DerekWilson_1968

Never saw ZZ in the flesh, but yes I would say he was. KtF, Derek.

Absolutely I am. For the last few weeks we have had one or two days worth of work for which a few months ago would have been a 24/7 operation. It is actually getting worse, next week so far we have 7 hours worth of work purely because our customers have no orders. I am a planner and controller on not a bad wage and spent all day today with a brush in my hand cleaning the factory as there is that little real work to do. You can get a kid to do that on minimum wage. Those on high in Germany have said enough is enough, they have already cut their mainland Europe operations down to 3 days a week from 7, we are next and we have cut everything to the bone. Next step is redundancies. I am cutting my cloth so tightly that I consider even travel to BP is a choice I don't want to make despite the fact I have a season ticket. I just can't afford to spend the extra few quid to get there at the minute. I have a mortgage and debts to look after first, have just got married and not yet moved in together because we are both feeling the pinch and can't get a sale on either house. Whilst Latics are really important to me, bricks and mortar are far exceeding that want. KtF, Derek. Edit to add that I am still owed a months wage, and am not the only one, because the UK arm of the company has no liquidity. We buy in Euros and sell in pounds, the last few months have been a nightmare. Projected losses this year on exchange rate alone are a million quid.

As so many have stated over the years Diego, to get the best from the genius you have to accept the madness. There is a list as long as my arm of players that have been blessed with talent that far out reaches that of others but they all have a beast waiting to be released at any moment. In the nineties and noughties there has still to be a better footballer for me than Roy Keane. Mad as a hatter or not, I would take every problem going to have that prodigious talent on board with my team. Bad decision or not, who wouldn't want to elbow the scouse :censored:wit that is McAteer??? ;) KtF, Derek.

My Dad got remarried that day. I went to the game instead and laughed my bollocks off when the beanpole scored. KtF, Derek.

Ok I'm not going to comment on his managerial departure, what I will say though is that he is THE best player I have ever witnessed with my own eyes (dis-regarding those that have played for the mighty). Even as a kid he was an awesome midfield player and he just got better and better from my pov. I have seen some fantastic footballers in my time, still wish I had seen Henry though, but Keanes will and desire to win at any cost was the making of the best midfield player of modern times in my opinion. I bet there were many opponents that went up against him that thought they had lost before the game started. To dismiss him as a mindless thug is crass, he was a old-fashioned hard as nails midfield player with lots and lots of talent in his boots. He could pick a team up by its bootlaces and make them play on his own. Of course he had his moments of madness but I bet every single one of us would excuse those for what he brought to the team if he had played for us. When at his peak there was only one in the greedy league willing to stand up to him and that was Viera. Everyone else knew they were second best coming out of the tunnel. If anyone ever gets a performance as talented as the night they turned Juve over in Turin from a midfield player again I will be amazed. KtF, Derek.

Well slap my wrists and send me to bed with no supper. Forgive me for not towing the fans rep party line on the signing and hopeful loss of Lee Hughes. KtF, Derek.

Everton away when the school of science had to kick us to bits to get a draw. City away so many times, and likewise L**ds away. Typically though I am going to go for a defeat. Liverpool away just because I was there. You had to be there to believe it was happening. For the happy clappy lot, Villa away or Liverpool at home in the great escape season. For the less well known jollies, QPR away when we won 3-1 and Swindon away (JJ super goal season). KtF, Derek.

Though not as many as the often critisised Porter and Beckett. Or from other teams Lambert, Beckford, Cox, Mikael-Smith, Graham, Hooper. Is he getting pro rata anywhere near Liddells 19 assists? 400K for that? Come on? Which fan wouldn't realistically say yes? Added to that, the stench of bad publicity would be hoisted upon anothers teams shoulders. KtF, Derek.

Let's hope he doesn't and we can rake in the cash for the perma suspended crock. KtF, Derek.

Don't think he has got it anymore Nik. One too many injuries have taken their toll, but very nice to see that the 'greedy bastard' myth has been put to bed. He was quality for us when we needed it most, and on meeting him, though a bit of a loner, an exceptional bloke. Will never forget the sight of him sat with Lids in IOM Hilton with his knee in a brace and still having the time to say hello, nor offering tickets at Brentford in the Cup when he got off the coach. Great player, great man. Doesn't deserve any of the stick he gets off so many of our fans. KtF, Derek.

If he goes to Donny will we be able to join in with the national outrage that his signing on fee will engender? If he goes to Millwall will they open their collective arms and welcome him into their bosom as one of their own? If he goes, will I care? I know the answer to one of them. Cheers and thanks for the dosh. Half season wonder. KtF, Derek.

Of all the new grounds it is the least appealing. Good news for the club in respect of the cash windfall, but a souless and unattractive ground in the same grotty part of Leicester that Filbert Street was iirc. KtF, Derek.

