Hometownclub

I can't understand that thinking a tall, we did nothing in the second half of last season to make me think we'll be coming straight back up. I don't think the manager knew his best starting 11, I don't think he knew how to set them up or organise them, I'm absolutely amazed he's still in the job to be honest. I agree, survival is very much the priority.

This will be my last post on this subject. I do not believe that teams play to the same intensity in every game, i.e. when they are safe after being relegation threatened, I believe they can ease off the throttle a bit (i.e. not play with the same intensity) or as the expression goes they are "on the beach" I then stated Latics as a perfect example of this in the last 2 seasons, giving you the dates, games and results to prove the point I was trying to make. You believe this to be "bollocks" and teams are never on the beach. Nothing in any of your replies has done anything to change my mind. You are entitled to your opinion and dare I say, I'm entitled to mine. We will have to agree to disagree.

Trolling, even nicer.

You just lost any argument you might have had when you resorted to personal abuse. Unlucky.

FFS I give up. I now agree with you that we were excellent in those last eight games and played really well in all of them, we should have won the lot.

Not where Latics are concerned in the last 2 seasons its not, I was at that Coventry game, we never broke sweat, and nobody cared.

2015/2016 season we were safe with 2 games to go, our last 2 matches were away at Millwall lost 3-0 and at home to Coventry which we also lost 2-0. If that's not on the beach I don't know what is. 2016/2017 we were safe after we beat Bolton at home 1-0, we then played 3 more games and failed to win any of them, Bristol Rovers away lost 1-0, Rochdale home drew 1-1 and Wimbledon away drew 0-0. Teams do ease up after they get safe.

It's not bollocks, it is noticeable that when teams become safe after being in relegation battles they take their foot off the gas (despite all the massive bonuses). Latics under Sheridan the previous 2 seasons did it, when we were safe with a couple of games to go, its human nature. Regardless of this , to not be able to win a single one of those last eight games when we weren't playing any of the top teams in the division is poor.

Anyone who watched us in our last eight games, when we only needed to win one of those games, and yet couldn't win any (despite playing several teams who were already on the beach), would rightly have us a shorter price for relegation next season than promotion. We were an absolute disgrace.

Both

D'oh, I forgot he was Irish.

Me too, I was only waiting on League 2, thank god we went down.

I thought he would have called for Carl Winchester's inclusion.

I'm not sure anyone has been unlucky really, Shelvey is a walking red card and not great either. I think Welbeck is the biggest surprise inclusion for me, he's almost permanently injured, probably a reflection on the alternatives TBH. Lallana is never fit, and you could guarantee if he was fit to start the first game he wouldn't be fit to start the second. Wilshere always likely to break down at any moment. I have no problem not taking perennial crocks. I think the squad looks desperately short of quality, especially in midfield, think we will do well to get out of the group, certainly no better than that.

Steve, as I mentioned in the predictions thread, anything I might have won can go to OWTB running costs (if you'll first just put my entry fee in for next year).

I thought I'd done pretty well, but only just squeezed into the top 10, some very good scores there.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised at this, given his contribution since January we should have let him leave. Unfortunately we could only know this in hindsight.

I think the current squad we have, with reasonably competent management, should be capable of staying up next season.

I think he's right with Forest Stevie, they won the old second division in about 79/80, and then when they came up won the old first division at the first attempt under Cloughie.

Thanks and also a big thank you to Bristol and Stevie for giving up their time to run and administer the competition. Really enjoyed it and can't wait to start predicting scores from our lofty League 2 perch next year. As with last year (re any winnings), if I could be entered next season and the rest please put towards the running costs of OWTB. Cheers PS I suppose in the time honoured tradition, I'll have to list my predicting achievements in a new signature.

I agree, I think this is the one big positive to take from the situation. Although I suppose fans of Hartlepool, Orient, Bin dippers etc etc etc thought the same. Jesus we must be capable of finishing above 2 teams in this division, surely.

TBH I'm not one for following anyone's prediction, win or lose I'd rather just use my own judgement. May the best man (or woman) win. I'm a male BTW.

Northampton 1 v 1 Latics (HT 1-0) Nazon 5822

Goal of the season, Doyle v Rochdale for me, excellent move and brilliant first time strike.

I'm afraid 24hrs is right, I'll be parking the bus for this one.