BP1960

Should have known it would be non constructive response from you.

How about trying Eardly as an attacking midfielder in the Kilkenny mould ? He is good running with the ball, his short passing game is ok, and he strikes the ball well. Also, with playing more central and further up the field he would be less inclined to hoof the ball. I remember many years ago Ken Knighton converting from full back to midfield, and he was a revelation. If you don't try it you will never know.

If you saw some of the poor distribution during last nights Middlesbrough v Sheffield FA cup tie I think you will come to the conclusion Trotman will cope easily cope at a higher level than Div1. He is also quicker than many Championship centre backs.

In 1960 gates were around 5,000, then overnight they rocketed to 17,000. The reason for this was a signing which captured the imagination of the public - Bobby Johnstone. He was the reason I became a Latics fan, because he provided that powerful ingredient ENTERTAINMENT, something not seen much at BP this season. In other words, capture the publics imagination and capture their hearts. Any suggestions as to who fits the Bobby Johnstone bill today ?

At 20yo and 5ft 9ins (according to wikipedia) he's not quite the big experienced target man many think is needed, but if he scores/creates goals that won't matter.

Jordan conjurs up different visions for me.

If some players were 'tired' and showed little desire at Brighton I would want to know why, anyone would think they were part time non leaguers working a full week and also on the morning of the match. I am tired - tired of when players don't put a full shift in.

Sorry, I did mean David Dowson..I notice he scored on his debut, another one missed by latics just like Sherjil McDonald..there are more out there and I will keep looking.

Also keep an eye on young Newcastle United goalkeeper Fraser Forster

Keep an eye on this young striker, yet to appear in Sunderland's first team. David Danson

I hope Latics watch out for centre backs Skiverton and Guyett at set plays, Skiverton in particular is not afraid to go in where it hurts.

I guess was destined to be a scout from since my schooldays, I was 13 years old when I recommended one of the kids in our school team for trials at a league club. He went on to become one of the most prolific goal scorers ever in the football league, and later moved into management. He's now a chief scout himself, Amazingly we only met up again a couple of years ago after over 40 years. As for me injuries curtailed my ambitions as a teenager so maybe thats why I took an interest in watching rather than competing. It's in my blood so I will still keep my eyes open for emerging talent, (I am following up at the moment on local young player in non league who has just been released by a premiership giant). Cards are being kept close to the chest with this one at the moment.

Thanks for that, I'm retired now from the professional game now, but still receive phone calls from one of my old colleagues at a Premiership club. It won't surprise many to hear they had never heard of Akinde, and these days clubs seem to be more swayed by agents than scouts. I assume someone from the Latics management checks out this fine website, if not they should certainly do so. In general loyal fans are a mine of information and more knowledgeable than given credit for. One of my recommendations from earlier this season on this board midfielder Adam Miller (the one with long hair and head band) went from non league Stevenage to Gillingham and gave a fine display I thought at Boundary park last week. There are many more talented young players out there and it was good to see Latics give a trial to Kia Nelson this week in the reserves as he looks well worth following up.

5,000 would pick Taylor on the right wing - one wouldn't.

Use your influence and get him to BP (do you get a share if they sell him) ?

I hope Latics are looking at Ebbsfleet's big strapping 18 year old centre forward John Akinde. He's already hit 7 goals since progressing from their youth team the last couple of months and has massive potential, with a good first touch, pace and distribution. Going to go higher no doubt. Let's see him at BP for trials at least.

We didn't get lucky during the pinch me seasons, it was mainly due to the shrewd buying of some very promising young players from local top flight clubs. The manager at the time Joe Royle also enjoyed a strong rapport with Oldham fans with his swashbuckling brand of attacking football. Fans don't want mediocrity, settling for that will see attendances plummet. Exciting young players are still out there, the art is spotting this talent early and beating other clubs to their signatures before their values rise.

Anyone could see that afternoon he would also take apart Division 1 defences. Just watch out next season, he will establish himself at WBA, and if in the Premiership he will star there too.

Well if he tried he didn't try hard enough as Sherjil went to a club a league lower. No excuse this time surely about players pricing themselves out of a move to Oldham ?

Neither of who will score many goals, (now see my earlier thread on Sherjil McDonald).

Sounds like the team started 5 minutes late and packed the job in 5 minutes early.

Does anyone remember WBA left winger Sherjil McDonald taking Latics reserves apart a few months ago - right under the nose of John Sheridan and Tommy Wright. It was said then by many on this board here was a player Latics must sign on loan. So what happens ?...read on. He goes to Hereford on loan last week and scores 2 goals on his debut, then at Rochdale tonight he scores a hat trick - making it 5 in 2 games. This at a time when Latics were supposedly hunting for a genuine left winger and also a goal scorer...unbelievable.

Some great cabaret at Oldham Rugby club, I saw Eli (ex Jimmy James stooge I think he was) die a thousands deaths on stage there. The Reg Coates Combo were regulars though and pretty good...where are they now ?

I always say talent is not enough, but allied to a strong will to succeed it can be a powerful combination. Allesandra has talent, now it's up to him to show he has the determination to go on from here no matter what distractions come his way.

The manager did secure Jarrett well before the deadline, and most now think that was a good piece of work.