UpTheLatics

I suppose we must be content with a mid-week away point.

Next three up aren't ideal, including Scunny who are on their way to a fourth consecutive victory (since being battered 5-0 by Blackpool incidentally) including against 5th, 6th and 7th.

I can't remember the last time I didn't view a game where I'd be satisfied, even happy, with a scrappy 1-0 victory.

Nowt changes tonight.

Excellent point yesterday. Joint best defence when playing away from home (along with Burton, who are top of the division).

Tuesday is pretty major.

I think we can do without one. It'll cost a lot of money and serves a limited purpose and is largely distracting. I'm not a fan of the modern scoreboards with their incessant highlights of every incident occurring in the game that I'm watching.

Had a look about Durham and took in the new Tarantino film in Hartlepool. All without the sinking feeling of usual Saturdays.

I think after the next month, little will have changed in terms of league positioning i.e. the same clubs will make up the bottom seven or eight but with fewer points separating us all.

Ideally we pick up at least four points against Blackpool, pulling them back into immediate danger of falling into the bottom four, and Crewe and Colchester, who I think are both destined for League Two, taking points against Chesterfield and Chesterfield, Fleetwood and Shrewsbury mainly drawing against each other. If all this occurs and we pick up at least eight points, I think we'll be on our away, for the short term, out of the bottom four.

Ifs, buts and maybes, but it's all morbidly enthralling.

Blatantly a piece written using a lot of information from a man who mid-week was telling the Manchester Evening News that he wanted to leave the club with "dignity". A few points have been raised which will help the Corney Out camp - I sit in it to be honest - but it's an awful article in my view.

It's an important game, which is a rarity at this stage of the season in years gone by.

If you need any assistance or volunteers please let me know.

As a member of the Labour Party, me and Jim McMahon are on different wings. However, in my estimation he thoroughly deserves his seat in the House of Commond, replacing the late Michael Meacher. He has cut his teeth in local politics, knows the area and resembles an ordinary Briton.

Slightly surprised at the lack of congratulations towards McMahon, especially considering what the supposed main rival stood for.

The Tories have been resoundingly booted out of Oldham, which is most welcome.

Stalin over here.

EDIT: That is in reply to deyres42 and his latest post.

"There is nothing to say other than the players will be paid tomorrow," Latics chairman Simon Corney said.

Really? Nothing at all?

I'll find myself echoing a lot of sentiments uttered in this thread, such as passed the point of caring and paying the money to attend a match unjustifiable. There is definitely something wrong that we're not seeing.

Firstly, on the question of David Dunn. I haven't took to him and he dug his hole when he criticised us, the supporters, after the victory at Chesterfield. There are some times when I wonder what planet a few supporters are residing on, but that also extends to club employees, predominantly players and management. Dunn spoke about expectations. Call me daft but I think supporters have the right to expect more than dull, tepid, error-strewn performances against teams that have lost eight on the trot and other mediocre sides - especially when playing at Boundary Park. The man has had zero impact on the performances or results, yet has had to gall to question supporters' judgement. When you're new in a working environment, you keep your head down and perform well until you develop a reputation to begin expressing yourself more. It would appear Dunn thinks his reputation as a footballer extends to his ability to manage and coach. That criticism of us has left me completely devoid of support for the man.

Secondly, is it the players' ability or their level of commitment and desire to achieve? I have seen most of these lads play a lot and there is individual talent, yet the management have failed to squeeze more than 90 minutes out of them. We get a crucial three points and then fall back into our lethargic style. Personally, I'd suggest it's both the players and the management. We have to find or develop a style that allows us to win in this league. I won't accept the finance element - most of the clubs in this division scrap for talent. Our failure is the failure to compete on the field.

We then turn to the overall direction of stewardship of the entire club. They lauded the construction of the stand and possibilities it could bring. Well, we're heading into December and we're in a serious position. The threat of relegation at this stage seems more likely that not.

Worrying.

Thoughts are with him. Speedy recovery brother.

And to the lad that more than likely saved the gent's life - no doubt you'll say you were doing your job, but to many you'll be a hero.

If we went up we might be a more appealing purchase to buyers.

 

This would also see him removed from the board. Imagine that. It's as close as we'll get.

