outoftheblue

Eardley pretty much insisted JJ took it, which was nice to see. At 4-0 it would be criminal to deny someone the chance of a hat trick - even if his first was an OG and the penalty decision was unbelievably cruel on the Udders. HOWEVER: Missed an open goal and a penalty but still got MOM - not often you see that

What happens in training is rarely relative to what happens in the course of a match. All training seems to do in our case is extend our injury list. Blue Sue has a good point - As long as the fans ANDShez aren't on the players backs, we may just see a more confident and relaxed side (It worked yesterday!). Last season I mentioned JS was too harsh on some of the players and should allow them to show some of their own creativity instead of ranting about what he wants them to do - I honestly believe that affected some of the players then, and I still think it is the case this season. So far there is nothing to suggest otherwise.

It's difficult to understand Yorkshire humour!

Nope - Heard the same things myself. (Did wonder whether some of it was tongue-in-cheek though).

If anyone at the club should be shown the door it's Franny Ward. The man makes me cringe with embarassment. He can't manage a sentence without the word 'Actually' in it, and has his little clique of fawning pals that he always has to make reference to. I used to think Chris Britten was a bad PA man but Franny has got to go - he's the pits.

Shez needs to shut up and concentrate on working out how to replicate yesterday's performance. Forget injuries - yesterdays team showed they are more than capable (As they have in a few games recently), and that was better to watch than anything earlier in the season when our 'Injury crisis' was not an issue. Stop coming out with stupid statements Shez, and analyse the differences in formation, tactics, selection and touchline encouragement that were made yesterday. You may find an answer in that lot, rather than winding up the fans who you need to win back. Put it on the pitch and people will watch and applaud it - simple really.

Gotta say the players DID seem more relaxed with TW applauding good moves and very little yelling at them.

You've asked four questions there, but unfortunately omitted to point out who they are directed to.

Was that you in the KKK outfit carrying an ashtray? They're a very smart outfit our stewards - I can't see them making mistakes

It is clear Shez is losing support rapidly - no matter how many posts the inners put on the board, and no matter how loud they shout. The fact is there are a hell of a lot more people unhappy with Shez than there were at the start of the season. If Sheridan is to remain as manager and take us out of this division he has got to start learning from his mistakes. He DID tell the 'spectator' that he knew nothing about football, he DID swear at him, he DID gesture (Though it WAS a mouthing off gesture) and he HAS done it four or five times before. The 'spectator' was abusive and swearing, so should have been ejected, but Shez should never have reacted either, particularly as the club have already received complaints about his disrespect for those paying his wages. Opinion will always be divided on whether he was right to bring Jarrett off against Millwall, but there were a lot of people shouting for Wolfy to come on if only to change the formation to a better balanced and more pressing 4-4-2. I don't think Shez should take the credit for the decision, as he only did it because he was angry at JJ's involvement in Millwall's goal. Sheridan needs to stop saying things like "There are people think they know better than me but they don't", he needs to stop calling <non abusive> fans 'Muppets' and he needs to realise that his tactics and selections are not always right. Maybe then he will reclaim some support for himself and get the abusive faction off his back. I am starting to lose patience with him and his pig-headed arrogance, and unless things change he will lose another supporter.

Well you're much more easier to please than me, because I have been ashamed at the lack of effort and thought that has gone into many of this season's games - and that dip in crowds might just be something to do with other people thinking the same. Losing games is something all teams have to put up with, but so many poor performances in one season is unacceptable, and the players and manager need to respond quickly and positively to make sure next season is a more consistent one.

Not the owl waddling like an overfed duck again??

No, it was definitely in the car's glove box last time I looked - just in case the fuel pump stuck again

Don't think you either read or grasped my post. I said we were an experienced side ravaged by injury. Should we start next season injury-free, then we will have an experienced side backed up by some very promising youngsters. My point was that we are not a young side when everyone's fit, and nor should we be when dealing with injuries (We have had far more than our fair share). Though no-one could have predicted the amount of injuries we have suffered, I don't expect the squad to be changed that much next season, as we have a well balanced squad in terms of youth and experience. The kids have done fabulous this season under the circumstances, but the experienced players will always be first on the teamsheet if fit, so don't expect us to bring in too many players close season, as the squad we have when fully fit is a highly capable one if managed well.

