mikeroyboy

Absolutely! These players, already performing very poorly at BP, are never going to heal. Being loudly booed off the pitch at a end-of-season game will have long term consequences no matter how justified it was. I have never witnessed any like it in circa 67yrs watching Latics. We are now left with, in the main, a group of poor players who are simply going through the motions. Mellon or anyone else for that matter have a serious problem motivating them. I suspect this will carry on into next season and quite possibly effect recruitment. I suspect there is a ‘grapevine’ for professional footballers at all levels. A new manager may have some form of incite on how to address the problem. But will be another punt. Just maybe, a three month break including pre-season will rekindle enthusiasm. Certainly a group of players will be leaving and touted by some a new manager. All we fans can do is as usual.

Yesterday’s display has been adequately and correctly described. But why are our players so consistently hopeless at home? Yesterday was quite possibly the worst example. We were comfortably out passed, again, and beaten, by a team that has been struggling in the bottom four. Not knowing much about their players I will assume they are generally of none league background, as are the majority of ours players. If Phil Brown is the sole reason for their resurgence, how has he got them to pass and move the ball so efficiently against a top seven side? Why are our, shall I say, similarly equipped and experienced players managed by a respected known winner at this level so consistently hopeless at Boundary Park? Even against lower league opposition. Ever since we began to struggle under the Lemmies I realised how bloody difficult it was for clubs like ours to get out of the National League. Now, here we are. The players available to sign, generally, are players that have stood out at this level. They come here and with few exceptions under perform. The large contingent of vociferous fans are way beyond anything they’ve come across before. And then there’s the Ried incident. Most of the players were likely uninvolved with the Christmas Day message incident but still had to endure the rath of the Rochdale Road End. I’m convinced that’s why we are not playing to the Rochdale Road end whe available. Maybe just making the playoffs and the possibility of getting to Wembley via away games would be a blessing in disguise.

Singularly, quite a lot of very mediocre players are able to hide in a decent side and get away with it. Unfortunately, over the last 2yrs we have acquired almost a team of mediocrity. The clear out at the end of the season can’t come quickly enough. Today was pretty much as bad as I’ve seen this season at Boundary Park.

Yes. I'm also a season ticket holder

Yes, I agree. Youngsters have been starved of any success for years. I have adult grandchildren who have only known struggle and a couple of 15 and 17 year olds who have only witnessed the present disastrous, downward spiral. Weirdly, I was quite comfortable in League 2 on the cusp of a decent team and very regular visits from Division 1 and Premier League big boys falling on hard times. Oh, the joy. Who knows how long the Rothwell's will be around but for the time being they are a perfect fit and in my view we have now hired the best manager for our clubs situation. Happy days around the corner, including tomorrow.

Long haul I’ll be 78 this year. I’ve already done one long haul - mid 50s to mid 80s. I haven’t got bloody time for another long haul. Quick as possible please.

Excellent signing and pedigree for this league and L2. I wouldn’t mind betting Mellon has a right footed, cut above this league, midfielder in mind with maybe different attributes. A strong midfield will take pressure of the defence and can only benefit the front with a much better service.

Mellon will be doing plenty of 'pointing' come May.

Thank you

I would imagine it’s permanent. If anything, whatsoever, happened to Frank his family would automatically take over his authority. I wouldn’t expect Joe Royle to be in the same financial health as Frank. But Joe would be a real positive on the Board of Directors.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mellon is focused only on recruiting from the EFL. You would have thought if he really wanted someone in our present orbit he would have gone after them by now, especially for our woeful midfield.

Punishment for the banter about training yesterday.

I agree. We need to get into the playoffs. Mellon, while moving us forward, has now assessed the squad he inherited. I expect he now has a idea of which players he can work with and positions he would like to strengthen in the new year to achieve the playoffs. That’s the target, and I’m hoping we hit it running. Mellon is doing fine and has just the experience needed to manoeuvre us into position calmly. Never forgetting it’s football.

Is it possible everyone down there thinks someone else has told us - when no one has