Burton Albion 4 (Zola 25 & 66, Maghoma 45 & 65) Oxford United 0

4:53pm Saturday 15th September 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

OXFORD United crashed to their heaviest defeat in almost two years as Burton Albion came out on top at the Pirelli Stadium.

The visitors were booed off by a section of the travelling supporters at the final whistle after slumping to a fourth defeat in five games.

Superb finishes from Calvin Zola and Jacques Maghoma gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead at the break.

Both players struck within 60 seconds of each other midway through the second half to make the game safe.

It inflicted the biggest league defeat on the U's since a 5-0 loss at Bradford City in October 2010.

United boss Chris Wilder began by changing formation from his favoured 4-3-3 to 3-4-3, with Daniel Boateng brought in as one of three centre backs.

Jake Forster-Caskey made way, suffering with a virus.

The visitors had the first sight of goal, on nine minutes, when Michael Raynes headed over at an Adam Chapman corner.

Burton went on to have a good spell and almost took the lead in bizarre circumstances.

An innocuous ball into the box almost caught out Ryan Clarke, who readjusted in time to parry the ball on the line.

The U's goalkeeper was beaten on 16 minutes, but the woodwork came to his rescue. Lee Bell's free-kick hit the defensive wall, but from the rebound Damien McCrory's effort rattled the crossbar.

Burton opened the scoring midway through the half thanks to a moment of brilliance from Zola.

Chesting a through ball, the striker spun and off-balance volleyed first-time over Clarke and into the net from 30 yards.

It was a stunning strike, but United recovered well.

They went on to control the game for 20 minutes, pinning Burton back.

But other than an Alfie Potter which flew wide of the post, they failed to open up the Brewers.

Instead the home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half time.

It was another smart finish, with Maghoma bending a shot from the edge of the area in off the crossbar, but unlike the first goal United were partly culpable, wasting several chances to clear the ball in the build-up.

Boos from the away end accompanied the half time whistle, but the visitors began the second half strongly.

Within seconds two substitutes combined, with Jon-Paul Pittman crossing for Tom Craddock, whose shot was deflected over.

The new faces saw United switch to 4-2-3-1, with Potter, Craddock and Pittman in behind Smalley.

Pittman in particular looked dangerous and one lashed shot was brilliantly tipped over by Albion goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson.

It was as good as it got for United, as two goals in the space of a minute ended the game as a contest.

Wright was booked for bringing down Zola on the edge of the box and from the resulting free-kick Maghoma curled over the wall and into the net.

A section of away fans began singing "what a load of rubbish" and the chorus was still in full swing when Zola made it 4-0.

The big striker was allowed the time to control a cross and shoot past an exposed Clarke from eight yards.

United looked a beaten side and although they attempted to stick to their task, Burton cruised through the closing stages.

Tyrone Marsh came off the bench for the final seven minutes, so will be the only U's player to remember the game fondly.

United have little time to regroup, with a trip to Cheltenham Town coming up on Tuesday.

United: Clarke, Boateng (Pittman 46), Raynes, Wright, Batt, Chapman, Heslop, Capaldi, Rigg (Craddock 46), Smalley (Marsh 83), Potter.

Unused subs: Brown, O'Brien, Worley, Cox.

Burton: Tomlinson, O'Connor, Diamond, Holness, McCrory, Taylor (Dyer 55), Bell, Weir, Maghoma, Zola (Richards 75), Paterson (Corbett 57).

Unused subs: Atkins, Webster, Stanton, Kee.

Referee: Richard Clark Attendance: 2,389

Comments(44)

Beau champ mummy says...
5:01pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Taxi for wilder more utter rubbish

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bigchet says...
5:57pm Sat 15 Sep 12

just two words, unnacceptable and embarassing.

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Brian Gibbs says...
6:05pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Just back from the match and I hope Mr Lenagan has a Plan B because Chris Wilder does not.

This was a shocking defeat against a team who are not going to make the play offs.

For yet another match Wilder keeps Raynes and Heslop on the pitch when both players were out of their depth, but subs Boateng and Rigg, shows that we need a change now or we could be in real trouble.

