nzlatic

It was staggering. And this is the thing I’m getting at @yarddog73 - I’m not saying Norwood is faultless. I just think he’s been let down by so many in that team. And as for how he deals with that, it might be wrong and might upset his teammates but at least it shows he cares to some degree. Otherwise he wouldn’t kick off at them. So I don’t get why he gets the boos and the chants about being a waste of money when there are so many others who clearly couldn’t give enough of a fuck. Garner had the same problem - won a lot of battles tonight but so often the midfield was 20 yards behind him so it was futile.

100% this. It’s just wasted breathe/typing for all those crying for him to be sacked. Surely for those who do think he should be sacked, you also think major changes are needed to the team? Or do you think Mellon is the main problem?

I think I heard Norwood get jeered when he held the ball up out wide but then lost it because there was no one within 30 yards. Again, neatly summarising our problem - a total lack of desire from too many in the team. But sure, let’s hound out the top scorer who makes an effort because he’s having a lean spell.

One big positive to take from tonight… only a day and a half before the season is officially over.

We have far more deep rooted problems than just this of course, but it’s a shame Green got injured a few weeks ago. He’s probably the only player on the books who attacks with pace.

Wondering where it all went wrong with our play off bid then see Hogan, Sheron, McGahey and Sutton trying to pass it between them and set up an attack.

Was Norwood just booed on?

We just looked desperate to get to half time. Retreated until the inevitable.

Saved by the flag. How was there no pressure on that cross?

He went off injured on Saturday so I presume not recovered enough. Looked like he jarred his knee or something like that.

What a cracking finish. Get in! Good example of our issues a bit before when Dallas broke away, commentators mentioned the lack of Oldham players joining the break.

Yet again ref lets a wild foul go. He’ll have the card out the first time any of ours do something similar.

We haven’t won in 9. Be interested to hear who should be playing to make us more likely to win.

We play again 38 hours after the final whistle. I’m not surprised to see a bit of a shuffle.

I'm not talking about fans forums, I don't think they really do anyone any favours. Apart from the cricket club one which was gold. The club has a captive online audience and a summer with no football being played. A comms expert would work out a way to use that to start building some sort of relationship between managers/players and fans. Speculation on my part though this, I am not a comms expert, or even a comms anything. But I think there's an opportunity to do something that can have a positive effect and build up some momentum/excitement ahead of next season.

They've had no issue increasing the number of champions league games they play over the last few years. Funny that.

I agree. It often gets said that we're no different than other clubs in this regard but I don't believe that. We have had a far worse time of it than pretty much any other club over the last 30 years (unless you want to count ones going bust). So that makes it understandable that there's a more toxic element among our fans than others. What I think the club needs to do is understand that and look at ways it can try to help things. It's too passive just to say it'll be fine once results pick up. What could the club be doing over the summer to try and improve the relationship between club, players, management and fans for example? This isn't a 'fans fault' post. It's trying to acknowledge what we've been through as a fan base and understand the anger on the terraces over things not being better than they are yet. And everyone (eg club/fans/oasf) trying to proactively do something about it rather than just wait for us to win.

Sounds like despite all the changes, the red card and not having a keeper in goal for the 2nd half Gateshead still could have got something out of that game. Looking at the remaining fixtures I'd say your biggest threat to getting 7th is us losing tonight! Although I'll remain hopeful we can stay in the hunt against all the odds.

It’s not being diplomatic. Just stated some facts. Apart from the bit about his salary which was a guess.

He’s only 27, has played in a couple of different positions, has been promoted twice from this league, was loved by Hartlepool fans and I can’t imagine he’ll be on a massive salary. It’s not worked out for him here at all but I’d be surprised if he’s still here by August.

If Couto is a cheap back up it might be an opportunity to test him tomorrow if Kitching hasn’t recovered from the injury.

I’m coming up for my first home game since early last season on Saturday. I’m really desperate for there to be something on that game. Even if it’s the longest of longshots!

Technically don’t need that to happen although it would be better if they did. If aldershot win tomorrow it’s still up for grabs on Saturday if they lose then. And Halifax don’t win.

I remember a story a while ago about our manager (possibly Wellens) travelling south on a Tuesday night to watch a game and getting pelters because he apparently should have been in Oldham training our players to play better. At 7.45 on a Tuesday night

It’s quite unbelievable given how little of the season we’ve been in or near the play offs and that we haven’t won in 9 games, that there’s still a small chance of us getting in. Ridiculous really. We should be well out of it. I’m starting to think Southend have a very good shot at 7th. The biggest obstacle is probably them needing us not to lose to Halifax!