Frankly Mr Shankly

35 minutes ago, deyres42 said:

It was hardly a mess, we were in the top half three games later...

"hardly a mess". 

3 minutes ago, yarddog73 said:

 

So basically we are playing 6 at the back at home because Mcghahey is needed to plug the gaps and break up play that 5 defenders can't cope with, we were playing at times last night with four centrehalfs, two full backs and Conlon and Sheron on the centre backs toes, as a result the only ball out was a 60 yard cross field punt that we had to hope stuck to Norwood and Garner (which invariably it didn't). 

 

Now I know some will argue we haven't the players but I'm getting the feeling this is what Mellon is asking them to do, where was the outball last night, where were the legs and the willing runners, three of our most effective players in recent weeks were left out and replaced with players who couldn't match their performances, I know Green was injured but where was the attacking intent out wide, Walker not even in the matchday squad despite being fit to play, Atherton can't get a sniff even from the bench because Micky doesn't trust you unless your 35. Hammond whose ran at teams in recent weeks dropped and Dallas looks like a raffle winner who needs game time but you couldn't trust him to give you anything.

 

It was dire again yet most of our fans are celebrating the fact we've took a good point off fucking Bromley at home, really. A point a game at home under Mellon is embarrassing, that's not progress as evidenced by the piss poor crowd again last night.

 

Finally if McGahey is the answer we're fucked, Mellons had ample opportunity to bring in the players we need but we still look absolutely devoid of ideas and attacking intent, we were told by all those ITK that we'd play better against the better teams in the division at home, well I think that myths been debunked, it's awful, mind numbingly shite to watch us at home yet Mellon continues to stick to his guns churning out the same shite week after week and is that stubborn he'll stick to his guns, if the away form slips at any stage we'll probably slip out of the playoffs which is criminal really given the money being blown on this squad.

 

To come in mid-season, perform open heart surgery on a bloated squad that just isn't fit for the physicality of non-league football and get us into a play-off berth is not 'ample time' to present a Chesterfield-esque dominating machine to our long-suffering home supporters.

MM has tried setting us up in a more attacking way which failed miserably in the first half vs Boreham Wood. He has been open and honest to deduce that the players he has inherited simply don't have the quality or consistency to be able to execute an attacking, free-flowing gameplan.

As has said before, McGahey is simply an adequate stopgap to ensure our back line isn't exposed. I feel we've the best centre halves in the division, but they're no good if an opposition payer is allowed to waltz straight through to the edge of our penalty area unchallenged. The results of which, whilst ugly, are yielding enough results to keep us in a play-off place.

I'm hopeful the team we can put on the pitch next season, further cleansed by MM and GB's judgement will result in a more attractive proposition. I'm happy to put up with it in the meantime as a means to get us competing in the play-offs.

6 minutes ago, deyres42 said:

It is no good harking back to the summer, the manager has had plenty of time to address the deficient areas. His record so far in that department is decidedly mixed.

So no summer window is 'plenty of time', ay?

Just now, BradKnowles1 said:

Mcgahey was a complete liability. He was chasing shadows all game. Caught on the ball many times. He hindered us last night 

He got caught on the ball a couple of times. But he stopped them marauding through the centre, which happened time and time again when he wasn't there.

Like I said, he's a sticking plaster over a festering wound, left untreated from last season. Who else would you have in the middle that breaks up play?

37 minutes ago, BradKnowles1 said:

Really big game this. Is it a must win or a must not lose? 

Always a 'must not let the opposition get three points'. Have to set uo for a win though.

Funny how almost all posting within an hour of the match ending come out with total drivel.

McGahey, as crude as he is, only gets that spot because without him our back line is constantly exposed to waves of attacks. He plugs the hole and prevents Sheron from naturally dropping deep (Where he's at his worst). If you can't see what McGahey brings to the team in that respect then you're a moran IMO. It's not pretty, but we're a far more resolute team who will compete and battle against the physical teams of the division. When your key midfield signings of last summer don't even make the bench (with one out on loan), it illustrates what a terrible job was done in that area. 

Shit, scrappy match, which is what the opposition dictated, and to come away with a point is some kind of progress. Can easily see us losing those type of matches previously. The play offs is six teams from eight now with Alty winning. Next two matches are crucial with four points minimum the aim.

We just don't have any, or at least any we can unify ourselves by hating. 

It's probably a good thing in that losing to hated rivals hits harder. We don't have any defeats laced with that extra bitterness. It's bad enough being an Oldham fan without being punched down on by bitter rivals as well.

Closest I felt to a genuine rivalry emerging was those years of playing Wigan between 1997 and 2003. Some of those matches were seething and the tear ups around them were legendary. I think you need to be in the same division with someone geographical close to build one. Even though we were in L1 for two decades, teams like Bolton, Wigan, Blackburn and Preston just dipped in and out. Tranmere was never likely to be a proper rivalry, they're too far away. Wrexham felt a bit more tetchy. I used to hate Citeh back in the 80's and 90's but that faded when we stopped playing them. Burnley have always grated with me because I spent some of my formative years there. 

As for Dale, we'd need another twenty years of playing regularly in the same division. Takes a generation to go by for it to 'stick'.

Yep, and it's made of cheese.

I didn't realise just how divisive Hammond is? I think he's a bit lightweight, but proves time and again how he can handle the physical aspect of this league. He'll get better, not worse. Found himself in some brilliant positions in front of goal but lack of composure saw them come to nothing.

