wiseowl

It was a wonderful tribute and I spoke to an Athletico who explained how some of them had spent hours rigging everything up. The youth of today often get a bad press but I think the Athleticos are wonderful and a really positive aspect of OAFC - well done lads and thank you.

2 hours ago, BP1960 said:

 

Fondop almost scored after he came on with a good piece of skill and for the first time unsettled their 2 big centre backs.

Start him with Norwood and let's see if we can unsettle defences from the off.

He's not as effective when he's on from the start BP. Didn't have enough time, though, yesterday to make his impact but, again, you could clearly see he ruffled them for sure. Half hour as an impact sub for me in games like yesterdays.

2 hours ago, Monty Burns said:

6418 (45)

Astonished. As someone else has said, attendance looked well down - me and my mate both said about 5,500.

34 minutes ago, Worcester Owl said:

If only you would give up. Resorting to personal insults now, always a giveaway . As has been pointed out, you also drag a defeat in a Cup game away to a team a league higher into your statistical comparison. Well done. 

 

I also note that "regression" has now become "initial regression" which I guess at least acknowledges that MM's tenure as manager has barely started. Come back to me with your views on him when he's got, say, at least a dozen games under his belt. Might be a touch fairer, possibly?

Personal insults - give over. You were the one jumping on me with your hyperbole. We essentially agree! Give MM some time - I was merely making observations along the way; as you do with footy. It's not exactly been "new manager bounce" has it? Again, we DID at least get that with ST. Shall we agree to draw a line under it now? Sorry if you genuinely felt insulted by the "drama queen" reference. My son has, in fact, told me that nowadays, it's politically frowned upon anyway and I should say, "drama Llama" apparently.

14 hours ago, rudemedic said:

Newport at home would be favourites against every National League side, with the possible exception of Chesterfield. They'd win 75% of those games.

 

But yes carry on using a cup game against a team in a higher league as a comparison.

Meanwhile, you conveniently ignore the thrashing by lowly Fylde - possibly the worst performance I`ve ever seen from a Latics team (eclipsing Alty away last season). If ST had have been in charge for that match, I think the reaction would have been far more negative and vociferous. Newport was an insipid performance too.

I`ll repeat again, rude, MM has my full support but he's surely not immune from observation? There has been an initial regression. The defence is suddenly letting more goals in and we are losing games. We weren't under ST.

I genuinely expect a very strong home performance this weekend. MM/Brabin have now had time to have a real good look at what they have got and to stamp their authority on the squad (they seem that type). Upwards and onwards.

A big thank you to all involved.

20 hours ago, Worcester Owl said:

 

You said "there's no doubt we have regressed under MM (as against ST/Redders)". No doubt? Really? Well let's see. ST was in charge for six games and his three wins came against the three teams currently propping up the NL. He then drew three, two of which were against teams only a few places higher. By contrast MM has had three league games - three - two of which were against teams in the top 10, including a local derby. It became clearer with every game that ST and NR were not about to effect a miraculous transformation in performances. 

 

To talk of a guy "regressing" after three games is utter nonsense. As for your comment that "you can sense the seeds of discontent being sown already", if that's true, it says more about some of our fans than it does about MM. More likely, you're gaslighting.

I give up. I don't even know what gaslighting is and can't be bothered to look it up. ST was unbeaten in 6 - MM has lost 2 out of 4. 

I support MM and that needs no further clarification because I gave a lengthy response previously. You clearly enjoy being a drama queen.

2 hours ago, League one forever said:

Andy and Jaime hit the nail on the head.
 

Bar Chesterfield and Barnet this league is dire.
 

DU had us in the bottom four at Christmas, we had a run and finished top half. 
 

DU had us in bottom four at the start of the season, ST won a few and we shot up the league. 
 

The squad does need tweaking. But  never underestimate how shit you can be and finish 7th. 

Spot on - put a few mini runs together (i.e. 5 or 6 unbeaten) and you're right in the mix. Then just need another mini-run in the playoffs - bingo. We sometimes make this simple game far too complex, with silly recruitment structures, coaches for this, that and the other etc. We're playing a basic game at a basic level and with our resources, we should be successful.

7 hours ago, Worcester Owl said:

Absolutely unbelievable. He's been in charge for all of three games and you're already laying into him. Maybe we and MM should be grateful you weren't questioning him after the first match. Oh hang on, we won that one. 

Calm down fellow wise bird! Laying into him? What are you on about? I think he will turn out well for us. This is often the problem with social media - people can mis-interpret what you say. You've certainly exhibited the art of hyperbole in your response. 

