shefflatic

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/paul-scholes-oldham-was-the-right-job-at-the-wrong-time-for-me-10089674.html puts it to bed for definate then. I know he would be a draw for players at our level to join us because it's Paul Scholes, but i honestly don't think he would cut it. I'm not sure he has the personality to be a manager and the fact he has, albeit one of the most successful, only been at the one club, limits his experiences somewhat. I also don't believe he is a true Oldham fan, i'm sure he's said somewhere in the past that his dad is the fan and he used to just go along and considers himself man united? Correct me if i'm wrong here. Would he have the staying power and motivation to work on tight resources and to put the effort in to make it work? Part of me thinks he'd manage three months and then he'd think 'forget this, i'm off', after all he wouldnt need the money/hassle of it all Maybe i'm being cynical and negative, but that's my take on it anyway Thoughts?

needs to believe in himself and have someone believe in him. Get him properly fit and he can be a success ala Winchester. Hoping it's because Dowie is coming in and wants all the players back to assess them. It's set up for him to be appointed before the Barnsley game isn't it? Imagine the decent crowd and atmosphere if that were to happen?! (I can't make the game either way! Gutted!)

For me, it mainly comes down to truly, truly how much Dowie wants to get back into management. Possibly, last time he may have held out for better offers given our predicament at the time, and that's fair enough, added to his media committments. However, time has gone on and with the greatest respect to him, he isn't going to get a championship club role whilst he has been away from management for a fair while. The only way is to come back in at a lower-than-he-would-like level, just like Phil Brown has done at Southend and get himself in the shop window again. It doesn't take a genius to realise the bugetary restrictions at a club like Oldham, it is self evident and i'm sure he will be aware of this. It has been well documented that he and SC speak on occasions, so it's not going to be anything he doesn't likely already know. He is a winner, a motivator, intelligent and passionate. Players like Kelly, Jones, Winchester, Forte, Poleon would thrive under his style i think and he'd certainly give them some confidence/belief in their abilities. What we do have going for us though - a pretty decent current squad, fans who would get behind him from the off. We also have the new stand and longer term aims once this kicks in re revenue streams and at least attempting to progress as a club. He isn't one to walk away at the first sign of trouble - he stayed with us after the administration fiasco, built a team on nothing and left to join Palace when it was an offer he no doubt had to take with a family to look after, so he certainly is one to care and do the right thing. The fact they are to speak this weekend at least confirms it's possible. If it doesn't happen then for whatever reason, in my opinion, he doesn't truly want to return to management, be it whatever deciding factor(s) that may be and that is his choice. In an ideal world, wages and such like don't matter - we would do it for free for the love of the club and no one can deny that as a working man, salary does come into it for him, as it would any of us in any industry/job. However, if he truly wants to re-enter the game of management, believes in our attempts to develop the club re the new stand and longer term aims/attempts to attract finance by the board, then in my opinion, he should take it.

Just seen some nice words from Rick Holden's facebook page, thought I would share Richard William Holden 5 hrs · To all my latics friends. This has gone mad. Even the press are ringing me!! I have thought long and hard about applying for the Latics job and cannot commit now as I have too many projects rolling. (The arrogance- wouldn't get an interview anyway). I can't just drop things on the Rock it would be unfair and impractical. Your response however, as fans has stunned me beyond belief and I began to get eidetic emotions. I didn't realize the passion we olde boys created and equally I didn't evaluate my feelings for the club which were hidden in me deeply to such a point that they are difficult to express with words. I will apply for the job one day In a less hasty situation as I know now that I do want to do the job some time in the near future. Once again your support has been overwhelming and thank you. Rick

Dowie or Keith Hill

if he goes then so be it - he has done a very good job for us overall, but if he doesn't want to see his own hard work through until at least the end of the season and wants to go now, then let him. I know it's a bit of a broken record, but i'd love to see Dowie in until May, i think he would do wonders with these players. He is known to be a good coach and i think he'd relish the chance to try and push us into the top 6. Would put him in the shop window if he truly does still want to manage He'd give the place a lift with his spirit and will to win if nothing else. What will be will be, anyway

