bozman

Could be touch and go. I'm sure someone at the club said last year that the covers only protect to about -3 or -4.

Can only see this getting worse for them too. Looks like turning very cold over the weekend in to next week and the cold spell may last a couple of weeks. So all teams without undersoil heating may get postponements for frozen pitches.

I may have missed it, having been out of the country most of the time since the takeover was announced, but I don't think the club have made any public announcement about the nature of Corney's continuing role. Having said that, the website does list Lemsagam as the Owner and Corney as the Chairman. It was rumoured that he wanted to retain a role at the club, in name at least, to satisfy his US Visa requirements, and I'm sure Moisley said something about Lemsagam wanting advice from him for a transitional period, so it's no surprise to see him remaining on the board. Given his absence from the scene when the takeover was announced though, I did think that might be more of a ceremonial role, with him providing telephone advice in return for his seat on the board. I was slightly surprised to see him in attendance on a freezing cold February night for a game against MK Dons.

Yes, he was sat with AL at the game last night, so still involved in some capacity.

It's the Audi guys who do it. Seems to be different people every week, and I'm not sure they always make it out of the lounge in to the stand to watch the game! It was a strange one for sure but, on the plus side, it meant I got hear to Johny speak for the first time when he picked up his MOM award. I can confirm that, whilst very softly spoken, he does speak English, so I can only assume that his bookings for berating referees were justified, as he's definitely able to make himself understood.

Correct. Ban only applies to League games so he'll miss Saturday.

I wouldn't say he looked particularly pissed off. He did look tired though. Re striker, he said he's hopeful for tomorrow but it's unlikely. He didn't say anything to indicate a striker would not be coming in at all.

Interesting to hear Wellens say that it was Gerard's choice to give Byrne the armband when he went off. He said he could have given it to anyone. Slightly surprising that a deputy hadn't been identified beforehand. Gerrard out for 2 weeks apparently, but Edmundson can play tomorrow.

Yes, you're right. Who do you think he was referring to then? Seems pretty clear to me he meant AL. Anyway, Keegan replied to that comment reiterating that it was as good as done but not actually done yet.

Mike Keegan just tweeted that the takeover is very close but not done yet. Pete O'Rourke replied saying Abdallah told the players it had completed at the hotel last night. Make of that what you will...

Menig never wanted to come in the first place. Suits us and him, if his departure is confirmed. Completely different situation with players who don't have anywhere to go back to.

I think they were already aware of Hunt's injury when they agreed to loan Edmundson back to Fylde and only called it off when they didn't manage to get Bryan back in, in time for Saturday. I reckon we could see another defender brought in, possibly on loan

I'd agree with that. I'm basing my comment more on the fact I sense that Wellens doesn't seem too keen on them given their lack of playing time, even when the midfield was looking threadbare for a short time. He's brought in new signings rather than give them a run in the side.

Indeed. I think they'd have bean two of the first out the door if it was solely Wellens decision. But as they're AL's lads he probably isn't allowed to get rid of them at this stage.

Think the pitch had an impact today. The ball was bobbling around a lot. Tope got a bad one when he had the shot at the end of the first half.

That's not what I'm suggesting. I'm saying there must also be another striker target in addition to JCH if there is a chance of him signing in time for tomorrow.

I think Wellens likes to use these press conferences to keep the opposition guessing. Some of the things he says are apparently contradictory e.g. He says he likes JCH, pretty much confirms he is in for him but says a deal can't be done before tomorrow. Then says his overall requirement is Doyle, Bryan and Byrne plus another striker. From that I'd assume that the 2nd striker is JCH, but he also says there is a chance of having another striker in for tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if the registration issues have been resolved but the first we hear of it is when the team sheet comes out tomorrow.

Yeah, I forgot he said that. Although he did say there was only a small chance. Also no mention of needing a left back so may be Hunt won't be out for too long.

Having watched the second part of Wellens' ifollow interview, I'd say he sounds fairly confident of getting all 3 of the star loan players back. Says that Bryan is his number 1 target, then that Byrne is number 1 too and that Doyle isn't quite number 1, but only because he can't play for a few months. But he then says if he gets all 3 of them back, plus another striker, he'll be very confident. Sounded like the other striker could well be JCH. When asked about him he didn't deny interest but said a deal couldn't be done before Saturday because we're playing Rotherham.

The second part of the Wellens press conference is online now. He has a little dig when confirming that Banks has gone to Swindon. "May be Tranmere fans will tweet Ollie Banks's Dad to tell him it's unfair that he's gone to Swindon"

If he arrived at 10.30, they should be there for a bit. I think they go over tactics for the game on a Friday. Go on, go over and see who else you can spot.

I don't know about that. He was still banging on about Steve Marlet 3 years after he retired!

Has there been enough of a thaw in Oldham since Tuesday for the game to be on ?

Re-arranged for a week tomorrow (Jan 17).

Sheffield Untied want him according to yesterday's papers. I'd imagine he'd opt to play in the Championship if that option is open to him.