sjk2008

Absolutely that may have been his thinking. Having said that, if he fast forwarded his thoughts 12 months on, he may have thought we’d be in the same league…

I was just about to respond to your original post then… Whether people agree with me or not, if it’s the FA Cup 3rd round and we drew someone like Arsenal, Spurs, United, Liverpool at home, I honestly think I’d prefer to draw and get a replay than win. We’re obviously not gonna win the thing so I’m clearly thinking of other factors beyond the result, but you just can’t beat getting rocking up at the bigger teams away from home with a load of blind optimism. And yes of course, you could win and draw another big time, but it’s not very likely. Forest, Everton and Fulham are easily top 5 away days for me.

I don’t often, but I have to agree with Rob here. It wasn’t long ago we were sick and tired of only offering 12 month deal and then collectively losing our shit every pre-season when we pretty much had to start again. 2yr deals with an option (on both sides) is the way forward, but only for the right players. No more 32+ year olds looking for that final pay day.

Clarke was my absolute first choice too. Look what he’s done at Cheltenham. Joined them end of September when they were rooted to the bottom of league 1 having got 1 point from the first 9 games and having not scored a single goal all season and a goal difference of -15. They battered Peterborough tonight (18 shots to 7) and now just 2 points from safety. Surely we’d have paid more than them, unless he simply wasn’t in the running…

He’s 21 this year, BP. Update your notepad.

If people want to put most of the blame on Mellon then that’s their choice. Whilst I disagree completely, I can’t say they’re wrong. It’s an opinion at the end of the day. But what I’m really struggling to understand is, how can so many of our players - most who start games regularly - not have enough bollcoks, self respect, ambition, pride or whatever you want to call it, to not want to go on that pitch and give 100% - especially when not so long ago we were sat in 5th. That Gardner penalty last night really hits deep. The lack of excitement across the players when he scored was extraordinary. That’s a group of players (bar one or two) who absolutely could not give a fuck about this club or its fans.

He’s largely managing Unsworth’s squad of shite. I honestly don’t think there’s many managers that will get a tune out if a squad of players like ours. One without a reliable and fit central midfield, without any really pace and width, without a decent proper full back all season and with nobody who can seemingly get their foot on the ball and control a game. On the latter above, I feel that’s why he opted for Conlon. An element of panic behind it, but he clearly saw straight away our midfield is embarrassing. I don’t understand the Garner signing. I do understand those arguing against giving him the summer and us potentially being in the same situation by October next season, but I’d trust Mellon and Brabin to identify what’s wrong, what we need, and how we can improve, over that fraud Unsworth who was only brought in because he was Royle’s mate. And I don’t blame him for looking disheartened in the interviews he does, look at the shit he has to manage. Like I said earlier, Mellon can’t be absolved of any blame, but for me, previous recruitment and an environment that was allowed to build up that’s resulted in mentally weak, uninterested players looking for a pay cheque is the bigger problem.

How is the squad no excuse? 85% of it is Unsworths. They were shit then, they’re shit now.

I’m still willing to give Mellon this summer. I appreciate it’s a risk, but the released list will be an interesting one. Mellon isn’t innocent here, by no means, but for me, and I’ve said it before, this is a squad full of lazy, uninterested bastards and bottle merchants. Royle needs questioning as he set back Franks plans a whole lot by bringing his inept mate in. We can’t really criticise him for bringing Mellon in as a lot of us fans wanted him, myself included. But these players man, fuck them.

Whilst 30 may be a stretch, I’d have him over Will Grigg every day of the week and he’s bagged 24 this season, despite only scoring about 20 in his previous 130 games. You know why? 1. He’s playing Vanarama level football a not L1 2. He has the likes of Dobra, Mandeville & Colcough creating for him. Sort out the service, reap the rewards.

They aren’t traditional wingers. They’re more inside forwards.

100/1 to be promoted. Stick it on that.

We’ll be a lot more than 18/1 now based on our form.

I’m not Hogan’s biggest fan, but when you see how Hobson has played this season and Raglan at times, at least Hogan looks to play it a bit whereas those two just seem to go route one. Absolutely no issue having him here one more season, but absolutely not as a starter.

Now I’ve come to terms with the fact we’re gonna be spending another season in this league, I remain optimistic with Mellon. We have a team full of absolute bottle merchants. That much is clear. They can play better when there’s less pressure and we’re seen as the situational underdogs, such as Chesterfield or when we’re behind to an in-form Altrincham or a man down against Fylde. But then the expectation weighs on the players, they can’t deliver. I’m not absolving players like Norwood of any blame, but I totally understand his frustrations. Conlon, debut aside, has looked lost. But the biggest thing for me, is we have gone thru an entire season without any real pace outlets, no good wingers and very little central midfielders who can collectively control a game. As a result, we can’t dominate games. Our creativity is seriously lacking, and our defenders have no passing options so resort to hoofing. If they had more balls about them, we’d look a lot better. That being said, I feel we need two full backs and an entire midfield. Kitching can go for me. If the Reid situation bothers him so much, follow him out of the door. We need a specialist right back, that much is obvious. Conlon, Gardner, Lundstram and Sheron can stay, but not sure I’d put my house on any of them being nailed on starters, but definitely squad options. Bring in a DM who can control a game, bring in a #10 similar to CCC (who we should have gone all out for) and bring in 2 wingers. Proper, fast wingers. Id also like a pacey forward. And one thing we have to remember, it took Notts County, Wrexham and Stockport a long time to get out of this division. Same for Chesterfield. I think it’s about time we started respecting this division (myself included).