perfectOzblue

Dunno why this has stuck in my head, but I always remember standing on the absolutely freezing cold terrace at Bournemouth circa January 1998. A 0-0 draw, Warnock playing a 9-0-1 formation with Stuart freakin' Barlow as our only striker. After 80 minutes of snoozing and zero attempts at attacking football, we finally got the ball in a promising position near the corner flag. The ball went to Starbuck free on the left...and he pathetically let the ball dribble under his foot for a goalkick. Cue howls of abuse from 200 Latics fans standing yards away. Starbuck gave us a look that combined shock, resignation and utter embarrassment for his efforts. I remember just for one second feeling sorry for him and how the life of a professional footballer probably isn't all that great sometimes. He was still utter garbage though.

...if he plays against us on Saturday?

Kevin Moore was a little before my time, but the rest of your list is spot-on in my book. I would have Jobson, Barrett and Fleming as central defenders in my all-time Latics squad of 23.

Good shout on Brentford - I reckon they are decent outsiders this season. Signed a couple of useful players in pre-season. I'll also go Chelski, Leicester and Crawley.

Sod all this mindless discussion. I'm still shocked by the news that Danny Whittaker scored 15 goals for Chesterfield last season. THE Danny Whittaker who spent at least 80 per cent of his matches for us as a complete non-entity? How did THAT happen?

I think the OP was referring to last Saturday's match?!

Yeah, it seems to be something that's crept in over the last few seasons in increasing numbers. I always find it amazing seeing the number of empty seats at Premier League matches. Look at Birmingham - even for home games, there's usually whacking great empty areas, even when they play the likes of Man U/Arsenal. There even seemed to be a few empty seats at Old Trafford the other night against Stoke. Not sure if the weather was bad, or if fans just couldn't be bothered? According to the Newcastle United website, West Ham took just under 800 up there last night. I know it's a fair old trek, but I would've thought more would've gone than that (West Ham fans always seem to travel in decent numbers). There looked to be a few gaps in the Villa seating area at Chelski t'other day. I always find it amazing how Fulham never seem to take many away fans, even to London derbies. The number of empty seats at places like Blackburn, Sunderland and Wigan are just embarrassing as well. I suppose when we were in the Prem you had teams like Coventry and Wimbledon who didn't bring many fans to BP. I think it's just another case of getting past the Premier League 'most exciting league in the world' spin/bollocks.

I live near Tamworth in north-west New South Wales. Ever since I arrived here about two years ago, I just say I'm from "near Manchester". I always feel a bit guilty/pretentious saying that rather than my actual place of birth. I am from Rochdale, so allowances can be made though, right?!

Look, how about you all stop moaning and pontificating about the weather, you soft jessies. You think you've got it tough? It's going to be grey with showers at Coogee Beach on Christmas Day, apparently....... ....but it will be 25 degrees celsius (insert smug winky thing here).

RIP fella. Thanks for the hilarious memories. "I am serious... and don't call me Shirley."

Could we have some more Latics goals using that Microsoft paint thingy posted on here again soon? I don't get the goals via the BBC website here in Oz. Some of them (especially the Ronnie Moore baiting ones) were bloody great/funny as well... Thanks in advance!

Living out here and experiencing my first Ashes in Australia, I can tell you that the Aussies are definitely not as cocky as usual. Ponting is discovering that life is a bit tougher when you don't have Warne, Gilchrist, Hayden etc to call on. There's a distinct lack of confidence among everyone here, from the media to my work colleagues. They're worried - it's great! The mind games are predictable, but ridiculously inane. Fox Sports conjured up a story of Pietersen being 'obviously' unpopular and an outcast from the rest of the England squad. All seemingly based on brief footage they had of him using his mobile in the corner of a room! The endless, ENDLESS references to 'The Poms' are really getting annoying as well. For frig's sake, we're ENGLAND! Loads of references in the media to 'cocky' England as well. Oh, get stuffed! What, just because we think we've got a chance this time? I suppose we do the same to them, but it's still a bit tiresome. I'm not getting too carried away. I reckon it's 50-50. Still not convinced we have the bowlers to take 20 Aussie wickets consistently on home soil. Having said that, the Aussie attack ain't that great. Could be famous last words, but Mitchell Johnson (to my mind) is the most overrated bowler on the planet. Anyway, I reckon we've got a decent chance. Knowing these Aussies, they will give me hell if England get stuffed. Don't think it's gonna happen this time, though. Come on Straussy!

