opinions4u

I think the least disruption to home fans is if we hand the Chaddy over to visitors. I'm sure this isn't beyond the ability of police/safety officials !!

Reminded me of Argentina's equaliser v England in 1998. Except better!

Lewis seems to be able to play with anybody. This is a major asset. For me a fit Hughes is easily our best man up front. As I've said on other posts, this is the first time the two have played together (I think) and we score 3 in a few minutes. Davies doesn't use his pace enough. O'Grady has promise. Smalley's a wide man. Wolfy's not quite good enough. So I'm with you - Lewis A and Hughsey to start the key games.

First time Lewis and Hughsey have been on the pitch together I think. Seemed to work quite well! Davies and O'Grady were never going to create anything today so Sheridan did exactly the right thing in canning them early. I would rest Hughsey on Tuesday and save him for Leeds!

What a game! Goal within first 10 seconds (anybody got an official time on it?), own goal, penalty, red card, amazing come back and ducking the bottles coming over from the Millwall fans! I didn't think we played that well - very similar to last season where we had the ball a lot and not a clue what to do with it, and the midfield rarely making the late run to join the attacking duo. Quick review of the players as I saw it: Crossley - would love to know what was said or wasn't said to Hazell for the second and think he should have dealt with the third. Eardley - fine and more long range shooting to be encouraged. Love the run from the free kick for the 4th Lomax - fine Hazell - let's put it down to first game nightmare - his worst performance for Latics? Still my first choice at CB. Gregan - as for Hazell, but would consider Stam/Hazell the proven partnership Taylor - decent game, looked to get outside his man more today and was always a threat - great finish Liddle - delivered some decent passes/crosses and found the net twice. Should take free kicks/corners ahead of Maher Maher - underwhelmed. Too many dead balls given straight to the keeper and doesn't look like he'll link with the front two Allott - played his usual game, but for Allott to have won player of the season sums up the contribution of others O'Grady - ok, doesn't jump enough and could do more to use his strength Davies - I'm sure he could use his pace to better effect, but would deliver more with a more supportive midfield Whittaker - made the difference with some incisive passing Hughes - won the pen and free kick and laid on the the goal for Lewis - a fit Hughes must always start Alessandra - first time he's played with Hughes and we score 3 in 30 minutes. Nuff said. First choice strike duo for me

Given that I'm in seat 106 for the season, I assume you mean on the other side of then fence!

I like a goalie with a nice turn of skill ... ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBV1pqzAEuI

We ain't gonna win the FA Cup. The League Cup is a big ask. We're no tin Europe. The winners of the paint-pot (or windscreen wiper, or whatever it's called) often go on to higher things, unless they're called Wrexham. Show some ambition Latics - aim to win this - fingers crossed it will be the last time we play in it too!

This is a fantastic trophy that Latics, with the squad we have, should go all out to win. Fans deserve a trip to Wembley. Time the club gave it to us.

Pieterson is no captain and I predict his game will suffer as a result. And without his runs we are a truly average cricket side. Anyone think they've given him the job to stop him flitting off to some highly paid show in India?

If he knows his mind isn't right he's made a good decision to move on. I personally don't see him being recalled either as batsman or skipper in future. As for the replacement, I really don't think Pieterson would be a great captain. Too selfish. Great player, but I don't think the added responsibility of leadership will change him. The Rob Key option intrigues me. He's never quite been good enough for the test side, but suddenly people say he should run the show? Odd, but I like the idea of an outside influence coming in to freshen things up. Collingwood blew it as a poor one day captain, deteriorating after a promising start. Flintoff proved that bowler's shouldn't captain the side. Which brings me to Strauss. Who had a short spell in charge a couple of years ago and did well. So Strauss or Key for me. Any other suggestions?

£300k not enough. Double it and add some and we should sell.

Not sure it's their choice. Sale Sharks are the landlords!

I think Taylor's a decent player who had a difficult second season as the opposition sussed out what had worked so well for him previously. Towards the end of the campaign he got it together more. Other than his pi$$ poor corners I'd like him to stay. But £750k is a price worth letting him go for.

