JohnnyPimp

Of course the vote centred on the congestion charge and not the TIF. If you're a driver who would be unfairly penalised by the charge, you're not going to give a flying duck about the additional buses and tram stops are you? Judging by the outcome of the vote, a lot of people felt this way. You're probably right about a future congestion charge but if it does happen I would expect the investment to be greater than it is now. If not, it would be tantamount to highway robbery and would cost a few MP's their seats at the next general election. I use public transport but voted NO. The charging zone was too damned big and alienated an awful lot of people. I was also offended by what I saw as under-handed tactics by the protagonists of the C-charge, such as allowing major water main renewal works on Oldham Road in the lead up to the vote (and Christmas) rather than schedule it for the summer months as is the norm and the complete meltdown of the rail service on the Oldham-Rochdale loop line. Never have I spent so much time waiting for :censored:ty, obsolete trains on dismal, dank and rundown railway platforms than I have during the last 2 months. Was this supposed to be time for me to reflect on the need for the TIF? If it was, then it it was successful in galvanising my negative view on the ill-thought out and poorly proposed shambles that was the C-charge. Good riddance!

My brother and I are season ticket holders but we've bought 6 tickets for the game. 2 people are now resigned to going, just got to spring the surprise on another 4!

Ah, the old 12-man team ruse! That Royle fella knew all the tricks.

Crewe have adjusted their ticket prices but Udders Felt haven't.

The teachers are work-shy fops?

According to a Leeds fan at work so it must be true.

It's late and I'm tired but this is the major bug-bear I have with the LW highlights. Other than that, remember what it used to be like before the internet!?

Ah, Michael Ricketts. Legend in his own lunch hour.

Seeing as though Boundary Park’s going to be a 3-sided fortress for some time to come, I suggest that the club seeks Lottery funding for the landscaping of the Broadway paddock. I can see it now, a 20,000 sq ft mural of flowers, themed on everyone’s favourite second team (c.1991) – Roger Palmer’s semi-final equaliser in a cascade of blue and red chrysanthemums, Gary Mc’s Everton thunderbolt in a flurry of tangerine tulips and Stitch’s slap-head in a wondrous bloom of cream roses. Main stand pensioners could shake their walking sticks at the ball boys, as they step carefully through the pansies to collect another clearance or errant pass.

You're right, the service to the front men was poor last night (with the exception of Jones' 2 assists ) and Byefield didn't look too hot, but he's obviously got quality. Seeing as he's here for the next few weeks I think COG's gonna have to be patient. I don't think there'll be too many complaints if he continues to put in super-sub performances like last night.

Brighton (h) Peterborough (a) Orient (h) Crewe (a) Carlisle (h) My resolution in the New Year is to stop reading the fixture list and guessing how many points we'll get. However, that's over a month away so I'm going for 10 points from the 5 games.

I hear what is being said about Roy being Latics through and through but he is far to quick to jump on certain players' back. After hearing his criticism of Crossley after Southend's goal on Saturday I could hear the knives being sharpened and feared the worst. However, after watching the highlights, I don't know what the hell he was talking about. I've no problem with frank assessments during the commentary but the guy is prone to dwelling on the negatives. I think he should listen to 90 minutes of his own commentary to show him the error of his ways. Just because he gets to follow Latics week in week out doesn't mean he has to be a miserable git. Oh, hang on a minute...

Shez's comment that some players are better away from home, coupled with the fact Whittaker appears to be available suggests Maher will be making way. Not that Maher's had much of a run home or away yet! Gregan in for Hazell is a given so now that it's widely accepted that Taylor is the 'best left-ginger in the division' TM, the only other possible change is Smalley for Liddell. On the basis that we don't play again for 10 days, I'm plumping for Liddell. Hang on, I've not re-tread the old Lomax / Eardley thread yet, so here goes - I think Eardley is a far more accomplished player than Lomax but I don't see any reason to swap them over just yet. To summarise: - Crossley Lomax Gregan Stam Jones Liddell Allott Whittaker Taylor Hughes Byfield Subs bench is anyone's guess but I would like to see O'Grady on there.

Despite the fact the league is not won or lost in November, this is why this game is so important after 2 great away wins. Form-wise we're not out of the woods yet and we will undoubtedly go on another poor run so a bit of daylight between us and the chasing pack would be very welcome. *Optimism alert* If we were to make the play-offs, you'd have to fancy our chances based on our form versus the top-half teams.

I certainly don't condone the treatment Ricketts got on his return but I was at this particular game and the 'Die Ricketts, Die' chant obviously didn't touch me in quite the same way as it has JSS as I can't even remember it now. I'm sure Ricketts will have heard worse before and will probably hear worse again. Hopefully not on Tuesday night though.

Plus Taylor scored with his head! Can we have a poll on which is the most surprising?

I sincerely want him to come back to us with a bit of confidence under his belt because on his day he's one hell of a player. However, I don't think that will happen and if Stockport don't like paying decent fees, then they'll be out of the game for him. I'm sure 87.5% of this division would want an on-form Craig Davies (the 12.5% are Latics, Leeds and Leicester).

It's an obvious point that we need to kick on and beat Walsall but in terms of keeping in touch with the top 6 it's crucial. Looking at Tuesday's fixtures I don't see many points being dropped and a Craig Davies powered Stockport will be sniffing around too. Leicester v Crewe Millwall v Carlisle MK Dons v Hereford Northampton v Leeds United Stockport v Brighton Swindon v Peterborough Tranmere v Scunthorpe Plus, 11 days would be a long time on this message board if we don't win. Next match is at home to Brighton on 06/12/08!

...and if we don't I know who we can all blame for jinxing it!

Cheers Simpo! I notice that 5 of the top 6 and 3 of the bottom 4 were already in place by this stage of the season last year. Let's hope we do a Southend and Leicester do a Leyton Orient.

It is disappointing because I really thought he was going to be a big player for us this year. If he's off in January as expected, rave reviews like this should see us getting a decent fee at least.

...of the dugout and into the stands.

I can't believe how close it is at the top. Can anyone provide a link to a site showing what the table looked like at this stage last season? Hats off to the Latics 260 by the way!

Judging by his demeanour in the interview following the Cheltenham defeat, I'd recommend that TTA put their arm around him because the guy looked very fed up. Sometimes even the manager needs a pick me up. This striker situation was out of Shez's control. O'Grady looked out of his depth and a dip back in the League 2 pool was a wise move. For Davies to then go postal (allegedly), Allesandra to go missing, Smalley to go off injured and Hughes to go and do the one thing he had openly been criticised for recently was unfortunate from a manager's point of view.

Or maybe he's just got more patience than a lot of our fans.