LaticsPete

Coming out of the NSM yesterday a man , late 50s /60s said loudly, "Davies was terrible today" to his wife. I laid into him I'm afraid I was just so sick of criticism of someone who sometiimes makes the wrong decisions but has talent, guts, energy and potential He had absolutely roasted his marker created opportunities - and , yes, was to greedy at times. But " terrible" - absolutely bo**ocks. Why do people see a glass that isn't even wet?

I do hope we're not going towards the bad days of the jklatics site when we had to wade through abuse of players expressed in a barely articulate manner. I get the point daznathe , you don't rate Gregan. However, just before his injury lots of people, including Shez, were applauding his play as being back up there and we were worried when he was ruled out. The Stam/Trotman/Hazell combination has done well and that's great. Each makes mistakes, every player does, and probably no less than Gragan does. We are conceding less goals but I'd put that very much down to Eardley recapturing his form and Bertrand developing as a defender. Most goals conceded early on came from the flanks, and now that that has been tightened up we look much more solid. (Credit to to Taylor in this respect in the cup).

An open Rochdale Road end

Whoosh!

Recived the following reply from Coun Larkin following my email (above) Hello Peter, Thank you for your e-mail I will bear you comments in mind when the application is before the planning committee, lets hope we can have a happy outcome to this situation. Regards, Tony Larkin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have emailed the councillors today with the following: You will be considering this application on 11 December. This a unique opportunity to make a positive mark in the history of the town. To support the community's future economically and socially, and to support the morale of those who live and work in Oldham, and those with affection for it. The case for regeneration is made, the case to help a town with a massive , and international heritage to build again. This application is a major component of regeneration and to reject it would be to shut the door in the face of Oldhamers who need a new prosperity in the town. To reject it would be send a message across the country and further afield that Oldham is a town that doesn't value its assets, and cares little for the future. The professional recommendations are clear. The risks of rejecting it are clear. I urge you to take a step towards a better and brighter Oldham. Support the application.

... to manouvure. In today's Advertiser , Coun Basgforth says that because he didn't see the traffics report until 4pm on the day of the meeting he didn't have chance to absorb some of the technical and complicated data. Notwithstanding the fact that he should have read it earlier , this may be a chance for him to shift his vote. Once he's had time to read it in detail etc (and someone explain it to him) then it wouldn't be surprising to hear him say "Ok, this stacks up, the traffic report is kosher, . Permission agreed". Remember he has to be able to back down with justification. Link : http://www.oldhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/1...n_on_the_latics

To go back to the starting point If crowds at other clubs who are getting similar or slightly larger home attendances - Luton, Carlisle, Crewe, Southend - are examined then the number at BP wasn't too bad. I'm old enough to remember when FA Cup matches even in the early rounds normally got bigger crowds than league games - but not any more. There are some interesting attendances from Saturda. Bradford , getting 12/13000 with their very cheap season tickets down to 4000, Walsall held up pretty well but a good following from Shrewsbury. Chesterfield similarly but 1100 from Tranmere (free coaches laid on by the club0. I was surprised that Donny brought 1000, I'd have forecast abut 700. For that number they were very quiet, and the 3000 home support made a good noise for much of the game. I was heartened by the performance for 70 mins., probably the best I've seen at BP this season.

Sounds as though he's a true supporter! I think lots of us do the same every year. I've just got to the point where Latics are loaning out some promising youngsters to Real Madrid.

Excellent point about the contribution he made to the Ford Stand - as some of us still call it! David Shaw was not a flash player, always seemed fairly quiet, and certainly without the charismatic appeal of JimFryatt. But he was strong and fast and was a perfect foil for the air pwer of Fryatt and the midfield gem that was Tommy Bryceland. Today - 11 october - is his 59th birthday! Happy Birthday David Shaw.

A very good step forward. Not counting chickens just yet as officers' recommendations do not always get accepted by councillors and we can expect considerable lobbying by the anti-brigade. However, next week could see a vitally important day in the club's history - and lay the foundations for its future. And just think what fun there will be on here as every detail of the new stands are argued over!!! Blue seats or white, acoustics, uniform of turnstile attendants, etc etc. BTW - did you see the objections from the Ramblers Association? Included one about the impact on an emergency landing site for RAF helicopters!!! What does that matter to the Ramblers!!??

Simple fact is we can't afford him. We were loath to go for a back-up keeper to Crossley before Saturday because money us tight. No way could we afford Richie's wages.

