drphibes

I tell you what mate you pass me some of those happy pills that you are obviously downing in ridiculous amounts because you are living in cloud cuckoo land. Drphibes

I agree entirely that we would more than likely have a problem over Hughes's fitness and also a big question mark on the boy Ricketts's attitude. Hence that is why you have what is called a plan b and once again you deny that Shez has done anything wrong !! So what happens on Saturday against Millwall ? Missing are Ricketts, Davies, Hughes, possibly Allesandra and it looks like we are still not interested in signing someone on loan!! If that is not waving the white flag of defeat I dont know what is. The way things are going I cannot wait for the season to finish and we can then look forward to the next one because it is really becoming farcical. Drphibes

If we found ourselves stuck in the middle of the division and could not go either up or down then maybe the planning for next season could be understandable in some ways. However remember what happened when Ronnie signed Beckett ? That one single signing probably saved us from the drop and likewise a few decent loan signings could have pushed up into the playoff spots right now. Saying that we have players coming back is a bit daft in some ways because who thinks that the likes of Gregan, Thommo and co are going to hit the ground running and play like they can after such long layoffs ? We have been in dire need of someone to replace the likes of KK, Ricketts and also find a keeper and we have not done any of these things. Drphibes

You seem to miss the point that many on here are not slating the kids but are questioning why the hell we have not made moves to get at least 5 bloody players on the bench come match day. The kids have done well in my mind, yes Smalley got the bird from some and that was harsh but fans of oafc who have IQ'S of 5 want to know why we have messed about and not used the loan market more. Funds are on the tight side but I am sure we can find some players to come and join our squad and do a better job than the bloody invisible man who has occupied the fifth place on the bench for the last Two games. Also let us not forget that Shez does not want to play Bell so what is going to happen next week against Millwall ? I take it we should be more than happy to play the young lad from Sheff and not bother that we have another young keeper of our own who the manager does not want to play even in emergencies ? I for one agree that with all the injuries we have had over the past few months we have indeed done well to find ourselves still in with a shout of the playoffs but dont try and kid us all that everything that has happened this year has been spot on because it has not. Drphibes

I thought a draw was possible before the game but it seems a large percentage of the team showed no desire to win. Drphibes

I think we will be seeing more transfer movement in the summer especially after the defeat at Luton. Shez stated on the official site that some players had no desire and they knew that they would get picked for the team due to the injuries we have. Drphibes

I for one do not think the kids have done bad at all but we should not have to be in the position of having to play untested kids if 2 yes 2 strikers get injured. I did not detect your humour because that massive club line is spun on a regular basis here. Drphibes

How long has Les been crocked ? last couple of weeks was it ? Crossley was ok for first choice keeper but wasnt he struggling with injuries before he arrived ? Dont give me the massvie club garbage, we are a small club in a small division but that does not mean we cannot find new signings does it because if your theory is right we will be playing Crossley until he draws his pension. The loss of Ricketts should have been dealt with but was it ? Nope we have decided to play untested kids instead after the injury to Lee Hughes. Shez has had all the time in the world to get something sorted on several occasions and we ended up with the Ian Moore fiasco and a untested kid from Wednesday. Sorry it aint good enough, these have been crucial mistakes that might cost us that playoff spot. Drphibes

Sorry but if you think that playing a season on the back of Two crocked keepers and a youth player who you wont play even when your main keeper is struggling to stand, then I say you need to get real! Shez's transfer activity has been bad this season and I really do struggle to see how anyone can stand up and say he has done bugger all wrong. Drphibes

The reason for the bench warmer is you would feel confident in throwing him into the team if and when a injury occured to the number one choice. It was obvious on Tuesday night that Crossley was a lame when he got injured and if Bournemouth had anything about them we could have been in the brown stuff. Crossley has been stuggling with the odd injury all season so maybe if Shez didnt want to get a keeper in on loan he should have looked for a permanent signing ? Drphibes

Does seem like a desperate move bringing in such an inexperienced player. In my mind there is no excuse for finding ourselves in this situation because Crossley has been a injury waiting to happen and Pogs has been out most of the season and sadly now out for good. Lack of movement at the right times in the transfer market this season will probably cost us come the end of the season. Drphibes