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Joe1 says...
6:17pm Sat 15 Sep 12

What is going on with our club??
Can't play, can't manage the team, can't defend or score, there does not seem to be a game plan on the pitch. We were just so poor out there today. Perhaps Wilder has lost the plot & is looking over his shoulder? Before it is too late, the chairman needs to act, he says he ie getting involved daily. How? Since the two departures things seem to be going downhill.For pity's sake ACT NOW!!!!

"COME ON YOU YELLOWS"

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Megastar07 says...
6:50pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Well f***king said
I L tell us what is going on we pay the wages
Remember

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LeGod says...
7:00pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Well what a shame the mighty Yellows are sinking quickly after the JPT cup final for you against us your leaking goals losing games convincingly and slipping down the league.

I keep telling you lot your stuck in L2 as that is your level and its fantastic to see you losing every week.

Get used to getting stuffed every week.

Fantastic and watch over your shoulder as the Conference could be your next stop. Yipee

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Beau champ mummy says...
7:05pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Why don't we revert back to kick and rush it's got us a lot of success for years

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adlibber says...
7:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Wilder out - he doesn't have a clue - Lenagan needs to act now if we are to rescue our season.

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dave from witney says...
7:22pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Surely he has to be gone by this time next week. He managed to get us out of the BSP, with you need to remember with considerable financial backing which apart from Luton eluded most clubs. I am afraid that he has proved to one and all that non league is his standard. His signings and endless loans have been abysmal. The defence concedes goals, we do not have a forward...even a £200k one !!!, who can score and midfield is just totally lacking. To think that he was in the running for the Coventry job is crazy. The bloke is out of his class in division two let alone a higher tier. IL may wait until after Tuesday's game, but I cannot see him showing himself next Saturday. Thanks for the BSP and goodbye.

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Beau champ mummy says...
7:48pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Dave I think your comments r harsh people seem to forget we r only a very small little club with a very small fan base we live in a city that is not interested in football and r limit is div2 let's be grateful we have a club in the football league

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AylesburyOx says...
7:53pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Wilder out. Embarrassing, below par and a pathetic display by a team of 'professionals'. He's taken us as far as he can but has simply run out of ideas.
Bring in Tisdale and let's go up or stick with Wilder and let's go nowhere.

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kibby says...
8:05pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Well there's some good football being played in the Conference North by Oxford City so if you fancy a change you could always go along and give them a cheer

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make mine a double says...
8:59pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Beau champ mummy wrote:
Dave I think your comments r harsh people seem to forget we r only a very small little club with a very small fan base we live in a city that is not interested in football and r limit is div2 let's be grateful we have a club in the football league
where you been all your life? 30k fans at Wembley, A city the same size as Reading, a rich county to boot. You are drugs mate ? IL is at the club because he can see the we are a big club in a small lg. Get down to Littlemore hospital for a bit of electric shock treatment

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Underfaker says...
9:19pm Sat 15 Sep 12

Only two words needed now WILDER OUT!!!!!!!!

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In_The_Nikon_Time says...
9:52pm Sat 15 Sep 12

LeGod wrote:
Well what a shame the mighty Yellows are sinking quickly after the JPT cup final for you against us your leaking goals losing games convincingly and slipping down the league.

I keep telling you lot your stuck in L2 as that is your level and its fantastic to see you losing every week.

Get used to getting stuffed every week.

Fantastic and watch over your shoulder as the Conference could be your next stop. Yipee
Ha Ha Le Knob proves what a knob he is yet again

Swindon played 6 - 8 points

Oxford played 6 - 9 points

In Oxford (where we know how to count) that makes Swindon slightly more crappy than Oxford at the moment :-)

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Chish and Fips says...
12:15am Sun 16 Sep 12

Concede 8 goals in two successive games - nuff said ...

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Ians view says...
1:36am Sun 16 Sep 12

It's not so long ago that Oxford took about... hmm 4 fans to Manchester City...

Although attendances may have improved in recent years, to claim Oxford United is a "Big Club", redefines what a "Big Club" is...

