UpTheLatics

I'd love for us to go up this season, of course I would. I know the Latics all to well - I said this yesterday: We can go to Leeds, who had won 90% of their home games, and lead 3-0 at half-time, and we can also go to Swindon, who hadn't won in 6, and lose 3-0 in the second-half. Knowing us, we'd do something crazy like Bristol City. However, we just don't have the depth to cope, and I don't think we'd do all too well. Next season, Shez knows what he wants - he's said it himself, so if we let's himself down by not bringing those players in, then he's letting himself open for attack. Question - would you rather us go up now, with this inconsistent, young squad (Barnsley's, Col U's, and B. City's squad was very experienced, by the by), and probably come straight back down. Or would you just see what Shez has planned for next season, possibly bringing in quality, going up with a really strong squad, and possibly a bit more cash. I say the cash factor because we hopefully will be a tougher squad, and may even cause a few more upsets in the cups. You're probably gonna say the former. I'd love for us to see something different for a change, don't get me wrong. But looking at it with a rational mind, I think it'd be more beneficial for us to go up (maybe as bleedin' champions) in the long run next year. Saying that, we'd have to go up next year.

Well, for starters, Swindon hardly did anything in the first half. They looked a poor side considering they were playing at home. If we had gone into them early on, picked the tempo up, got the ball out wide, and on the floor, we would've created a lot more chances, and more than likely would've made our pressure count. I simply look at how we played at Doncaster and Huddersfield and see that the formation fitted us very well, and we did the things what I mentioned above. Unfortunately, we didn't yesterday. Probably walked out after 60 minutes. Not that I blame you. I'd look at 2 of his corners for starters, and I'm sure you'd be happier with a proper ball into the box, rather than the Lomax-to-Taylor short'un? Liddell doesn't have the pace nowadays, so you wouldn't see him repeatedly taking on the full-back. No, I saw him get the ball into the box, from out wide, on numerous occasions. Always a deep ball, seeing as Constantine couldn't be arsed yesterday, to Taylor who was trying to get into the box. If we had someone in there to meet these, you'd notice the danger these balls could create. I've also heard that Smalley was ill during the week with flu, so credit for him. His fitness and stamina wouldn't be there if true, and he didn't stop running, to be fair.

All I'm saying is the inconsistency this season has hindered us. I'm not just on about injuries - not that I even mentioned them - but can you name a team this term who has had to play with 14 players for like 5 week? I don't think you can. I also don't think we're ready to go up. The balance isn't right, and we won't be able to attract the higher quality players to help balance/strengthen this side because they're not floating about on frees. And we're hardly loaded. For the size of squad, and where we want to be, we've got one of the smallest squads. If someone wants to go up just 'to do a Derby' than they're friggin' deluded. What a stupid thing to say. Thing is, you're moaning now, boundaryblue, so if we got slaughtered next season don't tell me you'd sit there and be a ray of sunshine when we're sunken at the bottom of the league. I don't think we'd get hammered as such (I didn't say that, anyway), but I don't think we'd be able to realistically compete. If we go up, I don't want to just come down. That's madness to want that, and more so, accept that. We can better ourselves in this division, and go up and bloody well compete, and maybe have a very good season. I'll whack another cliche into the mix: Rome wasn't built in a day.

It's crazy, isn't it? If people can't see that the positives of this season outweigh the negatives, then the world's gone mad. I understand that people want some instant success, but if we went up this season, do you think we'd stand a chance next season? Answer that in the correct manner, then look at the average age of the squad.

Well, I look at Bigfin's post and would love to tear some of those points made apart. However, he made some valid points. The Jarrett injury was the turning point, however he did nothing to get me going. I wouldn't blame Shez for that loss, but I ask why on God's green earth why didn't we just go there with the "to hell with it" attitude, and attack. We held back. It was 4-5-1 today, not 4-3-3, if we had gone with the latter, we woulda have got 2 goals in the first-half and we woulda been able to see the game out. And, yes, the 4-4-2 cost us. Then again, 4-5-1 was gonna get us no more than a 0-0 draw, and at least Shez wanted to get forward. Don't dent him that, please. I disagree with this first half 'good' performance. It was dull, slow, and wasteful. As was Swindon's. We, however, lacked effort all game, barring a few players. The lads didn't believe in theirselves. Simple. It's a shame it had to end with such a disappointing performance. But that is exactly what it is; the end. The attack on Liddell is frankly ludicrous. What did he do wrong exactly? He was firing dangerous balls into the box, but sadly nobody was there. He wanted the ball on the floor, but the likes of Eardley (oh dear Lord), just punted it upfield. He had a poor game for me. Then again, not a single soul out there deserved much credit, I'll be fair. But Eardley's continuous lobbing on the ball gets us nowhere. Yada ya. Gregan doesn't belong in the centre. He was sound with his leadership qualities, his work rate, he general defensive duties. But the guy just can't play football - he was effective, but he made us pay for silly play for their 2nd. Allott got the blame from the cocky little Welshman at right back. I don't want this to be a moan at the players, even Shez, but today we have to say we lost this game by ourselves. Our fault. Too many players went missing more times than Wally. I'm simply disappointed with the whole team - that includes Shez. We didn't look much of a side, but the fact that we gave their goals to Swindon leaves me furious, but moreso baffled. We've been defensively sound all season, but the lads have just not done their jobs during these past weeks. Why? This has to be answered for me. Let me end with a wonderful quote by Friedrich Nietzsche: "Hope is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs man's torments". Beautiful.

