rictic

Only if we're playing 5 a side.

Tarky was taken off because Dickov had seen enough, it came a minute after Tarky sold himself out right giving their lad a clear run at goal. As for Byrne and others slowing down moves that's because there was nothing to hit in front of them where we were static for most of the match. Very noticeable when we took throw ins as well.. Better to retain possession that give it away and there was no way Byrne was going to be taken off. The lad's decent at this level.

Byrne's done OK for me, covers well, a solid defender.

Regarding Simpson, he needs to start playing the ball instead of looking to foul the defender all the time i lost count of the number of stupid free kicks he gave away.

Man City at Maine Rd in the Prem. Redmond playing right back overlapped and got to a couple of yards from the dead ball line and knocked the ball BACK towards the penalty spot where Milligan (stood outside the box when Redmond centered) headed in. In fairness it was the plank of a linesman rather than the ref but still an unbelievably bad decision.

Given that most of our players fall short of world class I'd credit Roy with getting his tactics spot on. We can't out football the top teams so we have to find another way and if that's sitting back then so be it. It's a very fine line and if Rooney had knocked in that overhead kick then the tactics would have been fully justified, All if's and buts of course but one trait England teams have had for many years is that all important lack of mental strength when it comes to the crunch time of penalties.

Morais is a player who will always divide opinion, on the credit side he's a talented lad who could play at a higher level On the debit side his work rate all too often makes Frank Gallagher look a grafter, loses possession far too easily and rarely lasts beyond an hour. And before a game you'd be well advised to introduce him to the opposition full back as all to often he doesn't seem toi have a clue who he is.

What's the craic on the lease ?

You must be referring to the music at half time.

Oh dear, I really was hoping it wouldn't be him, I really am so sorry the hear of his death he was a cracking lad. A gang of us went on holiday to Torquay in 74, had a great time but I met my missus soon after and we went our seperate ways. Funny, but in all these years I can't remember seeing him at BP and assumed he'd given up going. And, as Alec mentioned the Asshton Arms, that's were we did our drinking all those years ago, happy memories. RIP Bucket.

Firstly, RIP Brian, a sad loss. Secondly, Pete, In the early 70's I used to knock around with a lad we called Bucket who was from Saddleworth. It's a long time ago and we lost touch and I'm wondering if it's the same lad. Was he a mate of Pete and Graham Holden also from Denshaw ?. He'd be aged 59 ish. Just curious. Cheers.

I think Reid's last home performance sealed his fate. Centre backs usually mark strikers and not visa versa but Reid made a good job of hiding from the game by marking his man. It's a rare occurence but Derrick Parker, our alleged striker from the 1980's was an expert at it.

Indeed, the sad fact is you have down for most refs to give a penalty. The shirt tug at Rochdale last week wasn't as bad as the Reid incident but their lad went down as if he'd been poleaxed and got the pen.

No you haven't, you've just made a cheap soundbite "The young are being mugged by the old and it can't continue" You haven't explained how a basic state pension of £102.15 is mugging the young. How exactly ? How low would you like it to go to ? As for preaching to the converted, you assume quite a lot there. So pardon me for assuming that people would like to see tax loopholes for the wealthy closed and companies such as Vodafone pay their tax liability of 6 billion pounds before taking money off OAP's. Yes, the welfare bill is too high, what do you expect when employers pay their staff minimun wage and the state picks up the bill via tax credits ? Osborne has just reduced the 50p tax rate under the bizarre assumption that the rich who avoided paying tax at 50p will now be quite willing to pay at 45p. The man's in cloud cuckoo land, or more likely he just wants to dole out more dosh to his rich chums. We do face very hard choices but hitting out at the most vulnerable in society isn't the answer.

And oafc0000, who still hasn't explained how he's being mugged by OAP's, who "enjoy" the second worst state pension in Europe.

"I have no idea where you get the idea of self pitty from" I got it from your own words "The young are being mugged by the old and it can't continue" which are plain rubbish. I'm some years off state pension age and I've worked damned hard all my life, average of 50 hours a week mostly start times of between 2.00 am - 6.00 am. The only benefit I've had is child allowance, never claimed dole ect. Most OAP's I guess are of the same ilk, please explain how they've mugged you ? "I am taking action to make sure my own arse is covered" Good for you, exactly what I've done. The only "crime" todays pensioners have commited is to take what was on offer to them which for some reason reaps your criticism. "The whining from todays elderly is what is unbearable." Oh the sweet irony, complaining of others whining whilst whining yourself. One day it will dawn on you that the people who have actually mugged you are the bankers and politicians. That day I fear is some way off. Perhaps when you've grown up.

Considering OAP's receive the second lowest state pension in Europe they aren't making a very good job of mugging anyone. Every generation of youth faces it's own challenges, my dad fought against Nazi's for the likes of you and me, I can assure you he didn't relish it. I don't underestimate the problems faced by the young today but only they can change their lives, you're not going to do it by making whining, self pitying posts on an internet forum. One problem we all face today is our politicians playing their "divide and rule" tactics. You've fallen for it hook line and sinker.

Personally I've no idea, fans say his coaching can't be good enough because we concede too many goals. I don't think it ever occurs to them that the players we can afford just aren't good enough.

Tbh we need to sort the midfield out first.

I don't think you missed anything. A small striker either needs pace or a fair amount of skill and I didn't detect either. That said, it's early days and who knows what he could do if we played with a midfield ?

I was only a young kid when Bobby played for Latics but here's an example of just how good he was. He took a penalty towards the Rochdale Rd. end. It was a muddy pitch and Bobby knocked it in off the post, the ball leaving a muddy splodge on the post. A Latics player must have encroached because the ref ordered the kick to be retaken. Bobby advanced to the edge of the six yard box, looked at the keeper and pointed to the muddy mark on the post. His meaning was obvious, in off the same post, same spot. Bobby took the kick and the ball went in off the same post, same spot. Not only that, the ball nestled on the very same part of the net. The genius of it was, everyone knew it would. The crowd went berserk, Bobby just strolled back down the pitch calm as you like. I feel priveliged to have witnessed it. We'll never see the like again.

Stainrod ?

Fair do's, I thought the ref had an excellent game and plaudits to the linesman (Main Stand), probably the best all season. Makes a pleasant change.

Kuqi is ploughing a lonely furrow up front with no one beside him. Simpson, as good as he is, is playing behind him and Kuqi is too often isolated. Not an easy role at the best of times but at his age ?

14 months on LSD must be a danger to your health surely ?