eyres_28

Obsessed with sticking it to this lad. Played really well with the superb Lyden first half. These two are a far better combo than anything else which involves the incompetent Missolou. Released Gardner further forward and we looked top class at times. Really don’t understand the mentality of trying to knock one of our players.

He was poor overall last night but it was his channel run and battling that stretched the play leading up to the corner for the goal. He would have been clear through (no guarantees on our ‘pitch’) had Gardner used his left peg. Surely all players are entitled to an off-day?! Most of our players have had off-careers. In reply to the original posters views - which of course he’s entitled to - I disagree with the sentiment that he has done nothing except scoring two goals. His direct style changed the entire game against Plymouth - some will say that was simply because we went 2-up top, however, all the XI were slow and predictable until his introduction and suddenly they were in the back foot and dropping deeper giving us more space to operate in. How often do any of our other strikers make the run off the shoulder he made against Bradford before the bobble? He doesn’t do what Davies does and I’m really glad as we already have one doing that job. Re-watch the Blackburn game if you think he did nothing barring score twice (which isn’t to be sniffed at!) as his harrying and pressing typified that first half performance. He’s an excellent addition to our striking options. Clearly offers more goal threat than AAH and IMO Davies. We have strength, height, pace and movement when all are fit. I’ll take these options and rightly so Nazon is top of the list while Doyle is still out.

Paying customers who have probably been supporting the club for 50+ years you mean? Complete knobheads them lot. Shove ‘em all at the front.

He scored a goal which is obviously worth an argument but barring that he's been very very average. Played as well as he can on Tuesday IMO and still rightfully taken off. Holloway offers so much more but must be more decisive around the box and do a bit less leaning as the refs are wising up very quickly in games.

Based on Tuesday, I think it'll be just the two changes. Shez was 'relatively' happy and despite being powderpuff up top, the passing in midfield was better. Banks again found himself getting stick but was far better than a lot of the blinkered fans saw (I am not a fan of the lad, especially defensively) and complemented Gardner and particularly Byrne, who will excite and supply Doyle. Fawns unlucky for me and Osei is far too limited to be with a league club (yes I know he's young but don't see what he brings). Wilson Wilson Clarke Gerrard Hunt (narrow) Byrne Byran Banks Gardner Doyle Holloway McLaughlin in wide right for Banks when he's back. Hoping and praying Doyle can utilise Holloway and actually give us a chance of reacting inside the box.

Has it been mentioned who the player or club that the fee (and personal details) has been agreed with? Which clubs have a large early season injury list?

Taylor played well for 65 minutes yesterday. The opinion that he needs to be dropped, which a small minority of fans have (and they're entitled to have) really does baffle me. He is always available, barring a misplaced pass towards the end never gives the ball away and still shows enough pace to get round his man. I'm not sure whether any neutral, who knew nothing about latics, would have put him near the bottom of the ratings in any of his 6 appearances thus far. Previous opinions, good or bad, are definitely in play here. Second half yesterday, the timing of his runs were excellent if only Tope and others had better awareness. We've been crying out to play better football in midfield all season, sign a homegrown lad who wants the ball and keeps it on the deck, moving it around and people moan - as I've said, I respect the views of others, however, I simply don't understand them.

Not a supporters bar? Or will it double up? (Upstairs bit)

That's where we disagree then. I don't think he has been quiet, just building up to full fitness, which like Gerrard must happen in the first team without a reserve side. He isn't letting anyone down and barring his goal, Taylor looked way ahead of McLaughlin. All about opinions but I really despise the fans that constantly bash our own; not saying you are one of them but there are many of them out there.

Taylor's movement, awareness and link play has been far greater than others that people are defending, including McLaughlin despite his goal. He isn't fully fit but that was his first 90 so far and he put in the best two balls of the match and only a back post divot stopped him re-opening his Latics' account. 5 years on and the local-lad haters are back happy again. Eardley, Tarky (for a good year or two), Coleman. This is a clear obsession with certain fans and I just don't get it. I would love an explanation. Without shining and being a MOM contender, Taylor has been effective and shown the signs that he has developed his game (despite losing that edge of pace).

Both his goals have been scored when he's been coming from a wide right position. We reverted to 4-1-4-1 yesterday with Taylor and McLaughlin supporting from wide and O'Neil bursting through the middle. I'm baffled that so many think he could do a job up front. I'm not saying he's a bad player (quite like him at times wide right) and playing him up top is hanging him out to dry. However, how anyone can come away from yesterday suggesting McLaughlin is a central striker is beyond me. His runs are poor and when with AAH he actually runs away from him rather than trying to link up for flick ons. Play him wide right every day of the week.

Suggests he may be planning on playing Taylor on the right. Not sure whether O'Neill will partner Green and Fane in the middle or one of them and two up top. Interesting options now. Definitely needed to strengthen the midfield and wide areas. Well done Shez!

