Crusoe

I turn 33 in two weeks' time. I get married in ten weeks' time. Then I have two weeks off on honeymoon, then back to work to save up for a mammoth trip to Australia (third time there) and China in the spring. Fairly uneventful I guess

A 34-year-old striker who managed 5 goals this season? Not convinced he's what we need at all.

Kelly Halle Fleming Barrett Irwin Holden Henry Carss Eyres Ritchie Warne subs: Gerrard Jobson Palmer Makin

He bailed because he didn't want to pick up an injury if he was going to be out of contract at the end of the season (and, presumably, either Sheridan didn't offer him one or they couldn't agree on one). Eminently sensible career decision, I'd say (although I'm not quite sure why he's since played a game for Hull City in that case).

Ah right, missed the still playing bit. Carry on!

Or Chris Makin?

Why no Paul Bernard or Nick Henry?

oh, add me to the list for Boys in Blue - I have the Roger Rap now but still lacking the former...

Hmm. I don't think I like any of them. Normally I'd be ABU, but I don't like Chelsea's football or many of their players, and I don't like the attitude of some Liverpool fans. Barcelona I just don't care about either way - another rich club in the world. Man Utd are the most entertaining to watch so I'm a bit stuck, really. Probably I'd lean towards Barcelona, but if Man Utd won an entertaining final it wouldn't be the end of the world for me.

Spartacus.

- Wayne Harrison - David Brown - Scott Spencer - Danny Philliskirk (early days, but he didn't make much of an impact on their youth cup run) I agree with the posters who've said that we're not in a position to the same risks as bigger clubs. Take the money now rather than risk him disappearing into obscurity and us losing out on a sadly necessary payday.

You won't lose your bookmarks, but I wouldn't rush into version 3 yet. It's still a beta (not fully tested) release, with the final version due out later this year. It should work fine but they can't guarantee it, and some of your extensions may not be compatible. The new version is supposed to be much faster though, which should be good.

Heh, well put (and nearly but not quite with the reference - Crusoe Takes A Trip by Red Snapper).

I think some of our poor individual performances also reflect the lack of strength in depth. Players rushed back from injury, players clearly not on form, players without backups to challenge them for a place. I can see Eardley suffering from the same problem that got to McNiven - a lack of anyone better to keep him on his toes or to cover for him in case of a loss of form.

BFJ - while I don't disagree with the underlying sentiment, unless we have more strength in depth (and bear in mind the costs that involves), I don't think there'll be much of a reduction in loan signings. Other than Bertrand and Kilkenny, and arguably Jarrett, our loan signings have been to cover a lack of strength in depth or cover for key positions. I think loans are a fact of life for clubs with our budget.

Ah, good question, but I'm really not sure. I'd wait to see who gets released and cherry-pick that lot. As for spending cash money on a transfer fee, only for the central midfielder and possibly a winger (as they'd both be first choice) - the rest could be released players (like Hazell last year). I know a few names have been thrown around but I'm torn as to whether to settle for the first that comes to mind and is available, or to wait for exactly the right player.

I don't know. Being to name replacements would mean understanding: - Who's available. - Who Sheridan wants. - How much money their club wants. - What package the player or their agent wants. - Whether they'd fit in the culture/dressing room atmosphere here. - Whether they and their family want to move to Oldham. - Whether they want to come here. Short answer: I'd love to see players who would improve our squad, but I've no idea realistically of exactly who could fill those roles.

As for team for next season, again using what I'd like vs what's realistic: Would like Crossley/GK TBD Eardley Lomax/DL TBD Hazell Gregan/DC TBD Taylor MC TBD Allott ML TBD Davies Hughes Crossley/GK TBD Gregan/DC TBD/Black McDonald/Kalala Smalley/Liddell Alessandra/FC TBD Realistic Crossley Eardley Lomax Hazell Gregan Smalley/Taylor Allott MC TBD Taylor/ML TBD Davies Hughes GK TBD Black/DC TBD McDonald/Kalala Liddell Alessandra/FC TBD

Quantity and quality, you lucky people

Really? Maybe I've been lucky, it works with everything I use (including Outlook Web Access). I'd also argue that it's the websites not working with Firefox rather than the other way round (too many were built to only work with IE, which until the next version isn't a well-designed or standards-compliant browser), but I know that's no help when you need something to work.

