ooroger

I’ve been an Oldham fan for almost 30 years and come to Boundary Park 1-2 times each season (I live overseas) while vising family. This time, I was time I was…um…fortunate enough to watch back-to-back matches against Port Vale and Cheltenham. Here’s my summary for your discussion: In both games, Frankie Bunn’s tactics were better suited to away games – he employed two forwards (O’Grady and Baxter) neither of whom are goalscorers. In the second half against Cheltenham, the additions of Miller, Benteke, and pushing Lang even further forward sparked life into the team. No-one around me is a fan of Benteke. A rash of injuries (especially to Surridge) is concerning and surprising Gardner was my man of the match for Saturday; he’s the one midfielder who has the vision (and leg strength) to pass the ball across the field. He also was our most effective attacking option with several shots from outside the box. On Tuesday, he dropped too deep, picking up the ball from Edmundson and Clarke, but he does not lack for effort I would find it difficult to create a starting place for Baxter – he’s not fast enough to be an out-and-out striker and doesn’t have the strength or size to play as a holding or attacking midfielder. Yes, he could unlock a defence with a smart pass (and we certainly could use some guile) but that doesn’t outweigh his deficiencies, even at this level. Our defence will keep us up. Other than Clarke’s penalty aberration on Saturday and Edmundson getting beat in the air on Tuesday, they were very solid. Both Hamer and Hunt weathered some bruising challenges and came forward well to support our attacks Port Vale and Cheltenham were terrible. Despite going 1-0 behind, Cheltenham barely moved beyond half-way and our keeper didn’t have a shot to save. If this is the standard of League 2, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be in the playoffs with a few more goals at home I want the Chaddy End back

The right call but odd timing, letting Wellens hang around for a month and begin planning for next season.

He does, but look at this team. Too many one-trick ponies, a terrible midfield, and just not enough heart. It must be horrible as manager to watch this crap.

What do you reckon - 20% possession in the second half?

Northampton are passing it around like Real Madrid. We are chasing them and just kicking it up in the air

We cant get hold of the ball.

Pringle just hops/runs around the ball. Hard to ascertain whether he's a real footballer or a guest of the manager's, just out for a run-around.

Gooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll!

They've started much stronger in the second half. We look tired.

What the hell is Ibrahimovic doing next to Johnny, every time he kicks it downfield?

Come on Charlton. Surely a play-off team has to score one goal against a team in the bottom four?

But look at how many chances we've missed. Doyle alone is 0-15 in recent weeks, taking good opportunities.

That said, you can see why we're in the position we are, judging by how few consecutive passes we put together. The team operates a little like Nazon - just put your head down and hope that you end up in front of goal with the ball still at your feet.

There's still 45 minutes to go. We have been the better team and look threatening on the left wing. Their keeper looks a bit suspect as well. I could see them committing a defensive error and us snatching a goal.

First touch there for Pringle. 44 minutes gone.

Placide came out and should have pocketed the ball rather than trying to kick it away.

Fantastic crowd support - OWTB!!!!!

Am watching on iFollow in a bar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Most nervous I'v been in many a year. Come on Oldham!

I agree that this has been a long-term decline/misdirection that Sheridan managed to paper over with late wins to avoid relegation. From the lack of funds to the revolving door of managers; from the inability to find a 20+ goals per season striker, to the state of the pitch; from the three-sided stadium, to daliance with Ched Evans, Oldham Athletic has long suffered from the lack of a defining vision and strategy. We seem to lurch from one bad decision to the next. There are many people associated with the club that work long hours for average wages, but we just cannot seem to get out of our own way and make any progress. Still, I for one, am still behind the club and hoping for one more last-ditch effort to avoid relegation.

From the reading of this discussion, sounds like a horrible performance without a shot on goal - the YouTube highlights bear that out. It was only a matter of time before Rochdale scored....but they didn't. On its own, this was a good point away from home. But, when you look at this in conjunction with two draws at BP against out-of-form teams, this becomes a much worse point. We are running out of games and need a win. The only saving grace is an away game at (likely already relegated) Northampton which could confirm our League One status for the 97th consecutive year.

My son, Jack, is supposed to be the mascot today. We live in Michigan and wanted to watch Latics before we head back to the USA tomorrow. It's still snowing near Hebden Bridge....

In the early 1990s, it was Port Vale (Beckford was a handful and their ground a mess of corrugated steel), Tranmere (delusions of grandeur), and Barnsley (no great reason why, just seemed formidable).

Yeates was very good. Ran at defenders tirelessly. And he tried to get the crowd going. The only player with genuine skill and pace.

Name: Mick Location: Washington, DC (raised in Littleborough, near Rochdale, though) How Long Supporting the Tics: 19 years Best away match you've been to: Huddersfield in 2006/2007. A 3-0 win and a packed away end All Time Greatest Player: Andy Ritchie Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? It should be Tranmere, but it's become Huddersfield (due to Luke Beckett being there and scoring against us each time we play)