Oh Heck C-Beck

Vernon was decent would have him back but don't think he would solve the scoring problem

LJ should get a fair go like Dickov. Even if the dreaded R happened it might be worth giving him more time. I think many people on here vastly overrate a lot of our players though which automatically leads to dissapointment and negativity

I think I was expecting the Liddell that tore us apart at Wigan. He had slowed down a lot by the time we had signed him.

Lids for me, overall was disappointed with him at latics think he was one the wane but you would back him to score from the spot and looking back he was probably much better than a lot of players we have at the moment

Is that Gayle at palace? How are the others doing? Sounds like your conference club may be better at scouting than latics;)

Since I have been watching Oldham (around 20 years) I count 4 teams in the Premier League that have bypassed us from the basement division and 8 in The Championship. I count 17 teams in our division that have been in the basement during this time, with around 8 of those playing higher. There are also around 6 or 7 teams in the two divisions below us that have made it up to The Championship during this time at some point. Of course relegation is not what we want but it clearly is not the worst thing to happen as other teams have shown.

More like the usual owtb play down the quality of a good player when they leave. Baxter should be up front and if he was i am sure we would have about 10 more goals by now at least.

You have to remember that football is not the only thing that goes on in people's lives too. I know a lad that dropped out if semi pro football to concentrate on a career as a lawyer. He showed a lot of promise when he was young too but didn't pursue all the footballing options. Being a successful pro footballer requires 100％ dedication unless you are one of the lucky ones which can rely solely on talent

I reckon the Baxter deal was out of LJ's hands too. He is not the kind of player you just get rid of on the cheap at this level.

Shez was the last manager that got real backing IMO and it is not surprising that we were top half.

No investment. Every season we replace like with like. Good players go and are replaced with good players. Average players go and are replaced with average players. Poor players go and are replaced with poor players. Youth players are released and replaced with youth players. There is more than enough continuity.

Because Joe's results were outstanding last time he came back.

Has football not moved on from basic 442 though?

Regardless of who the manager is surely a severe lack of investment on the playing side is what is really causing out continuous flirt with relegation. Every season we just replace our squad rather than develop it. I know some fans on here like to slag off old players when they leave but surely we would be in a better position if we could have kept the likes of Croft, Baxter, M Smith, Furman, Mvoto and then added players like K Smith, Kusunga, Philliskirk, Rooney, Lanzoni, Clark Harris, mills, Worrall and harkins etc. All teams in the football league can afford a few good players. The ones that tend to do well keep and add more quality to the ones they already have, but of course that takes money. I just can't see this current cycle changing without more investment. When Sheridan was in charge we had a lot more quality in the squad and I don't think it is a coincidence that we were much higher up the table. I genuinely think there is a good manager in LJ as by all accounts he has a limited squad playing some good stuff. It's a shame we can't afford to give him the resources that would allow us to see what he read can/can't do.

:censored: I typed a long post out on my phone and it deleted. You will never get to experience my fantastic insight I'm afraid;)

Considering we hardly ever won home or away over the last four seasons it's hardly a surprising figure is it.

Don't we average one manager a season over that time... ;)

i predict he will get a lot of criticism if we draw or lose!

I think these manager meetings are really insightful and help to educate us as fans about what really goes on.

Unless we provide a real competitive budget the only way I can see us doing anything is by striking lucky with a first time manager as the only experience that will come here are those with poor records.

There are much worse players than Mellor in the squad that get much less criticism. At the moment Mellor is a good versatile squad player that can hopefully mature into a decent player. Don't understand the constant negativity towards him on here.

I'm not suggesting Mellor is a world beater but for me he is a solid squad player who still has the potential to be a good player. Surprised to see anyone be singled out for criticism after today's game.

From listening to the game it sounded like our best spell followed the subs so find it very strange to see LJ getting criticism.

Really surprised nowhere around the world is showing Liverpool hoping a stream may still pop up last minute

This thread is priceless there really is nothing at OAFC that won't be moaned about.