BP1960

Surely the time has come to discard the ineffective McDonald, ok he scored at Everton, but he's been subbed in almost every game since, yet always starts the next. He was very fortunate not to be subbed today as well as he was anonymous for most of the game. Not just him, but others have to look at their game too like Davies and Taylor, there's been no end product from either for a long time.

The manager picks the team, but there's too much imbalance IMO. No natural left full back. 2 holding midfielders at home. a slow non creative midfielder in between them. a left winger who is right footed and easily read. 2 strikers who spend most of their time outside the penalty area or wide, no wonder opposition centre backs have an easy time. No one in the team can take a decent corner kick. The only real balance is the 2 centre backs, no coincidence thats the strongest part of the team. Carry on like that and nothing will change, every match at home will be an advantage to the away side and finish a low scoring affair. It's not want the fans want to see.

Video footage is badly needed so everyone can enjoy the legends mesmerising skills forever. Some must be out there somewhere. Has anyone tried Granada TV or the North West film archives ?

I remember watching an away match at Bournemouth and they brought on a winger who tore Latics to shreds. I thought then if only we had a player like that at BP. It was the great Alan Groves, and of course my wish eventually came true. (I can't remember the other 2 wishes lol).

My words to the quick players, Davies, Smalley, Taylor - run directly at their defence constantly, they won't be able to cope with your pace. To McDonald, back up the strikers with runs into the penalty area, and yes you can shoot from distance if you want too. To the defence, Kalala /Allott, keep it tight as usual. Above all take the initiative from the start and don't let it go. After my talk it finishes 3-0 to Latics.

A very long shot indeed, but 16 year youth team striker Adam Edwards is IMO worth a place on the bench. He is very quick and determined, with a great attitude to want to make things happen. In the light of having already tried other youngsters with little results, I believe Edwards could be an ace up Shez's sleeve. Anyone who has seen Edwards will tell you he will certainly cause problems with his pace running at defenders INSIDE the penalty area, unlike players we already have.

Back Davies to score an opening goal screamer for the Match of the Day cameras.

If you were to give the Latics team talk tomorrow Diego what would your words be ?

Team up with me Coco, we can build an exciting team together. Your money used of course to buy them.

Can anyone find some old football footage of Groves and put it up on YouTube, if so it would certainly receive thousands of views ? I seem to remember Granada showing a wonderful sequence of his dribbling skills against Liverpool at Anfield in the F.A. Cup.

Sign a class midfielder with bags of charisma who will capture the publics imagination. Oh, I forgot we tried that in 1960 and Bobby Johnstone added 12,000 to the average gate in his first match. What's Jay Jay Okotcha doing these days ? Any suggestions ?

Rumours are Latics fancy Ian Moore.

Refresh your memory here, but I warn you some names could give you nightmares. Latics players list

Not so many in future I suspect.

Although I'm not a great fan of loan signings when someone of quality could be available the possibility needs to be strongly considered. I watched the talented young Daniel De Ridder play for Birmingham reserves recently and he is just the type of clever attacking midfielder/winger the Latics need. I don't think wages would be a big problem as he is not an established first teamer so must be worth an enquiry on loan - although if his wages and fee could be met I would buy him outright. Have a look at his profile, he has a good pedigree. Profile; Daniel De Ridder

I remember in the 1970s my wife and I were having a snack in Littlewoods cafe in Oldham at about noon on the day of a Latics home match, and who should be sat across the table eating eggs and bacon but non other than the great Mr Groves himself. We chatted for while and I thought he was a really nice genuine guy. He went on to have a blinder that afternoon of course.

Not loans I hope, unless they are real quality that's just a papering over the cracks scenario, then later you're back to square one. Buy young prospects for reasonable fees on a permanant basis and build a team like big Joe did is my advice.

Don't discount the late signing of a striker who is eligible to play.

There's nothing like a bit of TLC

They're alreading driving him round the bend.

Or see if Jim Fryatt is available, he must still be good in the air

Looks useful, but at 5ft 9ins not the big centre forward/target man needed.

Big Leon Constantine must now be surplus to requirements at Leeds, unfortunately he's out with a broken arm at the moment, but maybe he's still worth considering in the long term.

Strike Showumni off the list. Showumni signing for .....

Remember, when Latics get a draw it also takes 2 points away out of a possible 3 from the opposition.