wiseowl

At the risk of repeating myself - we won't go down in spite of Unsworth but that's missing the point completely. He has shown no signs whatsoever of being the manager capable of bringing back even a modicum of success on the playing front. It's just foolish sticking with him because the next manager will "want his own people" etc. and we have to splash out all over again. Get rid of the incompetent DU and have a proper process to recruit the next fella ASAP. Might cost us short term on paying off the silly contracts we dished out on the ex-Everton mob but it will certainly pay dividends in the long term - which is what it's all supposed to be about isn't it? They are losing my "pay on the day" money every week now because I refuse to be bored to death watching his drivel any longer - I have little doubt more fans will do similar the longer this goes on. It's all so bloody sad after the euphoria of saving the club. We want a feel good factor around the place and only a winning mentality will create that - DU clearly doesn't have one.

Quite correct - and it's depressing. The small group I used to go to Latics with have all dropped by the wayside over the years i.e. one died and the rest have just stopped going. Consequently, I now go to be entertained solely by the football (whereas in the past it was just good to catch up with friends even when the football was bobbins). Unsworth's "brand" of football bores me - so I decided to take a break, hoping he'd be gone sooner rather than later. He's clearly going nowhere. Conversely, he's clearly taking us nowhere either - this season or next. I have a decision to make.

From what I hear from a usually reliable source, FR has entrusted JR fully with "football stuff". The "business stuff" is looked after elsewhere.

...and I`ve always said we won't get relegated this season, despite DU being manager. The major worry here is that, whatever the medium term ambitions, DU is clearly not the man to take us forward on the playing front. It's a false economy holding onto him as, when they do finally get rid, a new manager will want all his own players again - and the purse has to be opened again.

No, not at all. It wasn't supposed to be like this - if it was, then they would have been better off sticking with Shez (and I know he was not the long - or even medium term - answer). The quandary they now have is how to get rid of a clearly inept manager without it causing a huge rumpus with the likes of Joe Royle.

I am fluffy, yes. Just not enjoying it at all quite frankly under DU - the style of play is atrocious to watch. Like I`ve said before, I`m older and wiser now and won't keep wasting money on something I don't enjoy - just out of blind loyalty. It's something I did very often in past years (think Dave Penney!) but not any more. I`ll be back - when the football is enjoyable again.

Harry Vaughan. What a strange and, quite frankly, very short-sighted decision to let him go. Are we strapped for cash or something? Manchester City were very impressed with him and I`m told the only reason they didn't sign him was because of their absolute plethora of talent already. He's been capped at under 19s level internationally and will play at the top level. As you know, I think DU is a poor manager; and this is just further confirmation. We have an utterly shite midfield - so we sell a gem of a player who will only blossom in the future. I accept what some say regarding his build - he will fill out. Utter stupidity. Aghast at what is going on on the "footballing" front presently - someone needs to get a grip.

Lol - novel idea! Give DU a bell - he obviously hasn't "stumbled" on this cunning plan to outwit the illustrious opposition.

Laughed when I read this. I remember being on a "leadership/management" course when I was in my 40's. The trainer was one of those annoying "positivity moves mountains" type (an Aussie) and tried to convince me that I could have been Wimbledon Champion if only I`d set my mind to it when I was 14 years old. Absolute utter shite - I loved playing tennis but my mate used to beat me 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 every time I played him at Greenfield - and he didn't even make the school team! You are right, it's utter bollocks - another worldwide export from the USA originally - but it is amazing how many people spout such shite.

Wobbles head in disbelief - wtf is going on?

Genuinely all the best, Chaddy with your health issues. You'll be back !

He said flattered to be fair.

Thanks for that - superb - and Jimmy Case was nowhere near the touchline lol! Glad I`m not a key witness in a historic murder case!

I think DU's only realistic chance now is to make good use of our "prayer room" - perhaps divine intervention can stop the rot?

Jeez I remember that match as if it was yesterday! Was sat in the side stand with thousands of Latics' fans when Jimmy Case received the ball out on the touchline, not too far down from the halfway line from memory. He then smashed it at one million miles per hour and scored an astonishing goal from range. Was so proud when David Shaw scored too (my co-favourite ever player along with Alan Groves). Happy days indeed!

Checked the web and it was `77 joe. With regard to fans, all I remember as a relatively young lad is Latics hooligans having a running battle after the match with, who my dad referred to, as the "Moss Side Cool Cats". I just remember bricks flying everywhere - it was pretty scary as a young lad. So I don't think it was Northwich fans being bastards - it was the late 70s City thugs on the scene.

Carl Valentine - loved him. From memory, came on as a sub against Northwich Vics when we played them at Maine Road in 3rd round of the FA Cup way back (end of 70s?). Demolished them single-handedly with his speed down the left wing. Gutted when he went to Canada.

Spot on. Unless the 3 year deal has some kind of "break clause" at 12 months (or at season end) depending on league position etc. then it was naive in the extreme to give him 3 years. Your first loss is your least loss, as they say - negotiate and pay him off please. If his backroom boys are also on unbelievable 3 year deals, it's going to be quite costly. You can imagine the scenario where fractures might appear in the Royle/Rothwell relationship as well, which would be sad but maybe inevitable.

PMSL - best thing that could happen is to lose the lot of them. What the hell have they achieved collectively? I would bet the team would get better results in the absence of DU and his esteemed staff.

"Where were you, where were you, where were you at Grosvenor Vale.... where were you at Grosvenor Vale?" Would never class myself as a fairweather fan - spent tens of thousands over the decades following us here, there and everywhere under managers good and bad. I accept to a degree the point made but I suppose I am now older and wiser. The board are fast losing credibility in my eyes by sticking by a dud in DU. So, until their credibility is fully restored, I`m staying away. If that makes me fairweather - so be it. To answer someone else's point, if the next manager is as shit as DU, I`ll probably give up altogether as I have better things to waste my money on. Truth is DU was hired simply because of the "Everton old boys' network" - that will not happen again.

Exactly why I am boycotting from here. It's the only thing that has an affect i.e. don't waste your hard earned money on this ferkin tripe. Surely Frank and Joe can't continue to let blind loyalty cloud their judgement - can they?

I am afraid so. As life goes on, I have learnt to spend my money wisely (he says having spent hundreds following us in non-league ) - and don't like people "taking the piss". Unsworth is taking said liquid - so no more from me. Seriously fluffy - even you must see how inept this fella is?

After my lengthy boycott under the previous owner, I have spent a small fortune following us under Frank home and away. Under DU I have witnessed several of the worst performances I have ever seen from a latics team. I have now reached the decision that I am boycotting again - until they get rid of this fraud of a manager. Not a penny more until he's gone. The board have to see sense at some point surely?

Pidge - a mediocre player in an appalling team/squad. It's not about hate, it's about a realistic view of a squad/team that was relegated to the non-league ranks. Simple as that really. I thought Pidge was very ordinary - at best.