daniel8157

I dont think its a great signing but I will support the guy 100%.

Kiegan Parker or Lee Hughes - you decide

On ability to get goals - Lee Hughes all day

I dont think he would be a good signing but I trust DP.

Don't hold your breath waiting for DP to sign him.

If we sign him great but if we dont I wont lose any sleep over it. I'm sure DP will bring in a quality CB either way.

Hmm I'm sure we said that about Alessandra.

 

E4e

DJAVU

I guess DP sees him playing some part this season with him playing in both the friendlies so far but I guess we sill have to wait and see.

I wasnt overly impressed with him in the Hyde game but you cant really make any judgement on someone in 45 mins but DP obviously thinks he's got something and hopefully he will push for a place in the first team. Cant beat having competition for places.

Hopefully we will have two future starts in him and Brooke.

Trying to find directions to The Shay for tonight but the postcode (HX1 2YS) isn’t recognised by AA routeplanner (or the RAC one) and there is no street name in the address which hinders my usual preferred tool of navigation, a map!

 

I’m guessing some on here have been before? If I get myself to the town centre is it easy enough to find? I imagine that could be the case with it being HX1…? I'll be going through Rishworth...

 

Incidentally, according to Wikipedia, Halifax are underway with a new 8000+ seater East Stand which will take their capacity up to 15000!

Try google maps. if you put in the shay, halifax it will find it and use the route planner on there

Dont get me wrong, I like Rubes and I would be perfectly happy with him and Greegs as our CB's. I'm just saying I personally prefer Haining. I think if we did sign high we would have 3 good CB's.

I think on an abilty scale, I think they are both at a similar level. I think Taylor would be valued higher as midfielders and forward do tend to be more expensive than defenders.

I think £500k-£700k with a sell on % would be a good bit a business. Spend £100k-£200k on replacing him and the same again on a striker with a bit left over to help with the club running costs.

Can't say a care anymore tbh

He's not as slow as Gregan, granted. But he's still slow.

Granted, he's not quick but people make out like you could walk past him. A pacey striker is only a problem if he gets in behind the defenders which would be hard to do if you have two CB's that can read the game well.

I would personally would feel more comfortable with Will and Greegs at the back than with Rubes and his amazing back-pass.

I dont know why everyone goes on about Hainings pace, he's not that slow.

From the Chron

ATHLETIC are giving goalkeeper James Spencer the chance to resurrect his football career.

The 24-year-old, who is training at Boundary Park, was one of five trialists who appeared in last night’s 2-0 victory at Hyde United in their opening pre-season friendly.

Athletic are looking for goalkeeping cover for Dean Brill after allowing Greg Fleming to join Scottish side Dunfermline on a season-long loan.

They were alerted to the availability of Spencer, who was released by Rochdale at the end of the season.

Spencer made his debut for Stockport County at the age of 16 in 2002, going on to make 108 first-team appearances and at one time being linked with lucrative moves to Sunderland and West Brom.

But after having limited opportunities in 2006/07 he joined Rochdale that summer on a two-year contract.

Spencer made only 22 appearances for Dale in his two years at the club as he suffered a double hernia and stress fracture of the hip.

He joined Chester City on an emergency loan for their final five matches of the season, but was unable to prevent them being relegated from the Football League.

Manager Dave Penney said: “James has a lot of experience with Stockport and Rochdale and looked like being a top keeper at one stage, but he has lost his way.

“It was probably a bit unfair last night as James didn’t have a save to make. He probably wanted shots flying , but I wasn’t really able to judge him.”

Penney added that he has to decide soon whether to bring in an experienced replacement for Fleming or go with rookie Josh Ollerenshaw on the bench and bring in a loan player should Brill be injured.

Central-defender Will Haining was another of the trialists, but the identities of the three other players used were not disclosed.

Athletic suffered another injury scare when Neal Eardley was taken off with a tight calf muscle.

Eardley, a half-time substitute, lasted barely 20 minutes before he was taken off but that was a precautionary move as much as anything.

After a double training stint yesterday and match last night, there was no rest for the players who were forced to report in at eight o’clock this morning for a session in the swimming pool.

Penney was pleased with Athletic’s workout last night, saying they looked sharp and bright in the opening 45 minutes

Hyde United 0, Athletic 2

MANAGER Dave Penney may be creating a new-look Athletic team, but it was two survivors from last season who secured last night’s victory at Hyde United in their opening pre-season friendly.

