LaticsLegend

Fair enough but Kitching is the only one, and he's a left back. Unfair to rely on him doing the job of two positions every week

Get players who can actually make assists and he'll score goals. It's pretty simple.

We don't have anyone who can dictate a game from the middle, nor do we have anyone who can run at a full back or anyone who can cross a ball. Without at least two of those, we're always going to make hard work of games. I think he needs to dip into the loan market.

Loved yesterday and enjoy all the to and fro between the fans but some seriously embarrassing behaviour yesterday. Some of the usual suspects, old enough to be grandfathers, who seem to be looking for trouble every time I see them at it again. Must be a pretty sad existence.

Think we need a longer term solution to this issue, hopefully Mellon recognises this and is allowed to get someone in.

Speaking of right backs, we need one to put poor Will Sutton out of his misery in that position. He got ripped apart from start to finish yesterday.

They called a game off at Spotland a couple of weeks ago to a waterlogged pitch, so not sure it holds up to well to rain. Doesn't help their groundsman is currently suspended either... Got a feeling they'll call it off at the first opportunity. A Tuesday night game saves them a lot of hassle with fans too.

He has around 1 good game in 8. Not a starter if we are serious about promotion.

I think the point he's making is instilling a style such as his will take time to reap it's rewards and results, and that our fans have little patience.

Two possible scenarios here then. New manager is either agreed and ready to come in before Saturday therefore Thompson has left....or they haven't decided who the new man is yet but Thompson has been told he won't be getting it either way, and has seen his arse and left us managerless for Saturday.

Can't see it. Massive conflict of interest managing your 'old' club vs your new club on your last game having already accepted the job. Wouldn't happen.

Selfishly, as a non ST holder, pleased that I managed to get one fairly easily. Releasing ticket news the night before means some ST holders may not have even realised they were on sale, never mind managed to get online and get one. Not limiting sales per person was worse than not giving ST holders first dibs. People posting pics buying 10 at once for their day tripper mates.. Wonder whether it was an oversight or intentional for some reason? Or whether the ticket site is even capable of doing it.

Spot on this. Absolutely desperate for a midfield player who can receive the ball further up the pitch and/or opposition's half, get his head up and make things happen with confidence. Without it we're always going to be limited no matter who the manager is.

6 months experience whilst MK went down before they binned him. Former defender with the bulk of his experience academy level. Not sure why we'd take that risk again. Far better options out there with first team experience.

It's an interesting theory about something being in the contract, given what his family told @Lee Sinnott last season about being guaranteed the job for 2 years of the three. Personally, I can't work out whether it's the pay off, the Royle's being pals with him, the club wanting to stop hiring and firing culture, something in his contract or a combination of all of the above.

It would be a fair request. If Rooney knows this, it's likely he'll be even more stubborn about his pay off and leverage the fact we need him out the door to bring someone in to a struggling midfield.

By the way, what is it with the long ball from every kick off? I've seen us win headers from no more than about 2 of them since he came in. Incredibly annoying just handing the opposition the ball immediately. What's wrong with just getting comfortable with the ball on the ground?

With all the hysteria of yesterday, there hasn't been much comment on some of the reasons for what have been regarded as pretty poor performances both yesterday and Tuesday. The pairing of Sheron and Shelton is probably the most devoid of creativity I have seen in an Oldham midfield. Its a huge problem when you play the way we do. They have absolutely no ambition, creativity or ability to play in a progressive way. Every team in the division seems to find it way easier for their midfield to get their foot on the ball, play it forwards and carve an opportunity out. Let's hope Lundstram, Ward or potential new midfielder can offer much more than the current pair, as the combination of the personnel and the manager's approach will mean we are always limited in how we control games and ultimately how much success we'll have. The fear is the manager's approach will mean it doesn't matter who plays there anyway, but time will tell.

There are things he can control and things he can't. I'm willing to cut a bit of slack as Dickensen and Freeman looked, understandably, absolutely knackered due to their lack of game time over the past 12 months. He also had no real choice but to play Tollitt who for me is not up to scratch and was shocking last night. With Lundstram and Ward injured, having to play Sheron and Shelton who both have no creativity, is also far from ideal. However, I can totally understand the frustration of the approach and tactics (both last night and since he's been here) and also the unwillingness to make subs in situations where they're blatantly needed. I'm on the fence, but he really doesn't help himself at times.

Does it not get tiring playing the smart arse all the time?

If you think it's hysteria on here, you want to see Twitter.

Seems to be confusion within some Latics fans between the current truth vs. assumptions on assumptions on assumptions. One person's opinion, guess or rumour, and it's speculated knock on effect, can quickly become some people's version of the truth around here.

Found it really odd we didn't use more then 2 subs today given its the last chance to get minutes in legs in pre season. Should have given Hope, Tollitt and Gardner, if fit enough, a run out and also given Willoughby a bit longer. Hobson is a decent stopper and seemed to get some good blocks in and win some 50/50s, but he doesn't like being ran at. Got done twice (I think) for their two second half goals and they nearly scored another when it happened again. Team still looks imbalanced to me, can't really have Kitching (who I think is our best outlet at times) at wing back and Green on the other side doing the job in a different way. Lundstram is clearly going be really important as Sheron and Shelton don't have enough creativity between them. Thought we held Mansfield out well before the goal and created a bit ourselves. We won't be playing teams as decent as them every week in this league and I have confidence we'll have enough to beat plenty of sides in this division. A few things to sort if we want to be a 'winning machine' though.

You had a Golden klaxon lined up at one stage didn't you?

We've been in for three RBs this summer. Ogle, Golden and Grimshaw. On that basis I assume it is something he's still looking at, and won't just sign one for the sake of it.