bossrocks

Think its time to give Amos a rest - 11 goals in 3 games. Also I'm not convinced about Black. Thought we played well in the first half after their goals. 2nd half we were dreadful - hoofball to noone.

Trotman's form has been poor (bar his first couple of games). But pretty much all the team's form has been poor recently so maybe a bit harsh to single him out.

I've been on the other side of it myself - I used to work for Lancashire County Council's Education department and was always frustrated by their inefficiency. I worked with some very competent people but the general attitude seemed to be that trying to make things more efficient was almost derided and ridiculed.

I don't know if this was directed at my comment - I wasn't suggesting that state schools are inefficient and I appreciate the enormity of the challenge they face educating many of today's youngsters. I was only saying that the process of funding schools via local authorities, who then retain a proportion of that funding, is inefficient. I'd rather see the funding go direct to the schools where possible.

I'm sure if you divided overall spend by the number of pupils, the cost may even be higher than £6k. I was thinking more along the lines of, how much money would a state school receive in additional funding if you were to send your son there? And therefore how much is the LEA saving by not having to provide that funding? Its criminal that so much of the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant from the DCSF ends up being retained centrally by the council (this isn't a dig at OMBC, it happens everwhere). Cut down on the middle men and get the money into the classroom! Then we might have state schools which can compete with private schools in terms of the quality of education they provide.

I don't have kids but I think you're doing the right thing. I find it frustrating that LEAs provide state schools with roughly £3k per pupil per year yet don't help out with parents wanting to send their kids to private school, particularly those on less than high incomes. The fact that your son is not in a state school is saving Oldham Council lots of money - close to £40k if its primary and secondary.

Wouldn't blame him at all if he was offered a decent opportunity. I think he can do better than Scunny though.

I'll be there as I support Oldham, not Barcelona or Arsenal.

Novel idea but how many of these kids would keep coming when they turn 18 and have to pay £300+ though?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we won all 3 or lost all 3. As someone mentioned on another thread, we're consistent in our inconsistency! We should aim for 7 points but 5 would probably be ok.

Agree completely. I came as close as I've ever done to not renewing after last season so I'll be getting one next year, bar me moving out of the north west. Plus my dad has just turned 60 so I think he'll be wanting to renew at an OAP rate!

Stephens obviously not fully recovered. Give Dickov credit, he's spotted the weaknesses in the side recently (Taylor in the middle, Reid) and changed it round. Lets hope Penney doesn't get one over on us!

+1 I think Jones has a lot to offer and Hartlepool fans raved about him in the middle.

Didn't he spit his dummy out when he was left out of the squad for one of the (few) games over the Christmas period? Shame 'cause I don't think we've seen the best of him. A few people have mentioned Medi as a replacement for Stephens. I might be completely wrong but isn't he a full back?

Medi's a fullback. I'd prefer to see Jones given a go I thought he played well last time I saw him (Brentford). I doubt we'll be paying much for this new guy anyway - WBA are probably covering his wages in the hope that he gets some first team action.

I love Taggs.

Maybe but how much do you think it costs to make a football shirt somewhere in the far east? I'll admit the profits are much higher for United shirts which can be made in huge quantities.

They'd make £80 more than they do now from my dad and I.

The one thing which struck me yesterday was the spectacle of the whole thing. For a young kid it would be a great day out. Apart from the product on the pitch, it matches Blackburn, Wigan, Bolton etc. Can't say the same about BP unfortunately. Just goes to show what a cracking job Dickov and the boys are doing. Promotion or no promotion we're punching well above our weight. KTF.

Hollinwood sounds fine to me. Wonder what this lot will think about it? http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hollinwood/

I once read the after cinema popcorn, football shirts were the most profitable items sold in the world (in terms of the % margin). At £40 I won't buy one. If they were £20, I'd buy both home and away and I know others who'd do the same.

Stephens if he plays.

I didn't know there were so many old people on the internets

I hear there's an ousted middle-eastern politician with a spare £25bn.

Let's be honest, OMBC doesn't give a :censored: about OAFC. The borough has a population of what, 200k? And we have a core fan base of 3.5k. That's 1.75%. Its not winning them votes, they don't care.