I'`ve always said DU was poor and that any half-decent manager would get a decent tune out of this squad. My mate fluffy has raised the issue a few times now, that perhaps the players are just crap and it wasn't all down to DU's management. I was pondering the point as there could be something in it. I then explained that we'd had considerable unsettlement behind the scenes (i.e. DU and his assistant, then Paul Murray, then MM, then Brabin) in a very short space of time. In other words, it might take a little while for MM to steady the ship after all the rapid changes.

Some fans I speak to ARE already not happy and say we should have stuck with ST and Redders until the end of the season. Personally, I have supported MM in my responses to them but I can understand their sentiments. So, MM has my full support but there's no doubting the sense (from some) of wanting to see a change in our play soonest.

Personally, I think we've had a shit show around managers and interims, ever since John Sheridan was publicly backed following the takeover. We then had the expensive acquisition of the ex-Everton boys, stayed loyal to them for too long, had a big fall out with ST and Redders (who did a good interim job for us) and now have MM and Brabin.

We've always craved stability - and, boy, do we need to have it for a while now. So, to clarify Worcester - MM has my support. It is however a board of opinions - and some people don't have the same as me - or you. 

From memory, after the defeat at Fylde, MM was lamenting that we lacked "running" in the team and after Saturday's defeat, we couldn't "pass the ball". That augurs well for the future doesn't it!

16 hours ago, Steve_R said:

I’m guessing he’s saying that when Unsworth was here they were decent players who should be doing better, and it was all Unsworth’s fault that we weren’t.

Now, they are shit players who are playing to the max of their ability, whoever the manager is.

14 hours ago, mcfluff1985 said:

Correct. The view of many on here. Now the problem that was DU has left, its just all the players

It's a fair point that mcluff has raised.

For me, the fact we instantly went on an 8 game unbeaten run (including 5 wins) when DU was dismissed, spoke volumes. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to see how that would continue as we then binned ST/Redders after 6 of those games, Paul Murray held the reins for 1 (so essentially another ST/Redders victory) and MM won his first at Rochdale.

In other words, we've had a period of considerable unsettlement behind the scenes and that rarely bodes well. Presently, there's no doubt we have regressed under MM (as against ST/Redders). I`m trusting he will sort things sooner rather than later, though. He really needs to do because you can sense the seeds of discontent being sown already amongst some fans when chatting generally.

18 hours ago, Guy Branston Pickle said:

Fondop's only contribution this season is a red card against Solihull. Cannot believe anyone would want to play him above Norwood. He's painfully average and a liability 

I certainly would never play him ahead of Norwood. For me Fondop should become our "super sub" for the rest of the season (as David Fairclough was for Liverpool). Use him, when appropriate, for the last half hour and let him unleash his power. Nothing to lose, because other options aren't really coming off at the moment. 

I don't think Norwood is a problem at all. Our fundamental issues remain in midfield. Probably be castigated for this but I`ve been disappointed with Lundstram thus far. Not done very much after all the hype about him.

We need a Wellens type midfielder - in fact a couple - who can weave a bit of magic and thread balls through to feet for Norwood; who will more than not, then find the back of the net. I`m fine with Sheron in midfield (a proper workhorse) but he needs complementing with creative players around him.

As for Fondop - I really do think we miss a trick here. Superb to bring on with half hour left. He's like a wrecking ball that doesn't half upset central defenders and will create plenty of havoc for a) Norwood to feed off and b) bag a few himself.

If we can offload Shelton, Nuttall and a couple of fringe players then just maybe we could find the funds to secure a couple of midfield gems.

Lastly, I hope MM finds his feet sooner rather than later because, prior to his appointment, I thought we were doing okay with ST at the helm and instantly unbeaten in 6 games. I couldn't see any issues with giving him longer to see how it panned out. Suddenly, everything seemed quite rushed and him and NR were gone. Clearly some internal issues.

MM has our full backing but he needs to get a settled side and stamp his authority and style on it pretty rapidly. Our performances under him have been quite erratic to date.

1 hour ago, BP1960 said:

 

Well any manager worth his salt should find at least 4 better players immediately.

Let's see if he does.

There's a bit of a problem there, BP (from what I hear). Under the new owner it was apparently agreed that "football people" would look after the football side of things. The infrastructure created around that is expensive. The "football people" chose DU et al - a very expensive lesson and the club stagnated during DU's tenure on the playing side.

Money is pouring out of the door - something needs to change to balance the books (a cup run would have been nice!). So, unless players are leaving, there won't be much room for manouevre.

FR is our saviour, no doubt - it's the "football people" that have massive question marks over them.

8 hours ago, Worcester Owl said:

 makes you wonder why the BBC ever bothered to make Crimewatch. 