When you say everyone I take it you are including Shez who stated on numerous occasions that we needed some experience Drphibes

Going of the highlights of the Watford v Villa game Jobbo was more of a threat than John Barnes on the other wing! Interesting to see that Latics where 5th in Division 2 in February 83. Drphibes

Maybe Shez has asked the players to play a "all out attack" plan but the reality is we have big problems up front with the kids being thrown into the mix and we also have no playmaker after the loss of Wellens and his replacement KK. I think we are seeing just exactly what this squad is capable of at the moment and I do not really expect to see things improve much this season unless we do get some players in. Jarrett and Livermore are not players who will create or score goals in my opinion and that is what this team lacks in a big way. Drphibes

Unless we bring in a striker the pattern of results will probably continue until the end of the season. Alessandra and Smalley are ones for the future and it really is a bit of a joke that we find ourselves in the position of having to play them. The club need to look outside the Championship for signings because they constantly tell us that they cannot afford the wages from that division. I am not accepting that there are no players in div 1 and 2 who have experience and could do a job for us. Drphibes

I would be amazed if Warne got a bad reception, when he played for us he was not the most gifted of players but for effort he could not be faulted. Drphibes

I agree that Hughes and Davies could probably do a great job together but what about when one suffers a loss of form like Davies ? What about when one gets injured like Hughes ? When this happens we are now forced into looking at practically untested kids. Liddell's return would be more than welcome just like Gregan but time is running out because the odds of both of these guys hitting top form instantly when they return is another big question. I cannot help but feel that the club are now looking to next season when it comes to bringing in new players, the addition of Jarrett and Livermore had to happen because the midfield area was looking worse than upfront after KK's departure. Drphibes

I do not consider my thoughts to be be negative more like realistic. Do you think our forward line is playoff winning standard ? Drphibes

Well I had a tenner on Latics to draw at Bristol because I cannot see us scoring many goals with the options we have at present. So I am miffed that my tenner has gone down the pan and a bit more miffed that we seem to be hell bent on trying to secure a playoff place on with a forward line that has no real potency. Two kids, One young striker trying to get his form back and a guy who has spent the last Three years in the big house does not inspire a load of confidence does it ? Drphibes

I agree Jonesy that is is utterly astonishing that some people seem to think that 4 months of poor form can all be blamed on the fact we have a few moaning gits. Drphibes

I would give Bridges a go but only on a pay as you play contract. When fit he is a very good player at this level and maybe he could be offered the wage packet of the now departed Ricketts ? Drphibes

How old is Beresford though ? I presume he is well into the back end of his career and when this time comes you do have to start lowering your wage demands. Maybe he would be tempted to come if he was offered a 2 year deal and he could negotiate a settlement with Luton ? Drphibes

No I would not drop Davies for Alessandra. We have seen what Craig can do earlier in the season and if he works on his game in training with Shez and striking partner Hughes he should produce the goods again. Players like Smalley and Alessandra need to be introduced into the team slowly and while Smalley has started to taste first team action the same cannot be said for Alessandra. I think this season should be used to give the younger players more time from the bench and this would hopefuly help them play a more important part next year. Drphibes

Problem is there is no real evidence to suggest we do have what it takes to get to the playoffs. I agree that the new boys need time to settle in but you have to remember that we have a really inexperienced forward line, Davies has been more out of form than in in recent months and then we have virtually untried forwards like Smalley, Alessandra and Wolfenden. I for one cannot see us making the playoffs when we seem to rely on Hughes scoring goals from the forwards and then the odd goal arriving from midfield. I am pretty sure Shez will sign a forward on loan because I do not believe he thinks we can push for a playoff spot with the forward line we have. Drphibes

Mixed thoughts really. The arrival of Jarrett and Livermore is welcome but I think we are taking a mighty risk relying on Stam and Hazell to stay fit and having to play games with a seriously inexperienced frontline. Hughes is the only striker who can claim to have any experience in the game and then we are looking are a young Davies and even younger Smalley, Wolfy and Alessandra. It would amaze me if we do not bring in a couple of loan deals to cover the gaps in our squad. Drphibes