Goals from Danny Whitaker and Lewis Alessandra earned Athletic a win at Blue Square North side Hyde which ought to have been far more emphatic than the scoreline suggests.

They were denied three times by the crossbar and, together with other openings, they could have triumphed by a far wider margin in what proved a satisfactory workout.

There will be far more rigorous challenges further down the line in pre-season, but there was little which could be faulted from this encouraging display.

The one irritating part of the night was the presence of un-named trialists in the Athletic line-up which turns reporting the facts of the match into a farce.

Surely if players, some of whom were foreign, appear in a competitive fixture in front of paying customers, the fans have a right to know who they are watching.

Apart from trialist keeper James Spencer, the former Stockport and Rochdale shot-stopper, Athletic fielded a completely different line-up in each half as new-boy Dean Brill was made to wait for his debut.

Spencer did not have a shot to save so it was almost impossible to evaluate him.

Penney’s line-up for the opening half was far stronger than the one used for the second period when Spencer and Will Haining were among five trialists used, the other three remaining anonymous.

You would imagine seven or eight members of the first-half side will be starting the season’s opening fixture against Stockport County.

Of the new players, Dean Furman caught the eye in the opening half as he relished the role of ball-playing midfielder. He sprays passes around with ease and was likened in style to former Latics favourite Neil Kilkenny.

New signings Joe Jacobson and Pawel Abbott also starred in the opening half, while Jon Worthington beefed up the midfield in the second period when Athletic fielded a far less experienced side.

Athletic opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Chris Taylor provided the assist for Whitaker to confidently cut back from his right to left foot before curling an exquisite shot into the top corner from outside the penalty area.

Abbott provided a delightful touch to create an opening for himself as he fired against a post when he ought to have been celebrating.

Athletic added a second goal shortly before half time when keeper Josh Ollerenshaw, who Athletic loaned to Hyde for the opening period, failed to gather a long punt forward and Alessandra had a relatively easy finish.

It was all change in the second period in which Athletic must still be wondering how they failed to increase their goal return.

First-year professional Chris Rowney, a midfield player in the Nick Henry/Mike Milligan mould, forced a decent save from Hyde keeper Michael Jones.

Athletic’s unknown giant trialist central defender, who is believed to be from London, saw a terrific shot strike the crossbar and at the death he was denied by a super stop by Jones.

Striker Chris O’Grady, back from the wilderness after three spells out on loan last season, also made an impact in the second period when he was denied by the crossbar, a fine save from Jones and a goalline clearance.

FIRST HALF (4-4-2): Spencer; Lomax, Hazell, Gregan, Jacobson; Smalley, Whitaker, Furman, Taylor; Abbott, Alessandra.

SECOND HALF (4-4-2): Spencer; Eardley (Trialist 68), Trialist, Haining, Black; Lee, Worthington, Rowney, Trialist; O’Grady, Wolfenden.

Smalley and Taylor have also been known to play as strikers. But then again we dont know what DP's thoughts are with regards who plays where.

 

The player in question is a winger though who certainly likes to score a goal or two. I have also found a quote by DP saying that he was sad to see this player leave after having him on loan at Darlington.

Joe Colbeck

Years Club App (Gls)*

2004–2007 Bradford City 101 (8)

→ Darlington (loan) 006 (2)

someone was winging at half time about the new away shirt that keep the faith was on the inside and that the oldham athletic didnt have a space inbetween on the badge.... cant anyone be happy love to know who that was

I love the new shirt. best in a while. Better fit, better material and looks better than the home shirt (dont have the flux yellow so cant compare to that)

How did the team play as a whole? Style, effort, passing etc? Any major changes from last season?

Didn't cover himself with glory for the second goal, couldnt do a great deal for the first. Hard to judge off 45 mins of football.

I dont think Smalley played as bad as people are making out, made some good runs and played in a few nice crosses.

How did the team play as a whole? Style, effort, passing etc? Any major changes from last season?

IMO we looked a lot better than this time last year (and a lot fitter)

I think our midfield will be a lot stronger this year than last.

Not surprising the new boys get most of the mentions, so some thoughts about the players we know first...

 

Lomax - excellent first half, very sharp, looks stronger than last season, will push both our first choice full backs all the way for a place.

 

Hazell - probably the sharpest I've seen him, looks to have shed at least half a stone since the end of the season, hopefully a sign he's back to the player we knew at the start of last season instead of the error prone (and injured?) shadow of himself by the end.

