.

Hard times, but we can’t simply let it become four defeats in a row, there has to be greater determination and character. Another defeat and a relegation fight will start to look very real. At least I can concentrate on my kitchen cabinet, JJ has a lot more thinking to do before we take to the pitch again.