dcfrance

I'm resigned to a new manager, who would not have been my first choice, but then again I along with everybody else know nothing about his managerial potential - the people appointing him are the ones who have to be convinced - the pity is they do not appear to have the conviction to announce the appointment and silence the speculation. I understand the new manager whoever he may be might be on holiday -but with all the leaks (are they intentional???) I think an announcement would be the opportunity to silence the critics and underline their support of the new appointment if it is to be Dickov then fine but lets all sign up to giving him time - no moaning before Xmas - no Dickov out before we have played at least 16 games - and no anti jock jokes!

I'll give you four players -all from the sixties and all from north of the border -three of whom have already had a mention Sandy Wann, Alan Lawson and an old friend of mine George Sievewright ( George was brought down from Dundee to look after Bobby johnson -a job he took very seriously!!!!) the fourth candidate would be none other than Jimmy Frizzel who had no problem looking after himself and the rest of the team when req,d -of the four and I may be biased I'd pick out George -lovely bloke off the pitch -but def. one to be on your side on the pitch

my thoughts are in line with you and wardlelatic -but how about a further twist -appoint a manager that has international experience, is known in higher grade football, who can still play a bit and who would give a boost to the club both in the press and I think to the fans. so a player manager, who needs time to get to know the job but has the prestige and the contacts and a presence on the pitch, an assistant manager who knows the club and the players and the expectation of the fans and a player coach who will take no crap from anyone I give you Butt, Gray and Greagan -go on you know it makes sense

Wishful thinking and a load of common sense - in original post I did say "I hope"

we will not be relegated so what about the close season - For me DP stays give him a chance to build on the end of season run and more importantly the spirit being shown. That being the case what does he do to avoid another close season which brings up to nine new faces - or do we need nine new faces. To start where do I get nine from Aljofree -short term fix will go Purdie - will he ever be fit -could go Flahavan - would like to see him stay but again could go Colbeck -already gone - Ihope Parker - same as colbeck Fleming - will not return :censored: - could do a job but is the rift really over- Goodwin - could go back over the hill for me Guy - sign him up -but not done yet - so could still go There could be more ( Brill +)but what we don't need is another close season of wholesale change - for me we should make every effort to keep Flahavan, Guy and :censored: - if that was done plus a possible second keeper I would be happy to go into the close season looking just for another central defender and giving more opportunities to some of the youth players. It also would send out the message that DP knows his squad and is happy with the players - no mean thing after some of the buying and loaning of this season. Presumably some of the wages saved could be made available to purchase a couple of sound players if available -but not out of panic. I for one would welcome a close season with little change and time for consolidation

OK so I,m further away from the action than most of you guys -but the recent call for DP,s head is way off the mark - this is the same manager who a few weeks ago, with a full squad and back up players on the subs bench got us to just outside the play off positions - now with a reduced squad and a weak bench we are falling away -with anything less than a full squad did anyone really expect anything else. Blame the manager if you like for some of his buys, yes some are questionable, (DP is not by himself in that)but they where available at the price we has a club could pay -given more money I have little doubt he would have bought in others. Here's an alternative why don't we go out and bring in seven players on loan and totally shatter any semblance of team/squad confidence -who knows with a little luck we might even rope in an over weight, over hyped would be TV pundit to score the missing goals. For me its simple - give him time -without pressure of so called supporters calling for his head - that means to at least the end of the season - and no I don't believe he will see us relegated!!!

Let me assure you I do understand contracts - I know they can be broken by either side - I also know that to free up assets its sometimes worth terminating the contract and very rarely at the full cost -but to do that you have to be prepared to make some hard decisions - on ability and potential - depending at what stage the players at. I said I understand short term contracts to cover for injury but I see no reason to give short term contracts to players who it appears do not figure ie byfield

I am getting worried that DP is turning into Shez mark2 - I understand the need to balance the books, all about maintaining the balance and even maximising resources or at least I think I do -but I am getting more and more puzzled with regard to players in and out of BP and where the strategy is heading Players out -O'Grady if he's not good enough get rid -whats the use in sending him out on loan AGAIN -will he come back a better player -certainly did not happen last time - if he doesn't figure in DP's plans let him go - Allesandra -same goes -even if he scores two goals a game at Chester does that mean he comes back straight into the team for Div 1 - I think not -so why not make the parting perm. In both cases DP prefers a young inexperienced 19 yr old in the team to either of them -enough said Stephens -is he going to make it -I don't know - got to say I have not seen enough of him -maybe and just maybe a spell on loan might work -but not in the stiffs or sat on the bench at Dale - he can do that at BP - so why did he go - Lee - surely he has had enough time at BP for the manager to know if he is in his plans or not -for me give him a chance with the first team or release him -certainly not this uncertainty about letting him go on loan or not - Players in -:censored: and Blackman - both seem to fit the bill -but does one month loan help the team -if to give short term cover fine - but when they are straight in first team choices what happens to the long term expectation -get on to uncle Sam in Blackburn and tie them up for the season Then of course there is short term contracts - not sure what that means, except to give cover to the squad for injuries ie Gilbert - (that does of course raise the question of Lomax, if he cannot step in as cover why is he still with us) - but whats the sense in having Byfield on the books when Blackman is obviously preferred - I rate DP as a manager I just hope he is not bowing to the pressure , from the board and the fans, for instant results over the need to build a team. Or perhaps I really don't understand!!!!

I,m not sure I heard myself correctly the first time - I never belief what I read on forums!

I,ve said before on this forum on purely football basis the answer must be yes - Hughes scores goals at this level - there is no risk on that point -bringing in a new signing, even a player with a proven goal scoring record elsewhere does not bring with it the assurance of goals for us

I,ve said before on this forum on purely football basis the answer must be yes - Hughes scores goals at this level - there is no risk on that point -bringing in a new signing, even a player with a proven goal scoring record elsewhere does not bring with it the assurance of goals for us Operator error I'm afraid!!!!!! To finish the question is about his attitude and thats a call for the manager abd from what we have seen so far I,ll go along with DP

I,ve said before on this forum on purely football basis the answer must be yes - Hughes scores goals at this level - there is no risk on that point -bringing in a new signing, even a player with a proven goal scoring record elsewhere does not bring with it the assurance of goals for us

Did'nt hear many of our loan signings saying anything about the club or their future with the club. I'll give time to any new signing who at least appears honest and ready to play for my team. Sorry to impose on your pessimism -I don't confuse genuine optimism for "over hype" - try a half full glass it tastes much better

"The players have to be right for the club" well said DP Not only am I pleased with the signings he has made but I'm also well pleased with the team building -bringing in players who want to play for Oldham - I got sick last season of loan players saying, on arrival, pleased to be here, I need first team football - sweet bugger all about wanting to play in blue and white. what a difference to hear new signings say they came because they liked what they saw at the club and the way the manager is going about things- and they want to be part of the future Keep going DP - I have a sneaky feeling we are going to be hard to beat this coming season

I said I was a Pav fan, from what I saw at his time with Huddersfield -his record there was great 44 goals I think - but he did not do it at Swansea -I also accept he has missed games at darlington - he still has to prove he can reproduce at this level. he has not been prolific since Huddersfield With what we have at the moment there is no doubt he is a starter up front - the point I tried to make is that we cannot rely on PA to provide all the goals we need - he needs a partner and if Hughes is up for it then we should not turn away a proven goal scorer at this level.