lalalajpkalala

Great post Adz. I think that sums up exactly what I've been feeling in the past few months. And you did it in a lot less words than I managed earlier! Hope you can commit yourself in the future and I hope I do too.

Good one Pete. Not what I was expecting, but I'm with you on that one, he certainly did, even if it wasn't pretty. Chesterfield away that year was one of my lowest points supporting Latics. I was almost resigned to relegation after that.

Yes you really couldn't write this stuff. Ronnie's team jumps above us in the league and his successor gets sacked. The new man is Joe Royle, one of the greatest managers in the club's history. And his first game sees him come up against Ronnie Moore, one of the greatest [enter a noun of your own choice here] in the club's history.

I hope you're not suggesting he selects all his old mates. Won't be popular on here.

That would be hilarious. Keep it in the family.

Yes, whether he was the manager for you or not, nobody deserves some of the abuse he's got on the board and I'm told by a small minority at games.

I was 'Shez in' all the way, for the simple fact that in the 19 of the 22 years of my life that I've been dragged along/gone willingly to watch the Latics with my Dad, certain individuals have made a greater impression on me than others. I'm sure that this is the same for everyone, however long or short you've followed the Blues or any other team. For me though, Shez was the best of the lot. The first Latics player, who made me, as a teenager, really appreciate that football could be something to enjoy, something beautiful, whether the team was playing well or getting hammered. He made watching the really bad Latics teams we've had in this division bearable and is probably the only reason other than my Dad for me sticking with the club when I could have found other interests. I fully understand that the board have to make decisions based on their own analysis and instinct. The owners have the best interests of the club at heart and I totally respect their decision. But it's been tough reading some of the abuse thrown a the guy on this masseage board by some, when he's done so much for the club in the past decade. Making the physical sacrifices he made when coming out of retirement against medical advice to save the club on the field in 2003 when so many others were doing all they could to save it off the field is something that should never be forgotten. 16th August 2003 at Hillsbrough will be a day I'll never forget, seeing him score from the spot in front of the Kop at my favourite away ground in the country, and then being applauded from all sides at the end was just the sort of adulation a player of his calibre deserved. I can say that from now on the first result I'll look for will always be the club that Shez is involved at. I wish him all the best and hope he turns into the manager that we all know he can be. There's a club out there whose fans are going to be very lucky to have him some time soon, I'm sure. Currently in semi-exile, next week is due to be my first game since Hartlepool at home in January. Even after yesterday and recent events/results, I really can't wait to see the lads and hopefully a good win, but the place won't be the same with Shez on the pitch or on the touchline. It's a real shame it had to come to an end, but Shez is my favourite player of all time. From older people I know, the players you watch in your formative years are the ones that you admire forever, and I'm sure that will be the case for me with Shez. All the best for the future Shez, if you or anyone you know reads this.

Thanks for the list oafcprozac

If were going for long serving names from the past let me put Paul Rickers name into the ring.

I apologise for my ignorance but does anyone have a list of players who are out of contract in the summer. It would be intersting to see what people think about how much should change in the summer on the playing personnel side - cue someone claiming "get rid of the lot of them".

For me, as someone who has attended matches rather infrequently this season due to my geographical situation, these players were well below the quality of Leeds tonight. Eardley kept coceeding possession, as did Allott, who was good at breaking up Leeds possession but didn't have a clue when he had it and Hazell just could'nt deal with Becchio. Other than this we matched them. Smalley makes up for Taylor who has been found out imo.

He's our best player. No doubt. We needed him to play well tonight and so he did once again.

Gary Kelly Fitz Hall Sean Gregan Clint Hill Chris Armstrong Andy Liddell Richie Wellens John Sheridan David Eyres Luke Beckett Clyde Wijnhard

Unfortunately for you, jsslatic, avoiding reactionary points of view makes your posts less interesting than those that do not. Therein lies the weakness of the ‘message board’.

My thoughts entirely. Gutless and clueless the lot of them. Not fit to wear the shirt.

"Sheridan looks a superb tactician" "They played the better football" "In the two encounters we've had with Oldham this season, i've liked their fans" "They looked solid defensively and dangerous in attack " "They wanted it more than us" "Thought their passing and movement was great" "Oldham came with a gameplan and played it brilliantly" And to think of the amount of citicism they all get on here off their own - players, manager and fans alike! What a joy it is to be a Latic.

Andy Goram anyone?

Note to The Chaplain... "Foi" is a feminine noun, and so your signature should read, "GARDEZ LA FOI!" But that's French, so is off-topic. Sorry.

Fleming Lomax Hazell Gregan Goulbourne Smalley Allott Whittaker Taylor Hughes Windass ------------------- Stam Eardley Liddell Maher Allessandra Goals. Clean sheets. Options on the bench. That team's got everything. In Shez we trust....

You soon get found out here.

I fully understand what you were saying and my pedantic answer highlights my frustration at the bile which has been written on here by some (not yourself) tonight. I'd rather be pedantic than spout vile abuse on a message board about a man who has given greater service to this football club as a player, coach and manager over the past 11 years than any other individual. Those who question his commitment have very short, selective memories and forget, for instance, 2003 when the club was going to the wall off the pitch and started the season with a young side out of its depth when Shez came out of retirement against medical advice to give us hope and quality just like he'd done so many times before. For the few people who've become heroes to the fans at the club over the past decade, only one was a truly a genius on the field, and that was Shez (my opinion!!). Many people can be praised for their work on the non-footballing side over the last 11 years, but on the field Shez has been just as vital to this club as any of those volunteers or owners who have saved us. Without his commitment we wouldn't be as high as League 1 today, and perhaps wouldn't be anywhere near it. I don't think he's beyond criticism, by any means, but to call him some of the things written on here tonight just because we're going through an inconsistent period in terms of results is totally inappropriate and cowardly. I hope it reflects frustration and a desire on the part of those concerned to see the club succeed rather than hatred for the guy and his players. In the hard times the club has always pulled together so instead of sniping, why can't we behave the same in the (reasonably) good times too? Keep the Faith.

I didn't ask a question.

I hope the Shez and the players have got more bottle than half the people moaning on here. Keep the faith.

Okay so first half the two teams seemed of a completely different calibre but for 30 minutes after half time we were the better team. Passed it better, played with confidence, dealt with their big lads better. Personally, i thought all of their players were excellent and injury/lack of desire permitting will all make a living in the game. Some of them could do a job for us now - I'm sure Shez will be having a beer with Kinnear as we speak re Jan. But some of ours were equally impressive once the nerves settled and even some of their fans passed comment on how impressive we were and how much easier they thought it would be. They all did themselves and the club proud. Oh, and I always thought BP was the coldest place on earth. How wrong I was.

What a great performance from the lads tonight. Really gave it their all and some of the lads were struggling fitness wise when they went 2-1 up but we battled back and almost got the replay. Even the a Geordie told me our injury time equaliser was onside but they had a definite penalty turned down so fair enough. Lots of effort, lots of skill, some pretty tough tackles (Rowney especially) and some rubbish referreeing all for 3 quid. First team might not be seeing me for a while (tongue in cheek). The future's bright.