Woeful Robinson again. Please be pro-active. Try and win games from the off, play players with ability (Dummigan and Winch). How is McLaughlin highest up the pitch. It is well and truly a shambles from top to bottom this club but we need this clueless chap out. He's resorted to talking absolute rubbish recently and the playing side needs a shake up - managers do that and then hopefully a left sided players, ball playing CM and striker. None of those things will happen so it's Tranmere and Forest Green next season.

Merry Christmas ? Can't find it anywhere online. Does anyone know what the starting line-up was for the title winning game?

His interview is once again pathetic. How does he expect us to believe a word he spouts after he suggests we played some decent stuff outside the final third. We cannot allow this chap to spend another penny of this clubs money (However little it is) if and when the embargo is lifted. What is he watching? It baffled me after Oxford and again today. He seems to spend 4-5 days working on elaborate free kick routines instead of teaching apparent 'professional' footballers to pass, move and attack as a cohesive unit. Every week we watch the most insipid 45 minutes of football from the off. How about trying to control the game a bit and actually play with some bloody pace. Banks took 5-6 touches every time he had it yesterday and if his final ball actually reached the intended target it was too late to be a worthwhile pass. The ineptitude of Ollie Banks on and off the ball (what a tackler!) sums up the current set up perfectly. We are worse than most conference sides in terms of ability and the desire is even lower. How can our most naturally gifted players (Dummigan and Winchester) not make it into this side, especially at home. Please do the right thing Robbo. Less than 30pts if he stays and Ripley leaves. #20thyear

Absolutely but that wasn't the comparison! Post Prem there is no one who stands out as being better and those mentioned are the only that stand equal/get close.

Couple of errors. Charlton and the squirmer against MK? I would say he is on a par with Kelly, better than Pogs and it's difficult to compare him to Grant as he's developed into a championship/prem GK, and that is impairing my judgement. I would say if he keeps up this form he could be at the top of that list. Complete keeper.

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I'd take anyone right now (except those three from last year!) Robbo's tactics are a recipe for delegation. That was one of the most inept, insipid displays I've seen in my 26 years following. Can't take a single positive from an outfield player / the style of play. Boro have one hell of a prospect in Connor and we'd been adrift at the foot without him this season. The lack of ability or willingness to entertain or even hold onto the ball for three passes or more is simply disgraceful. Banks & Green are passengers game in, game out and for all his flaws (and he isn't the saviour) Winny would improve this side comfortably but we've seen the last of the boy I feel. Robbo will praise the 'character' the lads showed and label it a fantastic point but I have never felt less affinity for a side wearing the blue shirt in all these years. Corney might been the root of all these problems but right now there is only one man sending average players out to defend from the outset against poor opposition week in week out. It's time I'm afraid that Robbo went. It fear we'd be cut adrift before Corney finds the funds/sees sense. Very worried.

No the question is - is Banks anywhere near good enough to warrant two players doing the work for him? He ain't Kilkenny. Winchester against Sheff Utd at BP last season was given that role and was MOM. One pass and you lose your place. Let's pack our team with limited players - Dummigan was crap but give him a rollicking and put him back in. He oozes class compared to the crap alongside him.

How does Banks stay off lists like these? If he's a deep lying midfielder, he needs to want the ball a hell of a lot more, attempt to control the pace of the game and intercept. He does none of the above. Green alongside him was equally poor last night. If Robbo is looking to name players who avoided the ball it's those two, Reckord and the dreadful Burgess. Erwin didn't want it until the last 20 either. Yet time and time again it's Winchester who is the easy scapegoat. His mistake was when he had the ball so he certainly wasn't avoiding it. Looked to do something whenever he got it and had the best effort prior to being removed. Was he good? No! however, there were far worse players in blue, beginning with the floppy haired soft-as Ollie Banks.

I don't disagree that it was poor. Woeful advertisement for league one football from both sides. However, it baffles me that you say we didn't look like scoring before the late scramble. McKay forced the keeper into a stunning save 1st half, Erwin's header was very well saved. A further 2-3 shots well saved from edge of the box and Flynn's chance was arguably the best of the lot. We definitely were a threat without playing at all well.

I don't want him to be a defensive midfielder but expect him to be able to tackle / intercept, which he is feeble at. As for this 'attacking midfielder - when was he actually in the final third? he played so deep it was infuriating first half. Yes he put a cross in for the goal but he needs to offer far more in general play and quicken up with everything he does. Not sure if he was playing to instructions but when Fane came on that should have released him further forward especially with all the crosses from the right. He'd have been well placed for a couple of snap shots had his position been 5/10 yards further up the field.

Banks is horrendous defensively. Awful tackler & positionally terrible. Countless times yesterday he was caught flat footed and they walked through at times until Fane came on to break up the play. He gave away numerous pathetic fouls in key areas and could have been even more important had they had a Zac Clough. I don't agree about him going forward either. If he's not defensive then he needs to be more influential in their final third. Yes he occasionally spreader the ball wide but he goes the wrong way time and time again. Why he wasn't being instructed or choosing to break to the edge of the box for all those McLaughlin deliveries I'll never know. If he learns that the game is quicker in league one then he might grow on me but not impressed yesterday.

Tbh we are fortunate Clarkey didn't go on to nut him later in the match. Amazing restraint.