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Beau champ mummy says...
6:36am Sun 16 Sep 12

Make mine a double u r the one who needs treatment if u think we r a big club ok we took 30 ooo to we wembley but this people were there for the day out not Oxford supporters we got a dreadful ground that if we go higher up the leagues will be a embarrassment we got no money to invest in players we get poor gates so I say sir u r the fool unto investment div2is are limit fact

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Beau champ mummy says...
6:38am Sun 16 Sep 12

And how is Oxford the same size as reading you muppet Oxford 147 ooo reading 225 000 der

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Chish and Fips says...
6:55am Sun 16 Sep 12

make mine a double wrote:
Beau champ mummy wrote:
Dave I think your comments r harsh people seem to forget we r only a very small little club with a very small fan base we live in a city that is not interested in football and r limit is div2 let's be grateful we have a club in the football league
where you been all your life? 30k fans at Wembley, A city the same size as Reading, a rich county to boot. You are drugs mate ? IL is at the club because he can see the we are a big club in a small lg. Get down to Littlemore hospital for a bit of electric shock treatment
I think you are getting a bit mixed up there, is it a city you are comparing or their relevant football clubs with their investors, because there is where Reading gain the advantage, they were run and heavily invested by a very shrewd and clever Chairman, up until a while ago.

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adlibber says...
9:11am Sun 16 Sep 12

I said to few mates when we were in BSP that if we don't invest properly for the future we will soon have a league derby with City - if we continue like this we could have one next season. Wilder out.

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CHINNOR YELLOWS says...
9:26am Sun 16 Sep 12

Total rubbish in last 3 games. IL needs to act now. The end of last season was really bad (injuries did not help) but this one could be worse.
Lets have some openness about the injured players and the finances. It is the supporters who bring in the money to the club, we do not want every last detail but a bit of honest talking.
Some of these players (in the team at present) we have are not FIT or GOOD enough.

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make mine a double says...
12:16pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Beau champ mummy wrote:
And how is Oxford the same size as reading you muppet Oxford 147 ooo reading 225 000 der
did you count them? Oxford and Reading are comparable sizes. Oxford are a big club, fact! would you like to tell me how we got in to Div 1, when a crook was running the club? you going to tell me that Maxwell pump millions in lol. keep taking the pills boy.

COYY

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bigchet says...
12:26pm Sun 16 Sep 12

when you have conceded seven goals in the previous two games its obvious that the back four are not performing, so to reduce them to a back three is only going to make it worse. the success we had earlier was when lee cox had the holding role in front of the back four and yet yesterday he was left on the bench, let the midfielders do the wide role and the fullbacks do their defensive role instead of being short at the back.

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wend says...
12:54pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Well if the internet is to be believed the population of Reading is approx 240,000 and Oxford is approx 150,000. Average attendances at both clubs: Oxford 7,400, Reading 19,000. In terms of what's "big" I think these figures speak for themselves really

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karatavuk says...
1:36pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Come on Coventry. Take Wilder away from us.
Pleeeease

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Beau champ mummy says...
3:40pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Make mine a double u seriously are deluded Oxford is no where near the size of reading it is in fact smaller than Swindon and football has changed ten fold since maxwells days u must b the only one in the country who thinks we r a big club as I said untill serious investment we r div2 at best live with it boy

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oldun says...
4:50pm Sun 16 Sep 12

In size we are obviously much smaller than nearly all Championship clubs but we are definitely much bigger than most League One clubs - playing in the fourth tier and and being heavily beaten by much smaller clubs in the is not acceptable - IL must see that - please!!

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Patrick in Devon says...
5:32pm Sun 16 Sep 12

To the 150,000 you can add Botley, kennington and Kidlington - takes it to about 200,000, but supporters come from Bicester, Witney, Abindon areas too - so its more like a catchment of 300,000.

They were saying much the same about the limited potential for the club during its second season in the league first time round in 1963 - when we also had a bad run early in the season and slumped to 3rd from bottom. Went on to reach the Cup quarter finals and promotion the following season. Then 3 years in the old Div 3 and promotion again - all under the same manager.