personally i'd play the following assuming all are fit: Kean Wilson (think Brown offers more in terms of pace, both suspect when defending, but he seems to play his best in the bigger games) Elokobi Wilson Mills Winchester Kelly Jones/Mellis Forte Wilkinson Murphy Subs: Coleman, Kusunga, Mellis/Jones, Philiskirk, Poleon, Morgan-Smith, Dieng Feel we need some support alongside the main striker - don't think either Wilkinson or Murphy up top on their own works as an attacking threat, or anyone as a lone man for that matter. Both will get at their defence and cause problems, let's give them something to think about. Give Murphy an hour and then change things if he is tiring, not as if we haven't got the options to do so. Dieng is a defender for me, when I have seen him play in midfield this season he has been awful; positionally he doesn't know where to be and what to do and often is too slow on the ball - we don't need two players doing the Kelly role, takes away from the forward players. No doubt there's many possible combinations/formations and all of us including LJ will have opinions. Not expecting a win - hopeful that we can and that we do, but i'd take a point now. As long as we have a go and try our best we can remain positive. They are a good side, so in many respects we've nowt to lose. Season isn't over on tuesday, but a win would be fantastic. Here's hoping

turner to go out on loan is my guess to get some much needed games til summer when we will review his situation Anyway, yet again our manager is backed by his chairman and no players sold. THAT is some welcome ambition and a statement to all that the club wants to try and be successful. Well done to all

with the right service anything is possible we see many a striker do nowt at a few clubs and then it just clicks and suddenly they are a good striker - even Forte is a good example - 5-6 goals a season everywhere else then rocks up here and it happens for him. Murphy according to stats is 6ft, decent age, scored a few goals this season O'Grady made a similar move to us, did nothing, then look what happened Let's support him anyway - one thing for sure we've now got a really great set of options up top Well done to all

By doing, as David Pleat has just said, buying/expending funds now knowing you have assets in your team you can sell i.e. £100k now, we sell Wilson in June for double which covers the outlay. As things stand if this goes through we have YET AGAIN been backed by Corney - if we have to sell in June to recover the cost (unless promoted!) then that's fair business logic, no complaints from me We can't have our cake and eat it on crowds of 3k, it's just nice to finally have a window in Jan when we are doing ok and can go again with the same group + 2

brett williams one of BP1960's recommendations I believe previously? If it's the one who had a youtube clip up on here at the time, he is 6ft, similar to Porter/Wilkinson and with decent pace? Assuming we're paying a fee eg £100k I would think that means we may be prospectively selling someone in the summer to cover any outlay, can't have any complaints if that's the case

50/50 says Mike Keegan

good signing, either him or Jabo for me and he is more mobile and better running with the ball; more aggressive around the box PLEASE let there be no one leaving - i could stomach Wilson as we have cover and could get a loan in, anyone else and we're back to square one in my opinion Hold firm!!

http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/sheffield-wednesday-leeds-united-rotherham-8558298 Joe Lolley a possibility Anyone know anything about him?

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/game-on-2237978.aspx

Seriously? i'll pont you to the 10 clean sheets, many saves and general control and calm he instantly brought to the defence last season after Oxley left. Granted he could have done better possible on a few goals this season, but on the whole he is a solid keeper for our level. He hasn't made any glaring errors ala Brill and i can't really see the fuss to get him out of the team. All keepers make errors and more often they lead to goals. Last season i'd rate him at 9/10, this year 7.5/10 Not amazing but by no means a liability - Our numerous poor decision-making errors, hesitancy to shoot when in sight of goal and a lack of a proper finisher are our downfalls this year, not the keeper. Sort these areas out and Rachubka doesn't even become a discussion.

loving the all-blue kit - for me that's what we should wear, none of this white shorts rubbish. All blue kit like they wore today for next season please!

Seager zagga Seager zagga..... Athletic

last time I looked football was about having a winning mindset and going to win every game Cautious mentality and indecisiveness is what causes us to draw and lose games, scared to go for it A Win please, playoffs here we come

