Frankly Mr Shankly

He never shies away from a tackle, despite his size which is an attribute which I like and think we can work with. It's going to be about developing his physical presence but I think we've a decent asset on our hands.

Less football, more Britpop era could-have-been band chat for me.

Yes, really rate him but I suspect he'd be too similar to Conlon. The glaring hole in midfield is an enforcer type (hence why MM has needed to use McGahey in a defensive midfield position out of necessity. First and foremost we need to stop being bullied and dictated to in midfield. Until this is remedied effectively, we'll continue to suffer from being overrun in large periods of matches. We basically need a player that had the effect that Sean Gregan did when he arrived in 2006. It turned us into a real force in the division and complemented the creativity of Wellens brilliantly.

Promotion this season looks a big ask with four wins required at least, plus three more matches to get through. Attention will start turning towards next season's squad. Which players have caught your eye around the National League who would be genuinely realistic targets. For me, midfield needs a massive amount of attention, along with right back and possibly an upgrade in attack. I'll throw in... Andrew Dallas (Barnsley) He'll still be out of favour at Barnsley so we could negotiate a release. I think with the right service there's a goalscorer there. The Chesterfield match gave us a sneak preview of what he can do. An extended run will brush the rustiness off. Tylor Golden (Halifax) He's exactly who we need at right back / right wing back and the choice to not swoop for him last summer has cost us massively in terms of balance. Plays hard (forearm smash against Fondop at home proves that, albeit reckless on that occasion) and powers up and down the pitch. A hardened National League full back now. Out of contract at end of the season. Joe Quigley (Chesterfield) Out of contract in the summer and is a possible upgrade for Fondop. Utter pain in the arse to play against, will get the best out of Norwood. It'll be sad to see crowd favourite and "God's number 9" but we need better to lead the line and hold the ball. Abo Eida (Grimsby) Absolutely rapid left winger and former Bradford and Scunthorpe man, who's mainly played League Two all his career. Perfect for Kitching to overlap with and would create havoc as we stretch teams on the flanks. At 28, approaching his peak and out of contract this summer. Tyrese Sinclair (Rochdale) Rumours are we were interested in him during the winter. Very flexible, can play left, centre and right. A strong replacement and massive upgrade for Hallam Hope who's bound to be shifted out. He would probably relegate Green to the bench but having those two to choose from will give us the strength in depth at promotion-hunting team needs. Antoni Sarcevic (Stockport) The Sheron upgrade we've all been waiting for. Very experienced, won promotion with Fleetwood, Bolton and Stockport. Plymouth fans named him "The Manchester Messi" and he'd be a beast in midfield at our level. Mossley lad, so a sort of homecoming of sorts. Out of contract in the summer and the physical midfield 'boss' we desperately require.

Hudson will start next season as MM's first choice. Bookmark that, @Lee Sinnott.

On it like a mofo bonnet. Classing it in isolation as a 'must win' is still, for me, harsh. We just 'must win' four from the final seven matches which ought to be enough. You'd need all of Gateshead, Halifax and Alty to all win at least four matches to push us out. Two of them may well do but it's just as much of a push as it is to see us to it. It's entirely in the balance and I'm fairly happy with our run of matches. However, by not winning on Saturday, means more pressure is stacked on our final matches. Let's just say it's a very timely one for us to win.

Still, good win for "Team Synergy" though. Where did Sir Alan send you for your reward treat?

It's not as bad as I recall first time around. I vaguely remember them supporting Black Grape and I even vaguely (given what I'd consumed) remember them playing at that free outdoor concert in Werneth Park that Dodgy headlined. I think I liked the time, drugs and free love in 1998 than the Audioweb cover.

I think that was a Friday night match. I don't know how I know this but I think that it was @oafcprozac first Oldham match.

How is home match attendances comparable to a major final at a flagship stadium that most supporters will never have been to, on a bank holiday weekend? The only thing stopping us taking 20k is a train strike that weekend.

That's impressive. Can you do the same for that new Masters of the Air series so I don't have to pay for Apple+ (on top of everything else!).