Not that I know of, why, are we saying the same things?

My tuppence-worth on the state of our squad. Assumptions: we're still in this division next season, and none of our better players get snapped up in the summer (possible, but not something I can predict). I'm sure theres plenty to disagree with in here... Goalkeepers Crossley will get another year, I reckon, as a goalkeeper/coach. If he left Sheridan would have to find two new goalkeepers and get them settled in (and we've seen that it can take a while to get a settled team). I've not seen Bell play but wouldn't be surprised if he moved on to be replaced with a new sub keeper (or even a new first choice, with Crossley moving to a sub/coach role). On the other hand, Bell and Ollerenshaw could share reserve and youth duties. Defence Fine at right back (Eardley, Lomax, Hazell). Weaker at left back (Lomax, Stam I suspect could leave). Black looks good but Sheridan may want more strength in depth so he's not expected to play too many games too young. Definitely need another centre back even if Thompson stays (which I'm not keen on, but he's contracted and kicking him out may be a costly option). We've got six experienced defenders (including Lomax) and Black as an up-and-coming player; I think we need to plan for at least two being injured at any one time (Stam and Gregan, for example). I like Stam but a combination of injury record and the odd dodgy game may see him leave. While I wouldn't want to see Thompson leave just out of spite the jury is still out (not even in the same bloody court room). Midfield Move Taylor to his proper position and get somebody in on the other side. Liddell may be a creative force and an experienced head under pressure but I would still rather see someone with pace and trickery on the wing to pressure opposition defences into mistakes (kind of Beckham vs Bentley/Wright-Phillips). If we don't sign any wingers I'd expect it to be Taylor and Smalley (Liddell on the bench). Allott's been a star man but needs a creative player alongside him and a defensive player for backs-to-the-wall games. I was hoping Kalala could be the latter but he's not shown it consistently enough so far; he's under contract so I'm not sure he'll be leaving, but I think he'll be a squad player. McDonald I like but I'm not sure what it is he does best, so perhaps another squad player. It may be slightly controversial but I'm not convinced that signing Jarrett and/or Livermore is the answer; neither is the creative linchpin nor the defensive rock that I think we need. Both would be high-class squad players. I also think that if Sheridan was serious about Livermore he'd have offered him something already or given enough assurances that Livermore's loan wouldn't have ended. For some reason I'm also not convinced Jarrett is mad keen on signing permanently (something in his interview after signing on loan gave me the impression that he's hoping this spell will put him in the shop window for another Championship club). Forwards Davies and Hughes will be first-choice, with Alessandra on the bench (at least until one of the first two gets injured or has a bad run of form). Assuming he signs a new deal (I'd be amazed if he hasn't been offered one) Smalley will be another backup. Wolfenden's under contract but I could see him let go or offered out on loan; I think his time is up and we need a more proven striker, not another fairly-promising-but-not-there-yet youngster. Signings What I'd like: new keeper (sub or first-choice); new centre-back/utility defender to replace Stam; new centre-back/utility defender to replace Thompson; utility full-back (utility is important to give us the ability to rotate with Eardley, Lomax and Black for injuries, rests, etc); creative central midfielder; defensive midfielder; two wingers; decent striker. This would mean clearing out Stam, Thompson, Kalala, Wolfenden, probably Kelly and Pearson too. What I think is realistic: new keeper; new centre-back/utility defender; creative central midfielder; striker. Thompson and Kalala to stay; Stam I really don't know; Wolfenden to leave or being loaned out.

Out of contract: Crossley Stam McDonald Pearson Liddell Kelly Smalley Lomax signed a three-year deal so he's staying.

Cheers LL, message sent.

Bumping this - anyone have both the Roger Rap and Boys In Blue?