Theoutsider

Agree with you and your original point and thought it was actually before the sending off. I know it is easier to play when the opposition back off (which they did) but first half (as most games) there is no intention to play football. Defenders don’t go wide or come short to receive the ball, Hudson slows it down, everyone disappears up the pitch and there is the inevitable hoof forward. That didn’t happen from half time. I’m convinced it is Mellons tactics, and whoever plays in midfield is inevitably going to look awful as the ball spends all its time sailing over their head. They are professional footballers, they are perfectly capable of passing a ball. Gardner & Conlon played most of their careers at much higher levels. Lundstram played in an Altrincham team that move the ball. Hammond has been at Forest since he was 8 (or something) don’t accept they can’t play football properly.

Staff numbers up by by 22 which maybe explains the “lies”?

Not looked at the accounts for Oldham Event Centre then…

What did you think of the performance of their number 5. The one you thought we should have signed?

If you like that sort of thing, there is a really good podcast series, Beyond the 92. Liam Hogan has been on it, but basically two current National League players interview another NL player. The keeper was on it a few weeks ago, funny story about Norwood winding him up included.

Makes more money from social media than football….. 4.6 million TikTok followers

Mellon should take this share of responsibility for that because tactically he got it wrong, or at least didn’t adapt. they deliberately pushed on to stop the outlet of the wing backs which worked well on Tuesday. there was no need for 3xCB and he changes he made should have happened a lot sooner, even if pushing McGahey into midfield in the first half if he didn’t want to sub him, it was obvious what was happening

Players brought in to play Rhinoball and can’t play how Mellon wants them to? Unsworth wanted seemingly a no press counter attack; some success away from home when opposition have possession. When we have the ball and need do something with it some of the players we have are not comfortable with that style. Doesn’t explain Gateshead though which based on the above theory should have been right up our street. Can’t fancy Willoughby or Fondop given he has brought Stones in who plays ahead of them as soon as he has come in. Nuttall immediately bombed out, Shelton, Dickenson, Freeman, Ward not featuring and deemed not good enough? Hopefully get a couple of these out, some players in the mould he wants and things will start looking up. Surely we are not a million miles away…

Which four players would you be replacing?

Second half his starting position was a lot higher up the pitch and was playing as a wingback. I really like him and he is both one of our better players and attacking outlets, but from what I’ve seen my opinion is he is better as a fullback.

Doesn’t even need to be a wing back for me. An attacking right back (a right footed Kitching basically) would provide width and allow us to play with an extra central midfield to help get control of the ball.

Yeah, only problem is, there wouldn’t have been a road to go down if Abdallah was still here.

Sums it up for me. It’s not just about this season, there is nothing to suggest he’s going to turn it round, he’s not the right man and unfortunately as it is, as stability would be good, he needs to be moved on.

I was replying as though you were BP1960 and a Dan Gardner fan

I expected to have improved in pre-season with better quality players having been brought in, went to the Mansfield friendly as was deflated as felt it was the same rubbish. Was almost dreading Saturday as expected it to be the turgid rubbish that has been on display. Like you say, intent is key, with the quality of players we have (relatively speaking) don’t see why we cant take the game to the majority of opponents we play. More like Saturday please Mr Unsworth, there is no reason why not.

Is it the formation do you think or the tactics? Or combination of both? Saturday the midfield was 10-yards further forward and we mixed up some direct stuff with football on the floor, as opposed to constant hoof ball. Don’t think it is any coincidence Nuttall was miles better with a different style of play.

As opposed to against Southend on on Saturday, goals two and four are pathetic, we just stand off and let them play!

We don’t even try and play and that must be how they are instructed. Watch what happens when Norman gets the ball. Defenders make no attempt to come short, it’s is punted up the field, Nuttall largely doesn’t win it (not sure that’s his game) we don’t win the second ball, opposition have possession, rinse and repeat. The whole team sits so much deeper than the opposition, invites pressure on instead of hunting the ball. Don’t buy the fact players aren’t capable, being instructed to play this way, it’s awful to watch and does them no favours as individuals either. Same all of last lesson, same against Mansfield and seemingly same today.

Fair point, for them it did work can’t disagree. Don’t think either of our centre halves could deal with him yesterday and he did cause problems for sure. I don’t know enough about Nuttall other than the home games he has played for us, but not sure he is that type of player anyway?

I’ve no idea if they can create or not. Norman gets the ball, waves everyone forward and punts it to Fondop or Nuttall. Majority of the time centre half wins the header, we lose the second ball because we don’t press and possession is the back with opposition, rinse and repeat. Not a dig at Norman either, long ball seems to be the tactic, it’s shite to watch and isn’t working. How often in a game do we string 5-passes together? Not having it that it’s down to ability, they are professional footballers we’ve played in theory lesser opponents with lesser players who don’t need to do that, so why do we?

In fairness to Chapman and Tollitt, don’t think either has a hope in hell of performing as they might when the spends most of its time in the air sailing over their heads.

Thanks for the reply earlier The whole thing is a mess and whilst if Abdallah is having health issues (reading in between the lines) I obviously have sympathy, there is a lot of things that are very much of his making. If he had been honest from the start, open with people then I am sure people would’ve continued to support whilst he tried to unravel the North Stand fiasco. Instead he has annoyed the majority of the fan base and created countless other issues. Agree though, they FLG/OEC haven’t caused any of this and are just caught in the cross fire; it’s business, stop being petty if it relates purely to personality and just do what is right.

Thanks to you and Matt for all your time and efforts @lookersstandandy I listen most weeks and enjoyed a slightly different perspective. I have had some past professional dealings with Shahed and was not that impressed if I am honest, but my opinion has changed a bit after today. Any reflections from you and Matt? Does it change anything? Made you think differently about the whole situation with the club?

Oh absolutely, why didn’t he want to stay? Because of the absolute bandits that are in charge of the club. Why on earth would he want to come back? He knew what was coming, he applied for a job at Bury over staying at Oldham!