welshgaz

I'm sure a lot of you will disagree with what I'm about to say which I guess is what forums are about but here's my take on all of this:

 

Robinson was brought in and had 5 players contracted at his disposal, out of those 5 initial players 2 have played a few games, one has gone out on loan (Edmundson) and two released (Brown and Cassidy) and as such had to bring in a lot of players in a short space of time, we've signed 24/25 or so.

 

Despite all of this I'm sure Robinson would have thought I need bodies rather than a small amount of quality players, almost using the first 6 months as an extended trial for many players, this is proven in my opinion with the amount of 1 year contracts given out. Along with signing so many players in such a short period of time he also needs to plan for the new season and get working with the players regardless of them coming in in dribs and drabs and as such was dealt with a mountain to climb immediately (I'm sure most will agree)

 

We have been given mixed messages from the board and management staff with regards to season ticket sales, the budget as a whole and other things that all contribute to a struggle we are involved in until this present day. With the few contacts in football at League One level I have (from work and having friends who work/play at other clubs) I have managed to work out (more so through hearsay) of where our budget is likely to be when comparing us to the rest of the division.

 

The budget we have I think, don't know (educated guess) is well in the bottom 4, if not the bottom in the division. This to me, comes as no surprise at all really, Corney says he wants to sell (I don't blame him) and as such won't put anymore money into the cause (if he did have any to give) and along with the manager being drafted in late I doubt he was given a lot of money in a budget to spend on players that really he wasn't as sure about as a manager should be, like I have said before signings had to be rushed.

 

I think, Robbo is well within his rights to use the budget card as it probably is true especially when comparing to some of the teams in our league (top end like Bradford, Sheff Utd etc). If he does it as a cry for help so to speak for fans to give him time, again fair enough from me as he does in my opinion need a transfer window.

 

Where I think Robinson misses a trick and a major sway in supporters is when he comes out with the 'x factor world' and 'instant success'. People in general life probably do want instant success and those at the top do too. However, he hasn't yet worked out that we (or rather I) don't demand instant success, I demand a team to go out on the field and try, work for the shirt and for me to come away not feeling cheated of an afternoon which on an occasion or two this season (Swindon and Rochdale) I have, just like I have under Dunn, Kelly and Holden previously.

 

I choose to watch Latics at nearly every game, missed Gillingham this season and all checkatrade games and of course that's my choice, believe it or not I do enjoy it but I just want a manager to realise that we as Oldham supporters don't want instant success just slightly better than the dross we have been treated to more so over the last 2 years or so and for us to see some improvement and even some entertainment which I'm hoping will come (probably after January now!)

 

I would give Robinson time (can see why people wouldn't) as I believe we have to stick at a manager at some point and chopping and changing will only ever get you so far. I believe in this squad we have quite a few talented players, more than last season (people will disagree!) in Ripley, Clarke, Flynn, Fane and McClaughlin and as such i'm hoping if Robbo can attract these players and spot a talent like these then I hope he can reshuffle in Jan and be able to find a couple more which again I'm hoping will provide us with more entertainment than 9 goals in 17 league games haha!

Brilliant post. I agree we have thrown together a decent squad. Robinson needs to work out quickly how to win games and realise that 2 up front doesn't work. Our personnel is suited to Flynn in the hole behind a striker with 2 wingers. Green and Fane holding with Banks in there pulling the strings.

I agree Gaz a midfield five of Banks Fane and Green central with McLaughlin and Flynn working the flanks would for me be a better option, play one up front I'd say Erwin and that would be a much more balanced side, both our left backs are struggling though which is another issue that needs addressing in the window.

Yes Dunne had a mare yesterday particularly positionally. Rarely in line with the rest of the back 4.

Think Banks is a luxury we can't afford at the moment. Yes, does one or two sublime passes but also passed it straight to their players a few times yesterday too! He does tend to "swan around" the pitch as though he's some kind of mercurial player but is poor defensively and too soft. With him in the side, we do seem lacking in midfield in the absence of a Kelly type player.

Banks will always struggle in a 2. Doesn't do anywhere near enough dirty work. When Green is fit they all should play in there. Banks being under strict instruction to get the ball wide.

A young, raw kid plucked from non-league and folks are ripping him a new arsehole already

 

I'd suggest he's been told to not surge forward quite like he has because he was getting caught upfield and then fouling/getting booked when trying to recover the situation. All part of the learning process.

 

My only main criticism of him has been when winning the ball in defensive areas & he's had a lot of space infront of him to drive forward before meeting an opposing player he's passed it away too quickly. He'll give it to the nearest man instead of pushing us up the pitch which stifles our break away from defence. That is something Robbo needs to sort out. Other than that, I've no problem with him as he learns the trade at this level.

Well said.

If by some miraculous miracle we got to Wembley I struggle to accept people taking the moral high ground and not going. There can't be many who would have such a bizzare stance.

Like Burgess some really unfair criticism of a player in his first season in the football league. We have a very good and effective player on our hands if he sticks to what he is good at and breaks up play. Give it to the better footballers and keep it simple.

Surprised at the praise Banks is getting. There were a few lovely balls out wide, especially to McLaughlin, but as Chris_ktf says at #162, he struggled with simple passes, and offers less than Winchester defensively. For a big lad, you'd hope he could put himself about a bit more.

