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As has been mentioned previously, Wellens is pretty well connected. If the club mess him about, which I doubt they are doing, he'll move on and get fixed up elsewhere.

Is Wellens on the payroll yet? The club said he was 'helping out' as they did with the other backroom staff. No announcement has been made regarding contracts etc unless I've missed it. If he's signed a contract midway through the month he may have to wait til the end of august to be paid. I had to work 6 weeks in hand in my job and I work for a much larger organisation than Latics.

I've learnt never to read much into these season previews. Every season there is usually a surprise package or two and on the flip side there is a team or teams that struggle when tipped to do well. Hopefully we will be a surprise package this season.

Kean started off quite solidly but suffered a massive confidence loss midway through his spell here. As mentioned, coincidentally when LJ left. The same could be said for several players. Coleman replaced him during the MK game and couldn't be dislodged after that. I trust Shez to get some consistency out of him if it's us that have made the bid.

Surely you not forgotten the: "he used to be shite, but now he's alright, walking in an Allott wonderland" chant?

Well that rules out one competitor for Ripley's signature.

Whilst Douglas is undoubtedly a quality midfielder, comparing him to Shez is like comparing apples and oranges.

I remember saying to a friend following the Boxing Day defeat to Doncaster that Matt Smith doesn't have it (he should've had a hatrick in that game). The FA cup games were the catalyst and were the making of him. The 3 goals in a week against Bury, Yeovil and Crawley were crucial too. I believe Corney had tried to bin him off to Macclesfield before those exploits so it's just as well they didn't take him up on the offer.

Well Barry was allegedly signing the players at this time due to Kelly's lack of contacts.

He's a steady Eddie type player. Shez obviously appreciates this and has got the best out of him. Yet his predecessors Kelly and Robbo ignored this and instead preferred inexperienced youngsters. Indeed Kelly tried to bin him off to Notts County. It's all to do with man management. He's always been a solid 7/10 player under shez and one of the first names on the team sheet.

Thanks BP ?

Not sure how to add links but there is a match report written from a Swindon perspective on the official Swindon website.

He dished back after being on the receiving end of dogs abuse, which was understandable at the time. A lot of fans were raw at the club as we seemingly waved the white flag at a playoff shot. Why does he need to apologise?

Just when I thought we were free from trips to Vale park for a few years. Now this!

Absolutely, we have a fair few precious fans who can give out pelters easily but can't take it back.

To summarise, he was given dogs abuse by a section of our fans in the main stand, as was LJ. He got fed up of it (as I'm sure most people would) and dished some back to the said section of fans. I can't remember exactly what was said but i'm sure some others on here could elaborate further. Despite the bitterness of him leaving to go over the hill for the pot of gold with LJ I think Tommy Wright is a good assistant manager at this level. And one that Shez obviously trusts and knows well too.

I think you've got too much spare time on your hands if you can prepare stats like that. I'm sure the last time we gained promotion we were one of if not the longest serving member of that respective division. I'm sure one of the stattos could prove otherwise if not the case. And back in those time we were living within our means wheeling and dealing players to balance the books. We got lucky with some signings and the cup runs and the rest is history.

Can't see anything in it to be honest. He's still under contract at Barnet and has only ever played for southern based teams.

I find it astounding that something you were aware of last summer has only recently come to the attention of the ground staff. Unless the ground staff were aware of it but had their hands tied due to the state of the club's finances and had to seek a low budget solution.

I'd expect most of that bunch to extend their deals. Green and Wilson are both seasoned pro's towards the end of their careers and are based relatively close to area. They'd only move on if another local club came in for them. Tope has played under Shez before and knows him well. Kettings will be picking up a wage solely for warming a bench and playing against Blackburn reserves behind closed doors once in a blue moon. Edmondson signing on all hinges on any possible interest from elsewhere. If he does move on we'll be due compensation.

Ah rite. Never knew this, thought the police had dropped the case.

Always thought Barraclough would move on in the summer as he wasn't Shez's appointment. I expected Shez to appoint his own man in due course. I expected Barraclough to link up with Robinson again once he got the Motherwell gig. Wright would have to eat a bit of humble pie coming back here. During the sting he was recorded as saying words to the effect that he was fed up of driving hundreds of miles to scout for bargain basement deals. Something he'd have to get used to doing again in he returned to BP

Played under Shez on loan at Chesterfield earlier in his career so he'll know him and know what he's about.

Thanks Prozac. That was a good read for somebody who doesn't routinely buy programmes.

Pretty much voted along the same lines as how the polls have resulted. Voted not to keep Taylor as despite his history and connections with the club etc. I think Shez can bring a similar standard of player in who won't command the wedge that he is presumably on.