BP1960

When will work start on pulling down the Lookers stand ?

Acording to reports there's been some cruising around the Featherstall Road area.

A new 8 storey civic centre on clayton playing fields ?

He is one Latics they ought to keep IMO, along with Edwards. We will see how he shapes tonight against very strong opposition in Sheffield United, I don't think he will start, but could come on in the second half.

How about this; QUIZ SHOW: Junior Mastermind Channel: BBC 1 Date: Monday 17th December 2007 Time: 19:30 Duration: 27 minutes. John Humphrys poses the questions as four contestants, aged only 10 and 11, brave the black chair to face specialist and general knowledge questions in the Junior version of Britain's toughest quiz. Tonight's subjects are Walt Disney, Oldham Athletic, William Wallace and the My Story series of books.

There are probably more kids playing football here than the whole population of Croatia, what still baffles me is why overseas kids appear to show a technically higher quality when they mature. What are these countries coaches doing ours aren't ? I wonder if less of their kids drop out when they reach 16, when it seems to me ours find other distractions can take over. I have seen many promising youngsters pack the game in at this age, what a waste. IMO many individual qualities have gone out of the English game and there is much of a muchness. How many English players can anyone name today who are individually great dribblers, great in the air, great passers of the ball, have cannonball shooting power - not many I guess. It may be nostalgia but I think these attributes were commonplace before the 1990s'. I say bring individualism and flair back into coaching instead of all singing from the same hymn book. Regards, BP1960.

What no Joe Royle ?

Bobby Johnstone for me, followed by Alan Groves and Andy Ritchie.

Look out for 15 year youth team striker Djenny Bembo - Leta, this is one gem Latics should hold on to and not sell before he's played in the first team.

Taking legal advice does not mean you get the absolute correct decision, it's only one persons opinion, and other legal advisors may differ.

Boshell is still playing league football at Grimsby, so you can say you spotted one who made the grade. BTW I thought Chris Baguley would make it. A couple of clues for you - Newcastle and Everton.

I would try the Latics youth team right full back in midfield as a ball winner, IMO his aggression and drive would be more suited to central midfield than the flanks - where I feel he lacks a little pace. If you are reading this TP give him a go there to see how he shapes.

One youngster who really caught my eye in tonight's Latics youth team F.A cup 4-1 win against Lincoln City was substitute striker Djeny Bembo Lita, who showed some silky skills and scored a nicely taken goal. He's gone in my notebook as definitely one to watch. BTW this is an earlier quote of mine. * Miller joined Gillingham this week. Adam Miller

Don't go putting ideas in their heads , they will want a park and ride at BP to keep cars away from the town centre. (not free of course).

If any councillor on the planning committee has discussed the application with either party at any time (the residents or Latics) they should have declared an interest and stood down to show they had no bias. That is the moral thing to do IMO.

Any volunteers ?

Copy of extract of email from Councillor Bashforth. "In those apartments there could be in excess of 1000 adults, most families especially young professionals have two cars that could result in 2000 cars being on this site for residents alone". Why didn't he mention this in his reply to the Oldham Chronicle. Maybe because it's nonsense. He also says in the Chron; "I'm not any of blaming Oldham's engineers as they did it on data supplied by the applicant" I find that an an amazing comment What else could they work on but the development proposals, which were exactly the same as he was suppled with I assume ?

Game after game Eardley hoofs the ball under pressure, Lomax doesen't but somehow doesn't fit in with the managers plans and has even been dropped after playing well.

How do you become a scout ? I did it by spotting an 18 year old amateur and wrote to a top flight club about him. They took him on a 2 weeks trial, then signed him as a full time pro. He later went on to play with them in Europe and is now in the England set up. The same very week I recommended another 18 yo amateur player, who they actually turned down - he went on to become one of most dazzling wingers in the world. They also turned down another semi pro I thought could still make the grade even at 26 years of age, because he possessed blistering pace, he went to play Premiership and International football. This is the most frustrating thing about being a scout, you don't find many gems, so when they are turned down by the club and go on to great things with another outfit it makes you wonder if it's all worth the many many hours of standing on touchline's in the freezing cold and wet weather. It's not all as glamorous as it seems. Another important aspect of scouting - besides individual assessments, is team assessments. i.e. tactics and the use of set plays. This believe me is really hard work, especially as sometimes players appear to take little notice of the mangers well laid plans. As for the 5 aside and 11 aside game, it's really for the player to adapt, as in cricket some can deal with the shorter game better than the longer form of the game, some can't.

He did look useful Wozz. I was very impressed with Stevenage central midfielder Adam Miller last night at Droylsden, he showed terrific work rate and mobility. Tall and elegant, he could win the ball and use it too. Problem may be he is 25 now, so he must he have lost his way somehow at QPR as he is quality without a doubt. Mind you Davis Eyres was 26 before he turned full time professional. I were a scout for Latics, Miller would certainly be recommended on that performance. Adam Miller profile; http://www.boroguide.co.uk/players/miller_adam.html

Went to Droylsden to have a look at Grays. The quick 23yo striker Aaron O' Connor seemed worthy of another look. He has a goalscoring record of around 90 goals in 180 games, so he may just be another in the Grays production line. I will keep an eye on his progress.

Academic now looking like he's out for 8 weeks, who would you bring in on loan as a big target man ?

Nice going so far. I didn't go to the reserves v Stoke game, so I don't know who played at 8. However, a lot can happen to players between the ages of 16 -18, this is where the determination to succeed comes in. I once had one of the best 16 year olds I had seen as an apprentice at a Premier league club, 2 years later he gave it all up to join a rock band. Glad to see Ashley Young called up for England, he has all the attributes skill wise and I just hope he takes his chance.

Possibly Ricketts would be suited to a deeper lying role, with Hughes foraging and Davies working the left flank, This would enable Taylor to move to the right wing.

Thanks, I will note all your recommendations. Some great talent has emerged from Grays recently, Eastwood, Kightly and McLean. I may have a look at Grays tomorrow at Droylsden. Chaddy, A player must be at least nine years old to join an Academy, but many clubs have development groups which cater for even younger players. I agree Black looks a good prospect, I also liked what I saw of centre back Aaron Chalmers and striker Adam Edwards. Many ask me what I look for player..there is no one answer, it can be a combination of several different things, however I do go for those who not only have good basic skills, but determination to succeed too (a vital factor IMO and often overlooked). One manager I worked for used to ask; 1. Are they big ? 2. Are they quick? I didn't really agree with his assessments of a player but would to try to find what he wanted. After one match I sent in a report on a non league player - who I was convinced was a natural goalscorer... the manager of course asked me the above 2 questions. He was quick, but only 5 foot 6 inches I replied..."That won't do" he said "forget him". That same player went on to score over 200 goals in the football league, which only goes to show size doesn't always count.