De_La_Vega

These anti-management articles always frustrate me because there are so many people who imply great knowledge without actually putting any substance behind it. Does anyone actually know the financial position at the club? Could we survive without investment, say through fan ownership or similar? For my money the club has had some pretty impressive squads in recent years, with big money players. What therefore is the appalling mismanagement that is constantly referred to?

Not convinced about Tarkowski, he looks too error-prone for my money. You can almost sense a goal coming when he plays, and that's corrosive further up the pitch. I'd still like to see him come on, because he has some ability, but there is a lot to do. Winchester should be playing full-back to me. Young, a bit flighty at times and not physically ready can be accommodated out there if you are technically sound and have some pace. There's time for him to become a man and then move into midfield. As for Mellor, I'm unsure. He has looked a talent at times, but back end of last year he was desperately poor for my money, and that was a surprise. Still would have expected him to play a little though...

Really? Considering that we've not been scoring many lately then is he not doing his job? Sorry, don't buy that I'm afraid, but each to their own.

How much does he actually influence the game week in, week out? He's a tremendously talented player, but when we are struggling and the movement around him is limited then he is a good player doing not a lot. Would like to keep but if it isn't meant to be then I'll get over it.

Agree that all options need exploring, but this is one that has to go away for mine. Our problem isn't that the youth team is not producing, it is that the integration of 18 year olds into the first team isn't working and we need to understand why. Isn't that part of GO's remit as assistant?

Grounds was tremendous in defence, and was one of the few who didn't start to panic.

I don't want an argument because I sympathise with the Liverpool fans, but explaining these events in purely mechanical terms doesn't work for me. Big games regularly visited such inadequate facilities without such a disastrous ending.

Watching Oldham on tv would be totally lame. Sod 3d telly, get to the ground.

No. I don't believe the fans were 100% innocent at the game and I have no great animus towards the police, who are being judged by today's standards when the reality of policing football then was vastly different. Let it lie. Liverpool fans will not be happy until someone accepts total blame, but not 1% of me believes that there was no reason for the gates being opened. That said, the poor sods at the front were totally innocent, and part of me wonders whether a sense of guilt drives some of the campaign.

Byrne's 50p foot was a constant worry, but we did okay defensively. Utterly :censored:e for the two goals though. Thought Grounds was excellent today, very calm on the ball even when we got too deep later on. Always looked to carry it out and did his job defensively. Very good.

Why bend over backwards? If he wants to stay then he will, it would be demeaning to the other players around him if we totally capitulated to Baxter's agents and gave them carte blanche to choose how much cash they make from us.

I think what this is trying to say is that football is coming down hard on the trappings of racism, while ignoring the major concerns. For instance, is John Terry racist? No. There's no way he could have led the dressing rooms he has if he was. Is he nasty enough that he could racially abuse someone who was giving him :censored: - clearly yes. Suarez decision was a joke, the term he used was not perjorative in his culture and the only evidence against him was a full and frank admission of what he said. Why would he do that unless he was telling the truth. Clattenburg is interesting, because if "Spanish :censored:" is not allowed then i'll be interested to see the FA go and revisit what Evra said to Suarez.

The problem with this whole question of justice is that we are in danger of forgetting that football was a very different game in 89. Fans and the police had probably been too well acquainted too many times for the enormity of what was actually happening to sink in. Without wanting to defend changing of statements.and such I struggle to pin all of the blame on police and stewarding, and I do not think that there is a fat-cat police chieftain stroking a white cat laughing at the misery this caused. Put it to bed, because the only people who will be convicted will be retired police officers haunted by what went on who had been doing a tough job policing football and grew cold to the idea that the fans were seriously struggling

Eliminate two teams from the Premier League, but stipulate that it must be totally random. Any team relegated loses all European entries, and cannot appeal to any court or arbitration. See how keen they are then!

No way I'm having it that the original list is correct, there must be a mistake in there. You actually have Tipton scoring in both January and March of 2001! Surely not...

Croft should know better though - shouting at ball boys is not cool. If it's racist then he needs to be severely punished. On the flip side though, shouldn't Sheff Utd be disciplining the ball boy? There are rules about how they have to be impartial in getting the ball back for both sides after all. I think we should get the FA involved, not because I'm too pissed off but because they are a right bunch of arseholes and I fancy some mischief!

Where has the bollocks idea that Chris Taylor doesn't track back come from? He was an outstanding defensive winger who instantly made his full-back's life easier!

More power to the Reuben Hazell at Leeds and Adam Griffin efforts, but I'd also put forward Tony Carss versus Bristol City along with the first goals for us from Adrian Littlejohn and the Welsh Michael Owen Tipton.

Loving the Shed Seven, but knocking Chris Taylor again? Piss off. If you honestly think that about Taylor over the last two years then I suggest you know cock all about football.

Very sadly there has to be a change - despite the fact that I have a lot of time for him. He plays the game the right way, and when we have been good we have looked outstanding at times. Too many games have been squandered through sloppy defending though, and I haven't seen evidence that he can get the players believing once a couple of results go against us. He restored some pride after the Penney disaster, and that deserves thanks. Now though, I cannot see how this can continue

Robbie Simpson's form dropped last year when the entire team stopped playing football and collectively shat the end of the season down the toilet. He was not the only one, and may have been least culpable due to being moved out wide. As for this season - he may not have played too well last couple, but didn't he storm preseason? Along with Furman, who is now also apparently :censored: and unable to pass forward. Get a grip, give the guys some slack and try and enjoy the game... Simpson is undoubtedly a talented player - support him in his difficult times or run the risk of seeing another Eardley or Davies where someone else gets their best years for sod all.

I hope to god Tarkowski doesn't read this message board because he seems to be the only topic. The problem with him is that his successes are overhyped by management and fans on here, so when he fails we get this big "told you he was :censored:" campaign that is getting very dull. He is young and has worthwhile qualities, but needs to keep working hard at his defensive duties. Too many moments of danger come through slips, errors or his being outmuscled - but that is why he should be our third centrehalf. Hopefully he'll keep improving and be worth a starting spot, and then ultimately look to move beyond Latics.

Not sure that Dickov deserves this scorn. Although he has struggled to turn things round when we struggle he has been in the hotseat when we have played some top class stuff. First half versus Sheff Weds being a decent example. We're in a bit of a mire but I don't think that makes him a fool.

I like it, and I'm glad to see that there is still an appetite to report the lower leagues. As for lazy journalism - people please... Would we rather not be written about at all? Minor quibbles with a good piece.

Erm... Ackey in me and the moderators of OWTB saved Latics claim? Scandalous! Innit?