If Notts and Chesterfield shared 36,000 last season meaning 18k each, surely we'd match or eclipse that given our standing as the best pound for pound supporters in the league™? Bank holiday weekend too and the first genuine sniff of glory in over 40 years. Oldham will be empty, man.

Has to be arranged sooner rather than later given a day of rain ensures a match is off there. They can't be leaving it to the final midweek and then risking the season overrunning into the week following the final scheudled fixtures. Then again, it is the NL so of course that's what they'll do.

Tell you what. The Norwood hates us lads would have a Def-Con 4 level meltdown about Graeme Sharp when he was here as a player. Fuck me, he was one insufferable, miserable bastard off the pitch. Great pro like, but an stone-cold wanker.

Not that I like to play devil's advocate. But what would he have done had the match had a lengthy delay on to it? Unlikely but very possible. ** Awaits the "MM would have subbed him on the hour" responses. **

It shows. Don't do it again.

I agree. There's no way the side that played on Saturday will get anything other than thumped 0-3. Play a side for the conditions.

On reflection, it was a really good, blood & thunder match. It reminded me of some of those L1 matches with Huddersfield, Wigan and Burnley.

FIFY @Lee Sinnott should be deducted four points for using "overload" when discussing Chesterfield's first goal. Who does he think he is? Luke Garrard?

True that. It's arguably our most challenging run of form in MM's tenure. However seeds of optimism from the Chesterfield performance which might give confidence to playing more on the front foot.

All nicely crammed in at the back of the Chaddy end, with road barriers fixed to the front for a particularly classy touch. Played a blinder our executives.

OK results for us with Gateshead and Aldershot losing meaning we keep pace with those. which is important. Looking at the run-ins, I like ours. Most teams we play should be safe from relegation and not realistically in hunt for a play-off places which is the type of teams you'd prefer to play. Gateshead have a more difficult run of matches on paper. Four wins should be the target which gives you in excess of 71 points and should be enough for a place this season. Throw a draw or two in as well and it comfortably books us in 6th or 7th. The Alty and Halifax matches will be crucial for us.

He played well, but he just doesn't have enough quality for a team aspiring to be L2 and L1 in very short succession. I think he'll be part of the plans next season, but I feel more as backup rather than a first pick on the teamsheet. His work rate is a valuable attribute. But we need a cut above him to be able to dominate midfield on a consistant basis. I knew we'd had him before. Dreadful ref. Literally ignored GBH on Dallas time and time again (I counted around 6 blatant fouls that were not given). Fussy to the extreme about insignificent infractions and how he gave their penalty despite having the best view in the house and going with his lino who was 30 yards away was baffling. The booking for MM at the end completely summed him up, missing the huge push on the back of Garner and then manufacturing an outrageous performance in booking MM. Really can't wait to get promoted if only to get away from the catastrophically bad level of referring in the National League. It was much, much better from Lundstram. I think we saw what Alty fans used to see on a regular basis. I still feel he didn't win as many 50/50 balls as he should have, but MM's interview alluded to the adjusting he's making. A week or two ago I felt we may be better trying to get him out on loan next season but he could have a big part to play if he can regularly play like this and more importantly, driving forward more. Absolutely. The amount of 2+2=5 mathmatics Latics fans are going through assessing him and his place in our side. He's a player clearly playing two tiers below his standard, but more signing players of his quality should bring the best out of players who's at National League level. He gave Grimes a torrid time yesterday. I couldn't give a fuck if he didn't want to receive his MoM performance in all honesty. I must admit, I don't warm to him as a personality, but I absolutely know he's the first pick out of MM's 'club of four' whenever fit. If he's not here next season, I'm sure we'll get a fee for him which can be put on someone of a similar stature who's ten times more charming than Arnold on Green Acres, to paraphrase Jules from Pulp Fiction.

Let's have it right. Pack horses could thunder round on it all day and it'll still be fit for a rugby match. Not sure what your point is on this, they're incomparable games.