Yes a tricky line up to predict, no doubt. 

I'll take a draw tbh.

My prediction;

Oxford City (1) 1 Dorking (0) 2 (Ottaway, Carter)

971 (148 Wanderers)

No idea what a fitter Wanderers XI looks like tbh, but I'm looking forward to seeing the Headington Shark before the game (google it!)

Oxford 0 Dorking Wanderers 0

Att 880

@calvertskans Interesting to have Moore up with Ottoway instead of McManus. Are you thinking that Moore can have more control of the ball, and help with the finishing?

I'm hoping for 0 - 2 Dorking taking back 3 points, and it is a lovely start to the New Year.

@robh I think Moore is more (forgive the pun) of a striker than McManus who is a central midfielder - lately used as a winger when desperate.

Moore is actually listed as a forward on Wiki...

Moore played up top in the Maidenhead and Woking games. With no other options I don't see anyone else unless we massively change shape.

Think McManus would get a nosebleed that high up the pitch 😂

Could Carter play up top with Ottaway, or just behind as a 10, leaving Moore back in his natural midfield habitat? 

0–0 

@baggy Maybe and I am sure he will join in with attacks more (as Marc wanted him to do more of during the game on Boxing Day).

The other option is we play a 4-5-1 or something like that:

                          Male

    Gallagher   Craig     Hollis      B.Taylor

Briggs                Pybus              Bowerman

           J. Taylor               Carter

                       Ottaway

I'm a fan of playing Bobby-Joe at the back at the moment as I don't think our current back 3 has enough pace to deal with counters (as we saw against Woking and Oxford).

@calvertskans I like that 4-5-1  line up - good balance. And looks like mostly fully fit players too 👍

Honestly I couldn't give you a score at the moment. 

but if Marc went with Tom's lineup, I think we could get something. 

Feeling positive based on the team line ups I n the forum 👍 

National League TV a bit optimistic though, maybe in a few year’s time

#EnglishPremierLeague 🤔 👇 

You were spot on @AdeB ! 

Great result there. Much needed 3 points. 
would be good to hear from those who went to both games whether the performance was much different or whether it was just that the chances went in. 

Glad Bobby Joe got on and made the second goal. Can’t help thinking he deserves more game time when we we have been struggling for fit wingers. 

Should not have lost at home to them. Marc needs to sort those breakaway goals. But a great start to 2024, with players to come back to. Up the Wanderers! 

@baggy Probably a mixture of both - It was by no means a classic today but I would say the performance was a bit better than Boxing Day. We definitely created a bit more today as I can remember a few chances as well as the two goals. I can only remember the one chance from the Boxing Day game. On the flip side, Oxford had a few more chances than they did on Boxing Day and we can thank Harrison for keeping them out. That being said, Oxford look a really poor side and I will be very surprised if they stay up.

Really important to get the 3 points though considering recent form. Hopefully can kick on a bit now.

Posted by: @calvertskans

↑

Think McManus would get a nosebleed that high up the pitch 😂

I would also like to formally apologise to Niall McManus 🤣 

I thought the performance in both games was pretty similar - like the boxing day game it felt like another stalemate, but the difference today was the last 30 mins where DW noticably stepped it up - in particular Bowerman, and the subs McManus and Bobby Joe.

Overall todays win felt like a fair result but boy did we have to work hard for it.

Big positive nobody went off injured today. Also nobody got a red card, which in itself was a miracle as the ref was issuing yellows for every foul near the end!