I like matches like today. We're so often reminded of the level we're at, be it playing a team that's not even a town, with about twenty fans on a Saturday. It had that league match feel about it, with an opposition who came to play. Either team could've taken that. No-team played well enough for long periods. A neutral would've loved that.

Hogan was my pick. Pure leader who put his body on the line in a position he's nowhere near natural in. He made us difficult to break down on that side but we sacrificed the attacking intent by doing so. Confused by Conlon. Didn't look like unpicking the defence with a pass, just tried to keep us hanging on to possession. Kitchen gets much more attention on him, he's identified as such a threat now. It results on him far too often cutting inside or hanging back. He needs to find a way to get back to the marauding runs he built his rep on.

A decent draw. But only one if we continue to pick up wins.

13 hours ago, Lee Sinnott said:

It's a very loose link to the National League, but the Wealdstone manager went to Notts County a month or so ago and it's turned into an absolute disaster for him...

It's not done Wealdstone any favours either. They're teetering a point above the drop zone.

Luke Williamson at Notts County had several offers before leaving for Swansea so Notts had a good run out of him.

Maybe he can job share with a home specialist?

32 minutes ago, latics22 said:

What happened ?

2 minutes ago, Frankly Mr Shankly said:

How Raglan didn;t get booked or sent off for scything down their forward with minutes left on the clock I'll never know.

Pity the fool that writes us off. What a fucking division.

Garner's two goals were a masterclass in poaching. The second was proper chefs kiss.

Was kind of watching on and off trying to do another thing but it felt a much livelier and stronger performance.

How Raglan didn;t get booked or sent off for scything down their forward with minutes left on the clock I'll never know.

2 hours ago, GKing521 said:

IF we fail to make the play offs then he should be removed from his post. I'm not expecting us to progress far in them, though (if we make them).

It may have been prudent to insert a clause which allowed us to get rid if he didn't reach certain targets, one of which was this season's play-offs.

That said, not giving any manager at least one summer window to improve our squad is unrealistic IMO. Yes, we've seen some improvements to what was put on by DU last season. Consistancy for one, away form for another. For me, midfield in particular is still an area that needs urgent attention. Hammond looks promising and should get better. Lundstram gets progressively worse every match he plays, Conlon has had one good match for us in six and Sheron is a bench player at best. Mellon HAS to have at least the summer to bring in acual quality to this club.

On 2/25/2024 at 7:20 PM, Astro said:

It is going to take time, people need to stop comparing fifth division football and what is possible to elite level football, and a sense of perspective needs to be added. Is it frustrating watching us at times? Absolutely. But I'm clear in my mind as to what I expect from Mellon. It's one of those pragmatic relationships. I backed a three-year deal, he gets stability and we get a fella in charge who has a solid record, including promotions, at this level. The added extras in terms of style and approach can come when we're back in the FL and that will probably come after Mellon. 

It's going to feel so refreshing when we bring in a manager who inherits a stable squad rather one that needs rebuilding from the ground up.

Mellon IN. Close this thread until at least the end of next season.

I just think as soon as he's fit again, he'll be back in the side. MM clearly likes him, it doesn't really matter what we think of him.

 

On 2/20/2024 at 4:52 PM, Lukers1 said:

Sami Hypia played a behind the doors friendly at Stalybridge.

 

I recall it was  Alan Hardy said we didn’t need him..

WTF was Alan giving professional advise on players for? He sold advertising space. No wonder we went down FFS.

On 2/20/2024 at 2:57 PM, LaticsEddie said:

More recently Regan Booty is having another great season and we were linked in the summer

For some reason I actually think we'll sign him in the future. Nothing whatsoever to base that on other than he came down to watch Delph play cricket last summer (albeit because his mates play for the opposition).

7 hours ago, GlossopLatic said:

If we win promotion I am celebrating like mad why the hell anyone wouldn't I don't know.

All that told me was Bristol Rovers fans are compete dickheads.

6 minutes ago, oafc1955 said:

Yes

7 minutes ago, League one forever said:

Eh? Anyone playing a long diagonal into space in front of a player- needs the other player to actually move. 

I think he meant spelling Garner as Gardner. 

54 minutes ago, mcfluff1985 said:

Hoof. Sheron can't pass. He can only run

To be fair, you don't see many hoofs played with the outside of the foot and with the right amount of drift to just take it away from the first defender. I'm happy to give Sheron the benefit of doubt on this Beckenbauer-esque piece of outrageous skill on this occasion, or call it a shank instead. 

10 minutes ago, LightDN123 said:

He’s a dick, so don’t get me wrong.

 

But I think you are being a bit harsh considering he’s won POTS in this league twice. 
 

Doesn’t make up for being a twat mind. 

Yeah perhaps. He clearly had the Billy big bollocks attitude about him and was sussed out and then canned, even by DU. The Turkey-teethed twat.

18 hours ago, BP1960 said:

John Rooney hat trick for Macclesfield.

Let's put it into perspective here. Macc are two levels below us. The level we're at now is dreadful enough. You're essentially a similar grade to park football there. 

Absolutely show pony him and  we should have been embarrassed to try and build a team around him last season.

50 minutes ago, longtimeblue said:

Booked those cheap train tickets when they went on sale, but I'm not going now. 14:30 going from Victoria (assume it'll stop at Stalybridge and Greenfield). 10:49 back the following morning. Can email the tickets over if they're of use to anyone.

 

I also have one spare although the return is about 7:10am. Let me know and I'll do same.