 

Gregan - definitely fitter and more mobile, so I don't care that his arse is still bigger than Gordon's.

 

Alessandra - took his goal well, linked up well with Abbott at times, but I still find myself asking for a bit more direct threat.

 

Whitaker - lovely placed left foot shot for his goal, got into that kind of position often enough but drifted too, can't see him in our best eleven but still a fine squad player for us.

 

Lee - confused me no end that he wore the same number shirt as Furman. Once I realised it was him, I thought he looked quicker, fitter and more effective than he was last season - I think he could be one to break through this season.

 

Wolfenden - I REALLY want him to make a go of it, but got knocked off the ball far too easily against non-league defenders ... won't see the best of him until he's match sharp but I think his chance may have gone by then.

 

Chris O'Grady - started the half slowly but finished it one of our best players, desperately unlucky not to bag, I think he can give us something more this season - he may have to if Abbott gets injured.

 

Eardley - didn't see enough of him (guessing it was a knock?), but I have a feeling he's going to mature this season and become one of our star players.

 

Black - getting better all the time, needs games on loan this season I reckon.

 

Smalley - still growing! Some nice touches, I'd rather see him up front though.

 

Taylor - bit of a cameo really, some nice little runs to give us a glimpse of what he can (and will) do for us.

 

Rowney (if it was him!) - (centre midfield second half) - first time I've seen him, looked busy but a bit erratic, at his size he's going to need to be good to make it!

 

The new boys - Furman looks class, Abbott gives us something we've lacked up front since Porter and Killen and played some lovely little through balls, Jacobson did nowt wrong, Worthington will dominate midfields (can't wait to see him and Furman together), and it was almost like Will Haining was never away (I'd still worry about him alongside Gregan though - too similar).

 

Of the trialists, I wouldn't mind seeing that centre-half against a decent forward line, the left winger looked decent at times and had a bit of pace for someone with legs shorter than Tommy Wright's, didn't learn much about the forward, the keeper had a great gob on him but had a tendency to punch in a crowd.

Good summary. Now you mention it Abbott does kind of remind me of Porter.

Dont forget this is there first game in a while. Abbott isnt going to be the type of player to overly throw himself about in friendlies. Especially given his injury record.

 

We do need another striker. Think a pacy striker is a must. Someone who can feed off the flick on's that Abbott will no doubt make. He'll prove to be a cracking target man who'll chip in with a fair few goals. Dont forget he was unlucky not too score tonight.

 

At the moment the only front two you can see at the club starting against Stockport is O'Grady and Abbott. Bit too much like for like those two for me. Both like to hold the ball up and work from there.

 

Good following from Latics. Attendance given around 710 mark.

I did like the look of Abbott some nice touches, didnt realise how tall he was (quite funny when he was stood with Lewi and Wolfy before the game)

Good job it is still 13th July, kick off isn't until 8th August.

Oh yeah im certain DP will have another striker in by then, im just saying thats the one area I think we are lacking a little (and obviously need another CB)

Looks like we should have some good balance down the left flank jacobson looks very capable

 

My worries are up front i dont think we have goals in us there we desparately need a prolific frontman i see abbott being someone a decent striker can play off as he has a decent touch but is slow as

Agree with you, def need another good striker. I do think Abbott will score a few just think he's lacking a bit of match sharpness

Of the new players for me Jacobson was the stand out player, never wasted a ball, he looks an excellent signing by the manager.

Furman also impressed me with his industy, but I thought Abbott, although showing some clever touches looked short of fitness.

Worthington certainly added some bite in the 2nd half.

A mention about O'Grady, I thought he did well and really put himself in line as a first choice strike partner alongside Abbott.

Agree with most of that (still not 100% on COG)

Did Pericard play?

That might be the lad that came on near the end. If it was he didnt really have enough pitch time to make a judgement.

I thought Kieran Lee showed up well, him and Eardley will do damage this season together.

Good to see Abbott & Alessandra together, should ensure we keep the ball in the oppositions half more.

Jacobsen looks incisive, always wanting the ball.

 

What did people think of the trialists, inc Haining? I thought the number 4 for Hyde was better than both, anybody agree?

Lee did look good. There no 4 did look ok but Haining didnt have much to do apart from win a few headers.

I thought Lewi got the 2nd?

 

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your right, my mistake.