Experience has taught me NEVER to expect a victory from the Latics, as you have pointed out we are too inconsistent. However, I do not expect a team in our shirts to go down like a shot dog and not put up a fight against a team that has become accustomed to regular defeats. Quite right, we DO need to keep hold of our promising youngsters, but we are not a young team, we are quite an experienced team that has been devastated by injury. If Shez were to put his preferred side out (Disregarding loan players) it would likely be Crossley (38) Eards (19) Stam (28) Gregan (33) Lomax (21) Liddell (34) Allott (30) McDonald (25) Taylor (21) Hughes (31) and Davies (22) - That's not particularly young, especially as most of the younger members have quite a few games under their belts. Injury has taken its toll on the side, and crocked older players have been replaced by young highly promising fringe players. Long may that continue, but you can only include so many fringe players before your side becomes desperately short of experience. I would always prefer to see an injured experienced player replaced by a like wise player, and youngsters gradually eased in to the side, and I'm sure Shez would do too, so I don't see there being too many additions to the squad next season once our injury woes have subsided. The big change for me next season would be to see like-for-like replacements for injured players a primary target, and areas of persistent cause for concern addressed (E.g Eardley's distribution, Davies's tunnel vision and our inability to create from set pieces). Learn from mistakes and you will improve - there is no doubting that, and maybe next year we can reach the heights we are capable of. Because if we don't, I'm afraid you'll have to get used to the opinions of quite a few more doom and gloomers - Those swords will be razor sharp. Prepare yourself...

Interesting you should mention local residents AMO. For a few weeks now, local residents have been deliberately blocking in cars parked on the dirt track that runs across the far ends of Colville Rd and Kenwood Rd. At kick off time they park their cars in formation so as to make life tough for people parking there, and leave them there until hours after the game. I have always risked parking there, and have always been able to get out one way or another, but last night they blocked both ends with a pick-up and a banger, and blocked the backings between the two streets with a transit. Fortunately my driving was better than their blocking and I managed to squeeze out and allow others to do the same. These people buy homes near football grounds and then see their arse when people park nearby on matchdays. I have even had people telling me I have no right to park in front of the houses on Kenwood Rd (For the record - my road tax allows me to do exactly that as long as I am not obstructing emergency vehicles or public clearways). I have no doubt that local residents have been deliberately targeting supporters cars for some time now, and I do have sympathy with their frustrations when they can't park outside their own houses sometimes, but now they are in danger of retaliation from the people who park on waste land (I'll be bringing a can of Nitromors paint stripper" was one of the comments from those who were blocked in last night), and that's when it will get silly. Let's hope the new stadium plans allow for adequate parking and easy access to the car parks.

Think it's an arrestable offence in public places isn't it?

RM; I can't believe that copper didn't notice me lift his radio! JS; Yeah, and one of my brothers will easily flog it for you!

I disagree that Terry initially disagreed, thereby causing people to disagree with his disagreeable post. I agree with his general disagreement though (I think?) Anyone disagree?

Maybe Terry is a victim of his own lack of tact. If his post had merely asked "Do you think Shez might get more out of his players by encouragement rather than roastings?" then I think this debate may have been conducted more constuctively and less abusively. However, as someone who sits just to the side of our dugout, I can confirm that a number of fans did suggest Shez gave Lewis a pat on the back (He normally doesn't acknowledge subbed players immediately), and there were indeed a number of fans disappointed with some of the things said to players during the game. If this is Sheridans style - so be it. It is up to him to prove it's a style that works. I am of the opinion that well timed encouragement works wonders, but that is all it is - an opinion. Let's not slag Terry off for having an opinion, even if it seems ill-timed after a great victory - it is more interesting reading than a 'Weren't we brilliant?' topic, and should have produced some healthy debate had it been understood better.

Tin hat time...... During the 80's, If Liverpool were playing (And Latics weren't) I would watch them. I was at Heysel and witnessed disgraceful scenes leading to 39 deaths (Not necessarily the fault of scousers) and never went to a Liverpool game after that. If no other Oldham team was formed from our ashes then I would pick and choose Liverpool games now things have become more sensible. Ouch! Stop the stone throwing already!!

Cheers Inspiral, When I think back to my dad taking me for the first time I agree it wasn't so much the football as the atmosphere and experience. I'd love it if my young 'un could run around at the back of the RRE like I did, but like you say, at least there's Chaddy's antics to keep her amused. I'll have to make the effort this season to keep family tradition up.

He's clearly upset you OS! That sounds like a plan you've been hatching for years!

I admire your faith. At the moment I'm also considering kicking the mrs out too, so I'm probably just going through a bad patch . I'm sure I'll be there next season, but the seeds of doubt have been sown with me, so I can fully appreciate other people not wanting to watch anymore - I'd just say we need to improve hugely to regain their support instead of suggesting they are not real fans for deserting. The wife has just seen what I'm typing, and reminded me that I can't afford to kick her out, so it looks like I'm gonna be stuck with a bad team and a pain in the arse for at least another season