I agree.

I think a few are over-reacting and not fully understanding his point. We all want the same thing.

There is one this week at the Railway pub Royton, this Thursday 10th September 7.30pm.....meet the manager. Tickets are £5. Trust oldham have arranged it as we felt with the new stand being delayed, we couldn't wait any longer.

 

The next one should, should be in the new stand

 

If you need a ticket. Just let me know

I was there. A few supporters were on his about his radio interview. Personally I agree with Barry on this one. He is correct what he says - if we go up we'll struggle to compete. However, I'd rather see us go up and be sensible.

My two pennies' worth during that was the short-term. The performances/results don't suggest a team heading to the Championship.

I believe he said he was happy when we had two up top towards the end. He is entitled to his opinion as are we all.

He also said he'd be speaking to Darren Kelly about organising a couple of supporter forums.

Very disappointed. I haven't been impressed by any of our three home performances this season. Three average sides have created about 15-20 genuine goal-scoring chances. We're losing the battle every week in midfield and we don't have the players to fit into our attacking play.

Ultimately this is because of the system. There can be no doubting it. We had four players out of position this afternoon. Although Forte was idotic for getting himself sent off, I also sympathise with him. He's evidently frustrated by being told to stay up top on his own. He flapped his arms on a few occasions leading up to the red card.

Yet when we altered and went with two up front we looked dangerous. Kellu has to address this now because on the balance of the six performances thus far, we'll be relegated. I firmly believe that.

One win in eight. And we don't deserve anymore. In fact, we're fortunate to have seven points.

A win and a couple of goals helps to create momentum, but the most important part of tonight is getting out of Shropshire injury-free.

I always worry when we start putting fees round young players heads. Some people often use it as a stick to beat them with.

Very true. Knowing some Latics supporters they won't stop to think they're hurling abuse at a 19-year kid in the loneliest place on a football field.

A bloke stormed out of Boundary Park saying exactly that after Hartlepool scored their third during a Friday night match a few year back (Penney was in charge). For a few seasons he kept up his promise but I've since seen him.

EDIT: That is in quote to Monty Burns above.

Considering the negativity at the moment - and there is, regardless of what members of the "We're Unbeaten Brigade" say - I think 2,000 there tomorrow is decent enough. If this fixture was five year ago there would be at least 2,500 or if it was on the back of four or five victories there would be the same again. I think a few 200-300 have been deterred by the fact it's ticket-only. It's a fixture at an awkward time for me and the group I go with. I'm at a wedding, two or three are working, one is on holiday and another is away for the weekend.

We also got battered 4-0 by Yeovil (and we were lucky it wasn't 8) in the worst professional football performance I have ever seen.

 

It wasn't great yesterday, but the reaction is way over the top. The players are playing for the manager and each other. 4 games in, that is all.

I don't think the issue here isn't commitment from either player or manager. It's the poor system and inability to string together a fluid five minutes; which in turn is allowing the opposition to create far too many chances, particularly at home.

On the flip side, those who are calling for Kelly to go are idiots. You can criticise peformances - especially so early on in a new season - without equating that with the sacking of a manager.

Personally I'm backing Kelly to work on his systems and get results that we deserve (you can make a case for us to be on 1 point, drawing the opener and losing the three since). If you are not you are demonstrating a position found in pre-season and being heavily influenced by tittle tattle.

(I heard the phrase tittle tattle for the first time in ages and have been dying to use it since).

Fleetwood and Shrewsbury could have scored ten between them. I thought we were awful again for the following reasons:

1. Not able to dictate a league game at home because of the 4-2-3-1 system

2. Two holding midfielders is the main issue for the above

3. Philiskirk is not a holding midfielder

4. Unfit Dunn behind a winger acting as a strike was bound to fail

5. Gap between Kelly/Philiskirk and Dunn creates a huge gap that both Fleetwood and Shrewsbury exploited

6. Players out of position

However, we're unbeaten (extremely fortunate to be so) and we have plenty of time to adjust to find an effective system.

Very disappointed all in all.

 

I am in benidorm but atleast it aint Burton.

I ain't in Benidorm or Burton, but Bolton.

I'm at a wedding. And another wedding when we play Donny.

Typical.