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Chish and Fips says...
5:54pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Patrick in Devon wrote:
To the 150,000 you can add Botley, kennington and Kidlington - takes it to about 200,000, but supporters come from Bicester, Witney, Abindon areas too - so its more like a catchment of 300,000.

They were saying much the same about the limited potential for the club during its second season in the league first time round in 1963 - when we also had a bad run early in the season and slumped to 3rd from bottom. Went on to reach the Cup quarter finals and promotion the following season. Then 3 years in the old Div 3 and promotion again - all under the same manager.
Good positive thoughts - or on the negative side 'clutching at straws' ..

Have a good week you lot.

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oldun says...
6:01pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Yep but that was an outstanding manager with pedigree in the top flight. In the four seasons before joining United the had aken an unfashionable club (A) to the FA Cup Final (they have still never won it),(B) to sixth in the top flight (still their best ever) and (C) to the first ever appearance in European Club football by an English club. Keep royt on me blue babbies! He turned down a job at Leeds to stay with United. Let's hope we reach the FA Cup Quarter Finals this season - my bet is that we will not

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Chish and Fips says...
6:19pm Sun 16 Sep 12

What was his name (the manager)?

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The London Yellows says...
7:53pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Obviously it's been a really bad run lately (understatement!) but it's still early days, of course it can't continue the way it is or we're going to struggle.
It seems there's something going on behind the scenes and with all the speculation about CW leaving, it's having an adverse effect on the players confidence.
Big club or not, we don't care about Reading, Swindon or anybody else, we just care about what's happening with our club... would someone at the club like to tell us?

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Brenda Jackson says...
7:55pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Mr Wilder, thank you for helping us out of the depths of the BSP- But kindly resign as you look likely to take us back.

Mr Ian lenegan, if the manager refuses to resign, you have to sack him, for the good of OUFC.

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oldun says...
8:14pm Sun 16 Sep 12

The manager? Arthur Turner took United from Southern League to what is now bizarrely called The Championship. Birmingham City's most successful manager - google his profile . Wilder go!

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dave from witney says...
8:35pm Sun 16 Sep 12

There is no way that Wilder is going to walk, if he leaves it will be IL's decision. The problem then arises, who takes over while a new incumbent is installed. I remember Kelvin saying once that he thought if Wilder went, he would take Lewis & Melville with him, I assume because they are 'joined at the hip'. so the club has to budget to get rid of all three. Who else is there ?... PRB !!. A bit awkward for the chairman if he acts, unless of course he has someone lined up already. Jerome said last week was going to be interesting, not as interesting as this week.

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foxvox says...
11:01pm Sun 16 Sep 12

kibby wrote:
Well there's some good football being played in the Conference North by Oxford City so if you fancy a change you could always go along and give them a cheer
I went to see Brackley yesterday - I think they'd beat us at the moment.

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darkskies says...
12:03am Mon 17 Sep 12

As usual the doom and gloom merchants are quick to condemn when the team go through a bad patch, even the best teams do. Its how they respond that counts, so I think the next 2 matches are crucial for Oxford otherwise CW could be on his way. Lets get our season back on track, two games two wins.
COYY

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adlibber says...
7:50am Mon 17 Sep 12

darkskies - the doom&gloom merchants are the realists - what is happening now is exactly the same as last year 2-3 wins followed by 4-5 defeats =mid table mediocrity. Sadly I think we could be in serious trouble if Wilder doesn't go now. he has run out of ideas players seem to be lifeless at times and confused with positioning in games. To concede so many goals in last 3 games is appalling and Wilder's signings in the main have been very poor. It's seems obvious to me Constable isn't interested in playing for Wilder and maybe not interested in playing for the club but to have a striker with over 40 goals in 2 seasons draw a blank now indicates something is badly wrong.

Even if we won next 2-3 games I'd still be concerned about the next 4-5 after that. We have no consistency and at times the defence seem clueless and the attack seem frightened of the ball. Wilder has had enough time to move us up the leagues and he has failed miserably. I think he should go.