Offers less than Winchester defensively?!! Winchester offers nothing defensively. He went off yesterday because it was too cold I reckon.

Clearly stated on pre- match info sent to everyone who booked that iir was a buffet

Enjoyed it and great result too

Think the point is that there should be more than one person serving.

 

If we get over run most weeks anyway surely we might aswell try and be a bit more creative...?

Maybe. That's why I'd play Winny or Banks.

 

All of them I'd hope...?

Who is going to tackle enough to dominate the midfield? We'd just get overrun like we do most weeks.

I'd pick

 

Ripley

 

Dummigan

Clarke

Gerrard

Reckord (he isn't actually as bad as he was last week, is he?)

 

McLaughlin

Green

Winchester

Flynn

 

Erwin

Mckay

 

Erwin and Mckay to STAY :censored:ING CENTRAL, play off each other and be fined if either of them stray wide of the lines of the penalty area.

 

SR will pick

 

Ripley

 

Dummigan

Clarke

Burgess

Dunn

 

McLaughlin

Green

Fane

Flynn

 

Erwin

Ladapo

 

Although there's talk of Mckay coming back in.

 

What's happening with Law? Is he injured or out of favour? Or has Croft eaten him?

I'd give him a go in midfield if fit...

Who is going to tackle in that team?

What's everyone's team for tomorrow?I'd go (but he won't)

Ripley

Dummigan

Clarke

Burgess

Dunne

Green

Fane

Winchester

Mckay

Flynn

Erwin

Is Clarke suspended yet? I'm struggling with what personnel to play in my preferred 4-2-3-1 with flynn off Erwin.

one of ??????

Fair point.

I know some won't like this but we really miss Holloway and Main not just because they scored a few but they were fantastic at defending from the front. Ladapo is up there with one of the laziest strikers I've seen.

You not gone to Leeds or Bristol rovers then?

You've lost me Adam....

I don't get the Burgess bashing on here. He struggled on Saturday granted but in a team toothless up front as ours he's hardly the problem.

 

I've defended Green over the last few weeks despite some poor performances and the tide turning against him. He's played at Championship level for the previous 9 season, he can obviously pass a ball, and he started the season off very well, having run the show in a few games.

 

The only explanation is tiredness from having to constantly cover for Fane, who like you say is never right side of his man and can't advance beyond the half way line through his lack of ball control. You're absolutely right that Fane must be dropped, but if Green is fatigued I can't imagine Robinson will want him as the only holding midfielder, especially as I can't think of a player we have to cover that position.

 

Although, the fact that Robinson has stated on a number of occasions that he never intended for Fane to start games regularly suggests he had some sort of plan which didn't include the lad. Wouldn't mind him dusting that off asap...

 

Personally I'd stick Banks in there with Green. While he might not have the engine he's definitely got composure on the ball.

Stick banks in alongside green and fane and play flynn off erwin. Having banks alongside green will still see us over over run in midfield.

Is Glackin in the youth team not worth a go? Bags for fun.

Until we return to Flynn off Erwin with an extra man in midfield we will continue to over run in midfield and lose.

 

Erwin is garbage

He's certainly not a goalscorer but he's he's not garbage. He's a talented young lad in a poor team.

I honestly don't believe Burgess is that bad. If he had a decent 6 in front of him he wouldn't be being questioned on here

I disagree. We all know it's not Robinsonvs fault. He had an impossible task.

Even if he did. Why talk the talk in the week then send the team out to perform like that. Pathetic. I'm sick of watching us get out fought.

I think we are caught between two styles at present.

 

We haven't the size or pace (that is starting games) to play a direct game based around hitting a target and playing off his feet.

 

Equally we haven't got the quality to retain and progress the ball when we do have it from deep.

 

Against Bolton, they were happy to give us the short pass in our defensive third because they were absolutely confident they would win it off Fane in particular when we tried to move the ball into our midfield.

 

Flynn is frequently the only one of our midfield in the few games I have seen who even attempts to move the ball between the lines. So much of the rest of our possession slides left and right aimlessly, all of which gives limited opposition like Bristol Rovers the chance to reset defensively.

 

In credit to Robinson, I can see what he is trying to do in trying to retain and control the ball. Unfortunately at present we are suspect defensively, limited in midfield and the only goals we are going to score subsequently come from individual quality or set plays. Neither of which we have in abundance.

 

Based on Saturday, Mclaughlin (not sure of spelling) must start next week. He brought an outlet and pace to the side lacking in the opening 50 odd minutes. If you balance that on the left with Flynn, keep Green and Fane holding and release Winchester to play as a 10 behind either Erwin or Ladapo, then hopefully you have a chance to move the ball through midfield.

 

IMHO, Flynn, Winchester and Mclaughlin should be capable of both getting alongside and beyond a front man, or attempting to play them in through the channels.

 

I don't see any version of 4 in midfield that sees us either lightweight or incredibly narrow.

 

We make life difficult for ourselves by setting out each game to create the perfect goal. For every winner against Gillingham there are 4 games we draw a blank. Pace and adventure are required...

Best post I've read on here in a while

Bristol were a team of cloggers Marshalled by Peter Hartley. That guy is league two at best. I'm so envious.

Erwin tracking back and helping out full backs wins it for me.