Quick glimpse at the team sheet and didn't spot Hughes. Rested? Injured again? Leaving? Any ideas?

Latics 2-1 Millwall Davies, Taylor 5,980

No problem at all with centre half and keeper hammering out an understanding in the pre-season friendlies to ensure things are all ship shape in time for the Millwall game. I would probably play Gregan and Hazell, but Stam is no mug and was part of a fairly successful defence last season - so good competition for places. If Thompson is fit he may show the doubters (including me) that he's a better player than he was able to show last season. From what I see of the squad, it looks like Eardley and Lomax remaining at full back. I do think we're a full back light squad wise in defence though and playing the likes of Hazell / Taylor as full backs must be seen as an absolute no! A fully fit Gregan will be less likely to make those errors than the bloke short of fitness / match practice. Not sure who is going to make up the midfield alongside Allott. Would assume Taylor, but competition for places will be important to keep him on his toes. Whittaker, Maher, Lee and Smalley would proably be a touch ahead of an aging Lids, but he's no mug and will deliver accuracy in to the heart of the penalty area when needed. Up front we are spoilt for choice. Alessander could partner anybody. The guy is class and will probably play much of his career at a higher level. I would probably go with a fit Hughes and Davies though. Not seen O'Grady, but people on here seem impressed. Ultimately, we have genuine competition for places. Sheridan can have no excuses this season. He has the squad in place. Does he know who he's going to play? What formation? What options he'll change to when we're 1-0 up? How he'll chase a game down when we're a goal behind? How he'll turn a draw in to a win with 10 minutes left? Big squad. Good players. Should improve on eighth. Let's hit the ground running!

If Lee Hughes is fit, he has to start. Simple as that. Not sure about Wolfenden. I would loan him out. He didn't get many chances to come on last season to get a good 20 minutes when we were two or three goals up, so as such was expected to come on and change games where we were struggling - a big ask for any inexperienced player. Assuming no leavers, this BIG squad has got to deliver for Sheridan, or we'll be looking for a new manager after Christmas

He was hired to do a job and didn't deliver. I think he got everything he deserved.

It is more than possible to be an Israeli Arab. Ethnic groups: Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Religions: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) So there are over 1 million Muslim Israelis. While I had always assumed that Abdul was a Pakistani (and by association presumably Muslim) name, a Google search on "Is Abdul A Jewish Name" highlights that Paula Abdul has Jewish parents. In fact rumour has it Paula Abdul is quite a nifty creative midfielder.

JP Kalalalala is superb at passing the ball sideways or backwards. I agree with the statement that he's the kind of player you need to help retain a slender lead away from home. Most on here will agree that we need a midfielder who can break up play and then link up quickly with the attack (the 'creative' midfielder that every club so wants, and so few have). Kalala ain't that guy. I also agree that Sheridan is right to let him go (if someone will have him) too.

Don't underestimate Stockport. They won away games against all the other three promoted sides and play a passing game. As long as they get hold of somebody to replace Liam Dickinson they'll finish mid-table.

I would like to see more lower league football on the box. But put yourself in Sky's shoes for a minute. If only 5,000 from the host town itself can be bothered to turn up and watch, why would another million viewers tune in to make the advertising revenue worthwhile? Cheaper to put on Oz Aerobics. Now that does have potential to attract an audience!

4-4-3 works magnificently for me. As long as the ref doesn't notice.

I don't see Hazell as a right back. But can see him and Stam playing much of the season together at centre back as Gregan's fitness levels may be suspect. Good to have competition for places there. As for full back, I think Lomax is good enough, although should probably be on the right, which, if a left sided defender is brought in, gives the option of pushing Eardley in to midfield. The idea of having a midfielder who can kick the round bally thing in to the big netty thing is quite appealing! Stuff the "creative midfielder" line, just somebody who can link with the strikers and smash the scraps in to the top corner of the net is good enough for me!