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AylesburyOx says...
8:27am Mon 17 Sep 12

adlibber wrote:
darkskies - the doom&gloom merchants are the realists - what is happening now is exactly the same as last year 2-3 wins followed by 4-5 defeats =mid table mediocrity. Sadly I think we could be in serious trouble if Wilder doesn't go now. he has run out of ideas players seem to be lifeless at times and confused with positioning in games. To concede so many goals in last 3 games is appalling and Wilder's signings in the main have been very poor. It's seems obvious to me Constable isn't interested in playing for Wilder and maybe not interested in playing for the club but to have a striker with over 40 goals in 2 seasons draw a blank now indicates something is badly wrong. Even if we won next 2-3 games I'd still be concerned about the next 4-5 after that. We have no consistency and at times the defence seem clueless and the attack seem frightened of the ball. Wilder has had enough time to move us up the leagues and he has failed miserably. I think he should go.
Absolutely spot on mate.
Wilder is out of ideas and has to go now. He's lost the players and the is rapidly losing the fans.
There are deeper things at work here other than a few bad results -
Why can't Clarke so much as catch as ball now when a few months ago he was touted as the best keeper outside the Championship?
Why did Alan Hodgkinson choose to go when he did. I know for a fact he thought Wilder, Lewis and Melville were a bunch of jokers - maybe things were said?
Why is Lenegan so keen to cut all ot KTs ties with the club? With JR out it's only Wilder left.
Constable; as adlibber correctly pointed out is a 20 goal a season striker who no longer wishes to play for the club. What's going on there?

Wilder must go before the end of the month so the next manager has enough time to turn this around. He can't keep using and fans can't keep supporting him with the 3 wins over Swindon - 2 of which were last season and 1 in a competition nobody cares about.

Wilder out. Tisdale in.

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Brenda Jackson says...
9:30am Mon 17 Sep 12

Oddly the downward spiral seems to have
coincided with Kelvin Thomas stepping down & the new Chairman coming in. Since then the goalkeeping coach along with Director Jim Rosenthal who have also quit/resigned.
The dressing room morale must be at an all time low, the manager appears clueless and unmotivated- no wonder we're getting slaughtered in matches.
Over to you Mr Lenegan.

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LeGod says...
11:19am Mon 17 Sep 12

in the nikon time - oh sorry what league are you in !!!!!!! oh yes L2 a bit different from L1 wouldnt you say. If you want ot start bragging lets look where we both are in May because i am feeling alot more confident than you are and where we will end up compared to you Yellow bellies.

We start slow and drive on to win the league as we did last season and with ease whereas Oxford have had their Cup Final this season against the mighty Reds and now your season is over already 4-0 is a stuffing by any standard and you are leaking goals every game and not just the odd one what is it 10 in 3 games -you have serious problems.
You've slipped down the league as i said you would and your going into oblivion.

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AylesburyOx says...
11:43am Mon 17 Sep 12

LeGod wrote:
in the nikon time - oh sorry what league are you in !!!!!!! oh yes L2 a bit different from L1 wouldnt you say. If you want ot start bragging lets look where we both are in May because i am feeling alot more confident than you are and where we will end up compared to you Yellow bellies. We start slow and drive on to win the league as we did last season and with ease whereas Oxford have had their Cup Final this season against the mighty Reds and now your season is over already 4-0 is a stuffing by any standard and you are leaking goals every game and not just the odd one what is it 10 in 3 games -you have serious problems. You've slipped down the league as i said you would and your going into oblivion.
What's the point in this?

Generally speaking I enjoy hearing your opinions and banter LeGod; you're good at baiting and being baited. Why lower yourself to the standards of some of the other Swindon fans who get on here and just spout insults?

We're dire at the moment and that is the issue, not Oxford v Swindon.

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adlibber says...
6:04pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Le God I'm happy with banter but you're not the jokey type - you post nothing but juvenile bile on here and your by far the most tedious Swindon fan on here. Seriously you need to get a life or a job or a girlfriend or a prescription.

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