Rachubka Kusunga - B Wilson is slow and is an easy target, don't need any 'tactics' against us, just get down our right side...... Dieng J Wilson Mills Dayton Jones Tidser Johnson Philiskirk Forte Back to basics, Dieng back where he is at his best as was the back 5 against Sheff Utd - should NEVER have been broken up in the first place; they all did well, yet they still got dropped?!?! Unless Dayton has given LJ a flat tyre on his car, why he hasn't even featured as a sub in the past 2 months is staggering He deserves a start, albeit not match fit probably wont do him any favours, but has not done anything wrong in my opinion since he's been here. OK, not the most strong of players, but scored a belter at Swindon and always tries his best and does have some decent ability; no worse than anyone at this stage let's be fair. Johnson and a midfield 3 has disrupted us and left us too narrow and tippy tappy with no effect. Johnson terrorized us at Cfield playing left wing, let's put him there to get round the back and where he'll have more space. Tidser can do Kelly's role, as he should have done against Yeovil and as Poleon/Johnson should have done in the same game, none of this 'i had no choice but to change formation'?????........You did have a choice and it was simply to replace the 2 injuries with players in the squad LJ, not playing your dad at tactics........... When Kelly is back, him in for Tidser and let Jones free roam as he likes to do from the centre, Jabo brought on to hold it up when we're 2 up and see it out It's not THAT difficult Lee.....

Brian Wilson is slow and won't have a hope against Powell or Alli, 10-men down already Rachubka (did nowt wrong to begin with!) Kusunga (not the best game on Sat but formation didn't help and one game doesn't make him poor, better at RB as well) Wilson Elokobi Mills Tidser Johnson Jones Forte Ibhere Philiskirk Should Dieng have to play then CB and not midfield, looks awful in there

Not been able to attend today, but the primary culprit for today has to be LJ Listened on LP and whilst we made awful errors, i don't blame the players. It all starts by LJ playing subbuteo again and trying to be the clever one and 'out fox' his dad No need for it Players like to play in systems they understand. OK Kelly and Forte are big misses, but we have a SQUAD and they should be able to step up. Tidser for Kelly and Poleon/Dayton for Forte, keep the team in the same shape, but simply personnel changes needed. Instead he goes and messes about with it and all the players are then uncertain, out of sync and once one makes an error, it compounds the rest of the team. Big wake up call for LJ I hope he has had the guts to apologise to the players in the dressing room and the fans - HE got it wrong today and the performance was a result of that.

Not been able to attend today, but the primary culprit for today has to be LJ Listened on LP and whilst we made awful errors, i don't blame the players. It all starts by LJ playing fecking subbuteo again and trying to be the clever one and 'out fox' his dad No need for it Players like to play in systems they understand. OK Kelly and Forte are big misses, but we have a SQUAD and they should be able to step up. Tidser for Kelly and Poleon/Dayton for Forte, keep the team in the same shape, but simply personnel changes needed. Instead he goes and messes about with it and all the players are then uncertain, out of sync and once one makes an error, it compounds the rest of the team. Big wake up call for LJ I hope he has had the guts to apologise to the players in the dressing room and the fans - HE got it wrong today and the performance was a result of that.

Genuinely nice to see no hard feelings on PD's part. He tried his best with us but couldn't do it in the end. I think Johnson is showing us what we had wanted/envisaged seeing under him, certainly his first season getting to 4th place by February with some good football along the way, shouldn't be forgotten; as much as the Liverpool game and the few decent players he managed to attract to us be it loan or permanent. Certainly deserves a round of applause and maybe a nice chant or two - his genuine delight in the Everton game showed he cared. comments below: Paul Dickov insists there will be no hard feelings on his part when he returns to Oldham as a manager for the first time tomorrow. The Scot left the Latics in February last year after guiding them to a famous FA Cup win over Liverpool. This weekend Dickov hopes to guide Doncaster into the third round of the same competition at the expense of his former club, who he says he will always be grateful to for handing him his first job in management. “I came to a decision that I’d probably taken the club as far as I could,” said Dickov, reflecting on his Oldham tenure. “I’d been there two and a half years and I’ll be forever grateful to them for giving me my first chance in management. “It was a tough job, but it was good job for me as well. “There were certain things going on that I wasn’t happy with and I decided it was the right time to get out, but I’ve got no hard feelings towards anyone at that club. “I still speak to the chairman there, Simon Corney, and I’m good friends with him. When I sat down with him and decided it was time to go, it was done on good terms.” Asked whether he was expecting a good reception from Oldham fans, Dickov said: “Who knows? I would like to think so. “I thought I did a reasonable job there considering the circumstances I was working under. I always had a good relationship with the fans there. They’re a good set of fans. “They’re a patient bunch. They stick by the team. There’s definitely no hard feelings from me towards them and I don’t think there will be the other way round either.”

looks a low-risk signing, worth a month's deal, see how he copes in this league?