GlossopLatic

We can deal with the problem of surviving in the EFL in the summer should we get there. However if history tells us anything getting promoted from the National League is far harder than staying in league 2. I think we will find that if/when we get there.

Well you say that in jest obviously but we managed that form under him in the 2nd half of last season with predominantly the same players. We have a more experienced coach now who knows what it takes to win promotion at the business end of the season. We have what is a better squad than then and certainly will be if we sign those extra couple of players that's needed then all those factors considered promotion is very much on this season.

3 points currently separating 5th and 11th. It's tight but this is the time in the season to start racking up the Wins if we can get to.the top of that mini league then perhaps we can set our sights on Barnet and Bromley in 2nd and 3rd Chesterfield won't be caught unless they implode. Remember we only have to show form as good as this time last year between 1st Jan 23 to Apr 23 to get ourselves high up in the play offs That will ensure we get atleast 1 home fixture on the play offs.

Hes a strange one, he had potential to be a success but he never really achieved anything tangible at any of the clubs he's been at. He had us up and around the play offs but left without getting us anywhere, the minute he started looking good at Barnsley he jumped ship to what you would think would be his dream job at Bristol City. Where he had a notable run in the league cup but again that was it, it didn't end in what they would see as success which was promotion to the PL. His jobs since then have been less successful. He's never actually won anything. He could definitely talk the talk which does help as it will help you get people onside and potentially he could do some punditry but I don't think we've seem the last of him as a manager. I'm sure a southern based club will take him on and I wouldn't bet against him succeeding.

It's very satisfying and almost unheard of for us to be this close at this time of year. We are in a good place on and off the pitch to move forward. Is it the greatest football I've ever seen no do I think we need 2-3 players to give us a better chance of promotion yes. Do I think we need to be that much better than we are now to get promotion actually no I don't.

Not wanting to come inbetween a feud between 2 blokes both older than my Dad but in this instance it was hardly an unreasonable suggestion I think Mancini would be a good signing here and would probably thrive.

Seemed? He Jumped into the Chaddy End and got a booking I thought he was going to run up the steps and take them all on. Never Change Big Mike.

Think a scruffy win was required as not winning at home was becoming abit of psychological barrier for us so now that's been broken hopefully we can start getting some more home wins under our belt. Still believe we are 2-3 players from being a promotion winning team a Mancini like player would certainly make a difference I doubt Hartlepool will be prepared to sell, they look like they are in abit of turmoil and will require a couple of season of transition before they are ready to go back into the football league.

We appear to have gone 4-2-3-1 with big Mike up the middle and Norwood right mid Kitch Left Mid and Ward playing behind Fondop not sure it's working too well.

Looks like Southend fans have had a Christmas present contracts for the sale have been exchanged, Maher and his backroom staff have signed new contracts, and the transfer embargo has been lifted. Great news for them, I suppose they are probably too far behind to mount a promotion campaign this season but next season they will be a big hitter in the league.

I don't mind that bit of arrogance particularly from the main striker. I want him to have abit of an ego, because you need that if you are a goalscorer and that belief that you can go out every game and score, that will win us games. I don't think the other players will mind it too much especially if he is delivering which he is.

So you will only drop this ridiculous point of view if he single handedly gets us promotion we are 3 points of the play offs mainly because of him. Norwood is doing his bit its time some of the other players did the same on a consistent basis.

Depends on what rules there are set in the dressing room for the players too follow, these are things we aren't privy too and probably shouldn't be. Reid may have already been warned on this issue, and Mellon himself may not take too kindly to banter posts on social media he comes across as dour Scot who takes his role as manager seriously and demands a certain conduct from his players. For the record I don't think this incident shows that the players don't care, if we had thrown in a stinker of a performance yesterday and were dicked 4-0 then yes I'd be strongly questioning the mentality of the current squad. However they've come out yesterday and performed, they need to follow that up Saturday too. Its also been suggested that some of the players took issue with Reid on what he posted. Id say thats a good thing it means that there is a sense of accountability in the dressing room and not just coming from the manager and coaching staff either. It could as some say be a turning point for some of the players and it might be a wake up call for some of the others in the squad too.

Bump 8 in his last 8 3rd highest goalscorer in the league but again we have to ask ourselves what does James Norwood bring to this team? We've had a few contenders down the years but I think this thread will upstage the legendary Wellens vs Whittaker thread.

10 in 11 for not caring not smiling Norwood Bastard!

About Reid posting it or at Mellon for suspending him?

I took the why the F are we here comment (I don't care who said it) as throwaway line and not to be taken seriously, however it looks like Mellon wants to take strict line on discipline for things like this and demands high standards. I've no problem with that, we all have to be careful what we put on social media these days every company has policies on these things. The players better put in a performance today then we can put this behind us as quick as possible.

It's the season of goodwill and all that so let's have a nice happy thread. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas to wherever you are in the world. Abit of dissapointing result yesterday but our future is bright we have the right people running the club and eventually we will get a promotion back to the football league and more good times beyond that. Take care Neil Joy...... ....sorry GlossopLatic. *NB for anyone unfamiliar the Merry Christmas Y'filthy animals is a reference from the film Home Alone. Most of you probably know that but just incase you didn't.

I was level with it in the North Stand definitely not offside they did us for movement. I think what we've learned from Mellon's tenure so far is that he can get a tune out of this lot away from home when there is less emphasis to take control of the game and the away results Barring the shambles at Fylde have been that of a promotion chasing side. The home performances have been that of a side fighting relegation. I think its clear that their are players in the team who he trusts and those he doesn't. I think Ward and Dickensen aren't in his plans at all nothing to suggest they are injured. My position is the same as last week we can get into the top 7 if we sign those 3 or 4 players needed particularly in midfield and solve the right back/wing back conundrum. I think he's OK with both Sutton and Mcgahey as members of his squad but he's putting them in as stop gaps because he doesn't trust the other midfielders/right sided players on the books to do a job for him.

I'm off home to watch Love Actually I need cheering up after that....

Between the boxes Gateshead are as good a side as any in the division. For the first 30 we were definitely second best however after weathering that storm (pun intended as its now pissing it down) we've done abit better.

Norwood scoring and not smiling again Twat!

I'll be happy to get to HT and it be nil nil here only 1 in this one.

We don't! We are not in must win territory yet. But at some point if we are to go and challenge for promotion then we are going to need to put together a string of results which sees us top the form league (like 5-8 wins on the bounce) that will push us up into and cement ourselves in that top 7 group of clubs and could push us further if we really do it well. Promotion chasing sides usually do that and are capable of that. While peaking at the right time will be important we don't want to leave our charge to the line too late.

Absolutely it will, probably be the lowest league attendance of the season the weeks before Christmas are always the worst for attendances. This also has a typical Latics 0-1 home defeat written all over it.