Something to cheer everyone up...think we all need a wallow in beautiful nostalgia after these last few days.

Well, that was my first game for 18 months after arriving back on home soil yesterday, so I take full responsibility for today's performance! I expected more after the start of the season and reading/hearing all the optimism, so I'm pretty disappointed. Fair play to Yeovil, though. They were pretty toothless but made it tough. I think the criticism of Taylor is pretty harsh. When did he actually get decent service, especially in the second half?! there was no attempt to attack down the left-hand side for most of the match. I thought Lee/Jones linked up well in the first half, but in the second half they started to panic that we weren't breaking through. I thought the passing was okay today, but the bottom line is we didn't get the ball into their area enough (especially in the second half). I liked the look of Kelly when he came on, thought he looked mobile and held the ball up well. I was disappointed with Stephens, but I think he found it tough against their two terriers in the centre mid. Overall, I think it was a reality check. Two evenly matched sides who will probably finish in mid-table. Disappointing but not a disaster.

I fly into Manchester from Sydney on Friday for three weeks back home. The first time I'll have been on home soil for 18 months. I honestly cannot wait to go to BP on Saturday. Seeing (and reading) the optimism on this site for what Dickov's done so far has just whetted my appetite. It's more than the match though, it's the experience. I can't wait for the journey on the 409 to BP, the pre-match brew, watching the pitch get wetter as the inevitable rain falls, the half-time pie, the worry, the joy....God, I've missed it. COME ON OLDHAM!

What's our record against the top six this season? Two points from 12 games, home and away? With (at the time of typing) four goals, is it? What a freakin' joke.

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsU...2015291,00.html Have a look at their goal stats...and weep. If only we were anything like this. Not to mention their home record! We could be in for a pasting tonight, I fear.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8604663.stm Check out the last paragraph. Bet a sharper wit than me can come up with a tasteless (but amusing) Latics-related punchline....

According to the BBC website, Burnley equaled the record held by Latics for the worst start to a Premier League match (conceding three goals in the first seven minutes) during their tonking by City. So..without checking Google, who were Latics' opponents that day, what was the final score and who was the rather hapless goalkeeper whose disastrous kicks led to the pasting? Your answers please....

Danny Whitaker is on for the second half! Things must be bad. A sign perhaps that our midfield has been less than creative....?

According to the BBC website, we've had ONE shot either on or off target in the entire first half. Maybe we are playing like Brazil up to their penalty area. Maybe.....

We are in the brown and smelly stuff - not really a time to be gambling on untried players, I think. Could be worth keeping an eye on, I guess. Some other suggestions: Leon Clarke Freddie Eastwood Johnathan Forte Nicky Maynard (my personal choice if available - not a first choice for Brizzle City at the moment; was fantastic on his day at this level and could link up well with Abbott).

Lewis Guy from Donny? Nippy striker, not having much of a look-in there at the moment. Might be a good foil for Abbott. Probably fits Penney's MO re:signing players too. Doesn't seem to be getting much a of run now that James Hayter (wish he was available) is in their team.

....than I've been before a Latics match in ages. Anyone else? Probably because I'm 12,000 miles away and this feels like the first big match since I moved to Oz. I know we have nearly half a season left and time to turn things around. But I reckon we have got to win today, simple as. Incidentally, I am willing to declare that I jinxed Latics by moving here. When I flew out, we were in the play-offs, above Leeds, Chris Taylor was still good and Keigan Parker was someone else's problem. It's all my fault, I admit it! Anyway, it's going to be a long night. Time to put the feet up, get the beers in, watch the Mersey derby on Fox and then PRAY! Come on Oldham....

I reckon 4-3-3 is the now the best formation for us to adopt. Price is not an out-and-out striker (hence his goalscoring record). He is like Keigan Parker, an 'attacker' (although hopefully he will actually be able to play football). I think we should play Pav as the central striker, with Taylor and Price either side of him. If Aljofree has signed, he can play right-back. Goodwin can move into centre mid as the ball-winner with Stephens and either Furman/Whitaker as the attacking midfielder. The only danger is that this may actually make Latics a semi-attacking team, which David Penney seems vehemently opposed to. Let's give it a go though. Thoughts?