wiseowl

A mate has lived there 12 years and teaches in one of the universities. Says, in no particular order... Armada, Falklands War, lager louts, loose women on holiday, Henry VIII, English pirates stealing "their" gold (which they had just nicked from South America) and Gibraltar. Other than that - they love us

Apparently so. I was offered "a line" in the away end toilets by a nice gentleman (!) - he really was dead pleasant. I politely declined and he then went onto tell me how they'd "done Bolton" at a pre-arranged fight at or near Horwich Train Station from memory. Now, I don't condone violence but I must admit to having had an underlying feeling of "good, well done" - simply because Bolton's thugs were absolutely horrible bastards in the past. That might make me a bad person I know but I`m only being honest.

Back to the footy... I`m going to stick my neck out a little here and say that IF we get a couple of decent signings (and steer clear of injuries to key players), I think we could go the rest of the season unbeaten. Who knows how that might end? We've not lost since DU's departure (speaks volumes) - invest now and we could reap huge dividends.

Again, find myself agreeing. I know of a successful accountant who likes nothing better than to have a "recreational" snort every now and then - and a good, old tear up at the football. Completely crazy in my view but Lags is quite correct.

This. Some of the stuff I`ve read on here is way ott. It was a cracking derby game, real buzz about the place and, yes, a few herberts did cause a bit of minor trouble. Largely, very enjoyable and well done to the team for recovering from 2-2. Nail biting stuff waiting for that final whistle though.

It better be because meeting a friend at 1030am to set off to Dale - come on Latics!

Agreed. I also get what people are saying about the "rivalry". Rochdale is undoubtedly a derby but I have a soft spot for the place as I eat a lot of curry on Milkstone Road - best for many miles around. It's a bit like when we used to play Stockport - big day out for us but their fans never got it and didn't bring many to ours. For pure animosity you will never beat our derbies with Bolton (Blackburn a close second) in the past. That said, I was once in Wrexham when Shrewsbury were playing them. Never seen such a group of big, hard lads as the crew Shrewsbury took there - who'd have thought it?! Not massive numbers but you wouldn't have wanted to mess with them - and they certainly pasted Wrexham's thugs that day.

Ok, monumental cock-up regarding DU's appointment. In my opinion, ST and Redders can count themselves unlucky not to have been given a go (and I think there is more to that than meets the eye, again just my opinion) but happy to get behind Latics 100% under a new manager who has decent credentials. Onwards and upwards. I think he will get more patience from fans, simply because he does have a good track record and will know what to do to put things right on the pitch.

Well... technically no... it was in the beer garden

FWIW the person I was chatting to on Sunday said the exact opposite i.e. someone with experience further up the footballing chain was desired.

Agree - I thought Redfearn was a very good midfield player for us.

Or could it be that the previous "bad blood" between JR and NR had re-surfaced? They had a big fallout prior to NR's famous penalty to win us the title:- "In his autobiography he says that he did not especially care about Oldham's situation, and that he only wanted to score to toss two more fingers at his manager Joe Royle, who had stopped picking him. Indeed Redfearn had asked for a transfer two days earlier, and the penalty would be his last kick for Oldham. It was a fitting twist for a man who would become the first occupant of English football's mezzanine level, the house for those not good enough for the Premier League and too good for the Championship."

I heard on Sunday evening that there is disagreement at board level - and possibly some friction. Didn't get the impression it was too dramatic but along the lines that there is/has been an agreement in place that "footballing decisions" would be made by "football people" and "business decisions" would be made by "business people". Now normally, you'd say the appointment of a new manager would fall into the category of a "footballing decision" BUT when, as a business man, you've just had to throw away Lord knows how much money to pay off the previous manager and his sidekick (presumably appointed by the "football people"?) you can start to see how the lines become blurred and some friction might result. It'll get sorted soon no doubt. People simply need to make the right decision for the good of the club's future success on the pitch.

I take it that was tongue in cheek? He's no right back.

I think Frank placed all his trust in others to look after the footballing side of things. He was badly let down. It won't happen again.

A very poor team performance. Hobson was great and I thought Fondop did well when he came on. He won plenty of headers but nobody even looking to feed off them. Norwood awful, gave the ball away too frequently. We are suffering badly from having had a year with a poor manager and it's not going to get resolved overnight. ST is doing reasonably well with what he has but what he has just isn't good enough. Wasted a lot of money via the DU disaster - going to have to fork out a lot more now. Frank isn't happy.

It was tongue in cheek Lags

Let's hope no club gets taken over by a former snooker player - and then gets in the mire

Hmmm - it was Worcester Owl you were responding to eyresy. I`d like to change my name to "Lame Duck" as fluffy keeps taking my current name literally - I don't think we can change names though?

That's a fair point you make yarddog. I have observed over recent years a tendency for any negative (realistic?) comments to be drowned out by the "we are always positive" types. It's yet another american import and most companies have sent their employees on "positive mental attitude" etc. courses over the years. Most employees sit there like nodding dogs and accept it all without question. I remember being on a mind-numbing 3 day course once and the course facilitator (on about 5 grand a day - no wonder he was always ferkin positive!) had apparently convinced everyone in the room (including the MD) bar me that if the company just followed his mantra, they would be number 1 and have competitive advantage over their dozen or so competitors. It was his way which made the difference; there was no other. I simply queried in response, "So if our dozen or so competitors all come on this same course, ignoring the fact that you'll be coining it in, who has the competitive advantage then? Who becomes number one?" He didn't have an answer of course because there are many other factors involved than just "being positive". Often, constantly "being positive" can be a major failing because people don't see the blindingly obvious in front of their eyes. We saw this regarding the "Unsworth effect" - it was like the emperor's new clothes at times. Dualism is the key; where there is dark there is light. For every summer, there's winter. There's immense good and terrible evil. There's positive... and there's negative. It's always been that way and it always will. So, keep up your observations because they are valid. The "constantly positive" types are just as imbalanced as the constantly negative ones (and you aren't one of those because I have seen positive posts from you too). Long-winded I know and I`ll get slaughtered by the usual people - but just wanted to give you a little backing

Spot on. First half they looked nothing. Anybody can look good when you constantly back off and give them room to look like a non-league Pele. That second half was a shocker. Only re-inforces for me that something has been seriously wrong with the fitness regime all season - we look knackered.

Guilty your honour! (regarding Norwood). I did caveat the comment with something like "call me crazy" but we're just not utilising him correctly at the moment and we are short of a creator in midfield. I think he might perform very well on the right side of midfield. Just thought it worth a try if we are not prepared to invest presently in anyone else (which I suspect we won't until people are offloaded).

You can call me crazy but (in the absence of a new signing) I`ll throw it out there having given it considered thought. For the next few games I would play Norwood in midfield. He's creative with the ball, retains it well and drives forward. Could be an excellent supply line for whoever we decide to combine up top. Hopefully, he'll also chip in with a few himself. Presently not getting the best out of him in my opinion, so try something different.

No denying that was a very poor showing at home. Two particular things baffled me :- 1) Why does the keeper constantly aim it towards a little huddle of players somewhere out to the left - who very rarely win it (that's if it doesn't go straight out of play !). Very basic - try another option FFS. 2) Why is Norwood being wasted chasing around in midfield or firing crosses in from the wing? I was content with a point away on Saturday - certainly not content with a point at home tonight; that said they were by far the better team 2nd half.

Agree we need to settle on a preferred starting striker combination for a while - give them chance to gel. Enough options from the bench if things not going to plan (and don't rule out Fondop as a very effective sub striker).