Bristolatic

Bloody brilliant

I don't know what to say. So sad.

Jesus, Dave, that is so cruel at such a young age. Dreadful.

It appears that we have 15 or 16 players (and two of them are keepers) out in Morocco who are due back, I think, on the 15th. We play Rochdale 5 days later with nothing even approaching a squad. If those 15 or 16 are being regarded as first teamers (and let's face it, some of them are trialists), some bugger has got to act a bit sharpish to get at least another 5 or 6 in. A CB (or 2), LB, CM and 2x strikers. For God's sake, don't tell me that Detective Redfleece is dealing with it. Or are we picking up a few completely unheard of 5th division unknowns on the way home? I'm going to Forest Green, fool that I am. Do I need to take my boots?

Thinking about it, the cynical side of me wonders if said players were AL's boys or not. It just seems that there is always something that these two looneys can do to screw up the club one way or another. I've worked for one of the most detested companies in its particular sphere, but the Lemsagams can take it to a new level.

It's not a football club; it's a dictatorship. It really is a wonder anyone, in any capacity, wants to come to Latics.

Cheers, mate. I'm going to resist Hartley jokes; they'll only lead to jam and jelly puns.

Looking at the Morocco videos, it looks like we might have a goalkeeping coach. Any idea who he is and when he arrived. Also, unless I've missed it, what's happened to Mick Priest? Sacked? Walked out? Sometimes, this club of ours is like a training ground for MI5.

Can't say I've noticed him. Mind you, he was difficult to spot when he was playing.

Scored the winner at Upton Park in the League Cup. 2002? 2003?

I've had a look at his stats at Dundalk. He's hardly started a game and not always used off the bench. A bit surprising, that IMO.

Tough and solid. Didn't he once play with a broken foot?

Correct. And Red Rum never played in a Cup Final.

I'd agree with @kowenicki that the team spirit looked very good. All seemed to be gelling together. The camel looked a bit bored, though. By the way, who's the huge bloke in training gear? He was at the back on the right in the airport pic. Sefil, maybe?

At least Swailes managed the odd game.

Yep, Purdie was with us 2 years and never played once. But he was (allegedly) a midfielder, although we never actually found out. He retired at the end of the 2017/18 season after his 5th spell with Hereford (and several other non-league teams along the way).

About as much use unless something miraculous happens

I'd forgotten about McKay. Thanks for reminding me.

I'll try again just one last time. He started 3 games. He luckily scored a very badly taken penalty for his only goal. He often wasn't in the squad, but he wasn't injured as far as I know. When he was used as a sub, he looked as though he'd never played football in his life. I don't think he would have scored if the opposition had gone home. So those three starts, then not being selected followed by having zero ability when used as a sub tells me he's one of the worst we've ever had. If, by some strange quirk of fate, he turns out to be the striker we've been hankering after, I'll hold my hands up, admit I was wrong and accept he's worth having. Now, is that fair enough? Edit: FWIW, although I believe Vera is crap, Feeney was even worse

I can probably name 3 or 4, but I'll tell you who I can't see. O'Grady. Every cloud and that. Anyone spot Chris Eagles? There's some story floating around that he's training with us. And it looks like about 15 players there. Some squad that is.

From the penalty spot. And he nearly ballsed that up. How many times was he a used sub? Add that to the 3 starts and you see that he wasn't very good. Now come on shucky lad. Admit it; you're on a wind up.

Go and have a lie down in a dark room; he has.

Why isn't Warren Feeney on the list?

Knock it off, son. You've had a mild roasting for this before. Show a bit of maturity.