Call me mad, but 4-0 us. I mean, I've just has this crazy feeling all week. That was my first feeling, and I'm sticking with it. Probably won't happen, but that's my odd feeling.

And the fact that the goals against would be 8/9 goals fewer (if not many more) when we look at some daft mistakes the lads have made over the season. However, I've been delighted generally with the defending this season. I won't turn this into an attack at the defence. How many goals would you be blaming Crossley for by the way, daznathe?

David Livermore's departure has really upset the team. We no longer can play our 4-3-3 unless Gregan comes into midfield. As it it, the site sounded a lot more positive about Lids' return. Eardley won't play as a winger - I can't see it at all. I'm interested to see tomorrow what Shez is gonna do.

Well, let's look at the stats. How many clean sheets this season? Over 10. How many goals conceded? It's certainly one of the lowest totals against in a long time - Let's not forget that Dowie had money, and bought quality defenders. The thing is, we look at some of the goals he's conceded, and the blame could be thrown at one of the outfield players - a lot for that matter. Crossers annoys me at times, his indecision to come and get the ball etc, but he's saved us on numerous occasions. I think he has more positives than negatives. Oh, for the Shez haters: Someone find me a past Oldham manager who betters his 0.9 goals conceded per game stat. Not including Dowie for obvious reasons. Oh yeah, I wouldn't say no to Lee Grant coming back, though.

This season wouldn't be this season if we didn't have a player withdrawn from the squad with an injury on a Friday.

Their form may be poor, but look at the goals they've scored. On average, they're losing 2-1 every time. Look at that attacking flair from the Blues though.

Or handing it over to QPR... I don't think they're making that much if they're selling, for example, Trotman for £500,000. They've already said if one's not prepared to invest, then the others won't. I don't think you can successfully own a club when you're having to listen to 2 other people - however, that's not my point. Some say Shez is naive at times, well I think they are too. Going back to the contracts, they took Porter's word for it that he'd sell. They allowed a good few players perform excellently, and we had no word of contracts. Could happen this season, too.

Yeah, I think FIFA has now taken over PES where it sorta beat FIFA for a few year. FIFA 08 is a lot better.

Don't get me wrong, they fought bloody hard to get us the stadium upgrade - can't fault 'em for that. However, dare I say it... I don't trust them. Where are they all the time? There's just a few things they need to prove to me - I'll be fair, and understand those who want Shez to prove to them what he's about. Works both ways I guess. Without causing too much fuss, I blamed them last season for, well, messing the season up with Haining/Porter/Wellens and their contracts etc. This season, to be fair, they've impressed me more.

... Answer the 2 questions, and back that half-arsed comment up, please.

It's actually funny now. Just to clarify, I want him here as I think he has a real future in the game, I think I'm one of a minority who would give him plenty of time - he can take us up. However, just a thought - what would you do if Shez was sacked at the end of the season? What would you make of the TTA then? I've never been a massive fan of TTA as it is, but I think that'd be the end of it. I'd certainly have the "Owners Out" banners up - I probably would end my supporting of the club, tbh.

A striker who doesn't score.

Trotters will. Watch this space. Well he will if Preston do something with him!

Should be decent. We'll enjoy 'em, the players will, and more importantly, some early gate money because a few thousand of us will turn out.

I just don't see how the courts that just 'give' points back for no real reason. They gave their reasoning why they were docking them - it's in the rules. Is it in the rules that you can claim them back? I very much doubt it. I think the word 'chaos' is an understatement.

What I think Shez meant was that if we went up, he'd offer him one. But if we don't, then we won't match his wages, so there's no point. Evidently, Dave didn't want a challenge (help us to get 6th place), and decided he'd go for a quick-fix.

He's either superstitious or using us simply for first-team action, thus keeping himself fit for a "bigger" move in the summer. Shame he's gone - he balanced the side out very well. Shez rates him, so I doubt he's said he wouldn't want to sign him on a permanent basis. I can see his thinking. I wouldn't be surprised if his family have been on his case about getting injured etc. I'm disappointed with him because that, in my eyes, isn't the sort of attitude you want from a player hoping to get a move.

Name a side who's been promoted with 14 players.

Thing is, under Shez, we haven't suffered many batterings, have we? They've conceded 3/4 with no reply on several occasions this season. Did an excellent job with a small Barnsley squad.

Terrell Forbes.