Blackpool were more impressive agreed. Overall I thought there was a good atmosphere, and the home support was good. If we'd scored the roof would have been lifted. In NSM Upper it was good to see more general encouragement, applause etc. It's not always songs and chants that contribute to the atmosphere. Listened to Radio Leeds on way back. Different planet - "Oldham a poor team", " An uniteresting game" "Only in the last 15 mins did either set of supporters make any noise" "At least half the crowd was from Leeds".

Agree with nearly all of this BB and would reply in more depth but am about to pick up lad from school before trekking over Pennines for tonight. I do want to nail the misapprehension that a local paper has to remain neutral. Absoulutely not!! look the length and breadth of the country and local papers are taking active roles in supporting/opposing positions on issues. Campaigning is at the core of modern local news media. It's not about births, deaths, and marriages but about taking an active position for the beneit of the community. And, IMO. the benefit of the Oldham community is served by a vibrant football club witha better stadium. Anyway will have my scarf in back window as we drive thru Leeds!

So is that why we wear scarves when it's parky?

Don't 100% agree. Yes there could be some higher profile advertising - but at the same time who hadn't heard that we were playing Blackpool in the play-offs!? And I definitely don't think the club are "crap" at it. Might be areas to improve but that's not the same. It's like slagging the players if they aren't perfect. Positive criticism please! Surely nobody can believe that the club doesn't want to sell tickets. So if there are constructive ideas let's hear them - the club will hear them too.

First time I've seen it but joys of Sky brought it to North Yorkshire. This week was the 47th anniverary of my first Latics match (lost at home to Millwall 3-2, putting us bottom of Div 4) and this is the first time of seeing Latics reserves on tv! Reserves! It used to be a miracle if the first team got 2 minutes of highlights. Thought Shez' comments about Ricketts were good. He obviously believes in him and is "motivating" him to really demonstrate his class and pedigree. In some ways if he can put ricketts career back on track it's like doing the same for Hughes. If they both come off we will be extremely powerful up front.

No claims about it being exciting, or any real hype. So maybe Allott!!??

Goodness! You should get a job with the Lemon Marketing Board - you epitomise sourness. If you are aying that the OS spouts rubbish , you are saying it's untrue. As the OS is written by the club you ARE saying they are lying. The TTA have always said they will back Shez, I applaud them for investing and for having the balls to demonstrate ambition. You really can see the glass half full can't you?

Scotland - Hibs, the Bobby Johnstone signing made me aware of them as a a young lad and always look for their result Wales - Aberystwyth Town, played against them when a student there and drank often in their clubhouse Slovakia - Dukla Banska Bystrica , worked there Ice Hockey - Montreal Canadiens, was a student there in 1971 when they won the Stanley Cup. Fantastic ice hockey town

I'd started watching Latics a month before Bobby Johnstone arrived and the impact he had over the next few years was enormous. As has been mentioned his debut saw over 17000, his reputation for what he'd done for Man City was strong and the respect he had locally was enormous. It was a master stroke by manager Jack Rowley. Bobby was a player who , when he got the ball, controlled the game. If an opponent dived in his control enabled him to skip past or round the tackle. His accuracy and vision in passing was phenomenal and the partnership he had with others such as Bert Lister, Johnny Colquhoun and Cloj Whitaker was vital. Two matches in particular I remember. In April 1961 I went with my parents to the away match at Mansfield. Two goals from Bobby Dazzler including a great chip over the wall from a free kick - this was the stuff that "continentals" did! The other at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1962. Nearly 42000 in Boundary Park and Bobby had a great game , in his element against Bill Shankly's rising stars. He stopped in the Oldham area for a long time, a regular at crown green bowls I believe. One of the most influential players ever in a Latics shirt.

Tough start - and lots of relatively near away trips in first couple of months. Leeds away on New Years Day - cracker. Don't rthink we'll be confirmed as champions until Easter.

Frizz was a player the supporters could rely on to do a good job anywhere he played. Tackled hard, could use the ball pretty well, and was top scorer onje season too. Wing half, inside forward, full back, cenre forward, he was a true all rounder. When he took over from Jack Rowley he brought a real feeling for the club to his management - something that we may also be seeing with Sheridan. His record of great signings - mentioned in an earlier post- shows that he belied his dour Scotsman image as we played great attacking football in many of the seasons he was in chrage. And he was obviously persuasive and respected - the capture of Fryatt, Dowd, Hurst, Clements, Futcher et al is evidence of that. He also gave me a complimentary ticket for the away match at Manure in 1975, I was outside the official entrance at the Home of Satan and he popped out and said "here you are son". I heard of his sacking on a radio in a shop in Manchester. Was sad but not surprised, the times were a-changing and seasons without a trophy wasn't good enough for directors.

Allan Hunter on the left?