 

Perish the thought that the police might ask for the public's help.

Crimewatch? Seriously? We`ll agree to differ. Personally think there is a mountain of serious crime for the police to detect rather than pursuing a few lads running onto some grass in Derbyshire.

Reminds me of the time Essex Police told an organisation that they didn't have the resources to investigate a series of lorry hi-jackings involving £000,000s. That very same week they had an Inspector and 2 lower ranking officers at a "hate crime" conference during which the criminality (or not) of hate crimes targetted at ginger- haired people was discussed at length. 

Priorities please.

13 hours ago, Worcester Owl said:

Ah ok so if I drive at 100mph down the motorway without a seatbelt and nobody gets hurt, that makes it ok I guess. Thanks for the clarification.

No not at all... but I wouldn't expect the police to put still shots of you, not wearing your seatbelt, on social media to try and get someone to grass on you.

On 10/27/2023 at 2:38 PM, Worcester Owl said:

It is I believe a criminal offence as @yarddog73 says - under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 to go onto the pitch without lawful authority or lawful excuse so…….
Well done Derbyshire police therefore. Every time a pitch invasion happens players and officials, never mind other fans, risk getting injured. I’m sick of the narcissistic louts who do it and hope anyone who breaks the law in this fashion is punished.

Can't agree. Not as if anyone was injured etc is it? The bloody police file some rape cases NFA with less investigation than this. Joke in my view. Put resources where they are needed more please.

2 hours ago, mcfluff1985 said:

So it wasn't Unsworth then...

I think everyone agrees (?) that DU was not up to the job (but I get the point Mcfluff is making). In the year he was in charge he never had an 8 game unbeaten run. The minute he goes (and with exactly the same squad) we instantly go on an 8 game unbeaten run. 

Last night was an aberration and MM was visibly shell-shocked in his post match. I can't see him letting that happen again, so hopefully back to winning ways and let's aim for the play-offs.

We'd all feel far more comfortable with a proper RB (Freeman must now be a lost cause?) and another midfielder but whether the budget is there now, who knows?

12 hours ago, south east latic said:

Some comments on here after Rochdale suggesting we’d go unbeaten for the rest of the season were laughable.  

Guilty as charged, your honour!

I was a bit giddy after Rochdale away and thought that MM had instantly instilled some much needed "steel" as all the players were really "up for it". In view of the fact we had been unbeaten in 8 games since DU's departure, and now had real fight in us, I thought great; upwards and onwards.

Unfortunately, the steel I saw turned out to be a mirage and last night it was more like liquid mercury.

As bad as any Latics performance I`ve seen. Oh dear.  

Wow. Never saw that coming. A big downside for me is that (yes already) some people are sowing seeds of doubt regarding the management! Heard several comments along the lines of "Should have kept ST and Redders until the end of the season etc."

Now, putting aside for one minute your views on the way ST/Redders were treated after steadying the ship, it's just ludicrous to be questioning the new management team. That said, if Shelton ever starts again in an Oldham shirt....

1 minute ago, Only Blue said:

By just focusing on him you are letting all the other players who are playing badly off the hook

Nope - he's terrible every time he plays. Some of the others have reasonable games sometimes. He's an absolute liability every time. 

20 minutes ago, Only Blue said:

Every outfield player is playing terrible , why just single out Shelton?

 

 

Because he's utter shite every time he plays. Should never pull an Oldham shirt on again - get rid - cancel his contract whatever - an utter liability EVERY time.

28 minutes ago, deyres42 said:

Not staying unbeaten for the rest of the season then, thanks @wiseowl , sons crying.

Sorry. Didn't see this coming tonight. 8 unbeaten and playing like schoolboys. Dreadful.

14 hours ago, Flemboy said:

Bradley's Sports Bar at the ground normally serves away fans .If not Lane End pub 10 mins walk down Weeton Road.

 

The ground is in the middle of no where with one big atand

If you go past the ground and bear left at the roundabout you can easily get to both Wesham and Kirkham - a few decent boozers there to be fair - and they'll love the custom on a Tuesday night. Dead easy to park around the streets of Wesham too. 

P.S. To clarify, Wesham is very easy walking distance to the ground, Kirkham itself is also walking distance - but about 20 minutes.

6 hours ago, Monty Burns said:

as l said recently ibcase u missed it, about 15 yr ago l was in some country with @latics22 and l had my one and only acid trip. for about 6 hours l understood absolutely everything and remembered the main bits. since then lve never paid tax

Lol - did similar on magic mushrooms once in Amsterdam - but I went on to pay a fortune in bloody tax over the years - acid it is next time