Nearly had a heart attack there Diego. I thought it said 'Cut out the booze'. KtF, Derek.

There is a pub called The Strawberry over the road from SJP - not advisable for 1st team games, but for a stiffs fixture I would think it is OK. KtF, Derek.

10??? Only 10???? Not planning on living long T? That was a seasons worth for me - best badge ever but utterly lose-able. KtF, Derek.

2-0 down and we left for the pub??? No idea what you are talking about squire. There was a bloke lurking about with a pink bag though, strange one that fella. KtF, Derek.

...and to counteract that, Beckett was much more a team player. Hughes has a terrible habit of head down and ignore everyone else - which is just fine if you can weigh in with 30 odd a season, but he doesn't. Beckett on the other hand was part and parcel of the run that saw the often maligned Chris Killen through his very purple patch whilst weighing in with not an inconsiderable tally himself. KtF, Derek.

Equilibrium is restored, and I agree with the Beckett comparison (not that I would have him back). KtF, Derek.

7th - 14th. Expect nothing more and you won't be disappointed. KtF, Derek.

The last signings I got giddy about were Lids and Wellens - and rightly so IMO. This year everyone was going ballistic about Whits. I didn't even know who he was. KtF, Derek.

Ah that old chestnut. Because I am a critic (rather than happy clappy) I should feck off and watch whichever team is winning. It isn't about that FB, it is though about realising what we are. In your post without any surprise you put 4 teams in there that you think that perhaps we are not the equal of. Of course we all play in the same division but we are of the 'have not' variety rather than the 'haves'. Two of those teams mentioned do have 20,000+ crowds regularly. The other two are having money thrown at them like it is going out of fashion. Scunthorpe have just come down, but from their championship winning season we know that they are all about team over individual. They win consistently and whilst not having a great record against the top six or seven, they regularly despatch teams like Stockport, Yeovil, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham et al. They really know what it takes and do it on a regular basis. Going back to Stockport - a team on their uppers, really only Hereford that has let the promoted teams down by being completely out of their depth. Then we have the Brightons of the world, teams that finish well and are challengers for one of the last play off spots that I think we are realistically challenging for. We are not going to go up automatically - Leeds and Leicester will throw money at it in the new year if it isn't working. Peterborough and MK Dons will do the same for 3rd - 7th place. For the also rans there are two places available and we are in with a shout, but so are a good half a dozen other teams. I have been watching this team for 34 years and I now realise we are a third division club with third division ambitions. A decent cup run, a flirt with the play offs and everyone should be happy and should stay that way. Bollocks - give 'em a kick up the arse every now and then - that's why we are fans rather than spectators. KtF, Derek.

Are we really anything better than upper mid table anyway??? Was the pre season optimism over egged a little on here? I think so. KtF, Derek.

I don't think we have anything close to a Chris Porter at the moment. My views on Hughes are above. Lewis - should be in and out of the team. He isn't a Rooney or Owen and should be played sparingly as the lad is learning his trade. COG - I will welcome him back as a hold up player, but I don't see a prolific marksman in those boots - but he could be a great asset to the team in time. Davies - forget him. He has more loose slates than New Orleans had after the hurricane. I would bet my bottom dolar we will never see him again in Oldham blue. I have absolutely no idea what has gone on, not heard any rumours. I have though seen enough players shipped out in my time to make that judgement call. Deano - well I reckon he could do a filling in job, I said pre-season he would be good for 10 goals given a season of playing. Think Shez is asking him to plug the holes a la MacDonald last season which won't help, but another one for the future. Really what we need is someone with the talent to spot those like Scunny did. The list is becoming a good one for them. Sharp, Keogh and now Hooper and Hayes. I think the pertinent question is why are we going for has beens and gambles, yet a club of similar stature in the last 5 years has dug up 4 diamonds. What is it that is wrong with our scouting system? KtF, Derek. Edit: Oops! two 't's in stature.

Good grief! Ronnie could have seen me bankrupt after my postings on JKL. EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KtF, Derek.

And therein lies the crux of what he brings to the team. A good 40% of last season injured - even perma crock Lids (according to some) managed one more appearance. This season the majority of it half fit, suspended for a game through an act of unbelievable petulism - 4 bookings or not, put your brain in gear lad. For me he is a luxury we can't afford. Billy Big Bollocks on the pitch a la Gregan marching all over the place shouting and bawling at anyone and everything, but the lad spends almost half the season out. Undoubtedly a lethal marksman when fit, but how many times does it really happen? 15 goals this season max. He will spend another 3 months out injured with his pulled bollock again I would bet. Not the man for the job. Where's Scunthorpes striker scout????? KtF, Derek. Edit: there you go Coco, there is a man to take up your miserablist mantle whenever you want. Me.