Lags

2 hours ago, Dave_Og said:

Palace in for a defender from Peterborough for in excess of £15m.  Barnet get half of any fee

If a tenth of that is put into the squad budget on top of normal funding then Barnet will be a big player next season.  Chances are they will be anyway. 

Equally they are paid professionals and if called on they should give their all. Prove their worth to new clubs or Mellon. 

11 minutes ago, League one forever said:

Lags- let me be absolutely crystal clear. The players are and have been a collective shambles. 
 

But you’re confusing siding with them and the reality of the situation. 
 

Mellon is telling us in a myriad of different ways- that he is stuck with these players. He’s bemoaning publicly he can’t move them on. He’s telling us he’s knows what good looks like and the contracted players aren’t that. He’s telling us the squad need an overhaul. 
 

Mellon doesn’t win the games. The players do. If you think that his diatribe will have no effect on current players still needed next season then fine, but I think he has shot himself in the foot. 
 

If this was remotely possible, I wouldn’t have a single problem with what he said. Let’s get rid of 36 players by hook or crook and let him mould it as he sees fit. 
 

But that isn’t the realty is it???? 
 

He has a lot of players, who he has slated but will still need because he can’t sack them all.
 

He doesn’t want them there, but expects them to perform??? Doesn’t make any sense. 
 

 

Look at it from a different angle. Had mellon kept it in house and no one outside the club were non the wiser, these unwanted bad apples get free reign to sit on the sidelines collecting their wedge. Now....everyone knows and there's no hiding if that's what they do.  Yes reality is they can still do that,  they have a contact but when mellon banishes them everyone knows why. 

19 minutes ago, League one forever said:

I’m not important mate. 
 

The players are. If you think some of contracted lads will put a shift in for him next season, and won’t poison the new lads when they’re not playing- then fine. But I think there’s a good chance that both will happen. Time will tell which one of us is right. 
 

Eh? When should a manager ever calibrate fan expectation. He doesn’t decide where we should finish.   The board set the expectation, based on budget- not him. He works to an agreed set of expectations on agreeing his employment. He said on Radio Manchester and other outlets not long after he joined that playoffs was the expected target. He’s failed. 
 

Now he has failed- he calibrating fan expectations. . . nah. He’s making excuses and alienating people. 

I get that- and when people speak passionately it’s not always what you would say on reflection. But, like you said he’s been bubbling away for long time- so it’s not a reaction- he’s been itching to say it. So choose your words very carefully- instead of throwing the board, the players,  and the fans under the bus. The first rule of leadership is personal accountability, not blaming everyone else. 
 

 

He won’t get anywhere near two seasons if he chooses to be raw and alienate. 

You've made your mind up for next season and mellon, that's your perogative. I just hope there's more who will give a clean slate than your stance. 

What I don't understand is that you appear to side with the very bad apple players to disrupt next season like they did this. I'd rather drive them out,  if that means garden leave so be it if they refuse to find another club where they maybe happy.

Lets be perfectly clear,  only 2 managers will be successful next season,  so the odds are stacked in your favour when you state let's see who's right. 

5 hours ago, Dickie Down said:

You wouldn't sign Hart from Sutton. Third relegation from League 2 in five years.

His transfer request is already in. I am an EFL player.

7 minutes ago, TheBigDog said:

I agree that the vitriol has to end. 

The club needs to come out and ask for this to stop and for all fans to get behind the team

 

I’d go further and state that fans who continue the ‘foul-mouthed’ invective are not welcome at the club.

 

Next season we all need to pull together.

100% with that. It's OK to praise the great vocal loyal backing of sections of the crowd and rightly so, but the other side of the seesaw needs the same level of address. I've no problem with groans in the crowd at an easy stray pass but the screwed up faces, screaming, arm waving gesticulation of obscenities at players needs eradicating quickly. Maybe I am just getting old but I do know that really is now a problem at Oldham. 

29 minutes ago, TheBigDog said:

That’s twice you have used that epithet - and we all know it ain’t true.

 

A few may have said it in regard to the numbers who travel away as a percentage of the home numbers but that’s all. 
 

Our fans are no better or worse than the vast majority of teams. 

On the vitriol stakes currently we'll take some licking and that as to stop. Whether like you, fans don't believe Mellon can take us forward, or those like me who still think given his own hand he'll get us up there, we all need to come together next season. Otherwise the toxic atmosphere at BP will only hinder.

Regarding the 'epithet' (yes I google'd it) you refer too, it's been used many a time by many a Latic fan. It's a little sarcastic dig granted that doesn't really empower the point made . 

57 minutes ago, Dave_Og said:

Any player he tries to sign will watch that. It's not a great advert for the club or him.

I very much doubt that interview would trump players testaments of the abuse suffered at the hands of 'the best fans in the league'.

That said,  any prospective player that doesn't believe they have the ability to win at this level need not apply.

Still I see what you're saying. 

1 hour ago, Dave_Og said:

If he'd said what he said in thirty seconds I'd have given him the benefit of the doubt. But to say it will over and over again for nearly fifteen minutes was beyond the pale for me 

He certainly could have told his truth as he see's it in one minute,  then walked down the tunnel.  I very much doubt that would have cut it either. 

1 hour ago, yarddog73 said:

Don't always agree with you Lags and no pun intended but that's about as fair a post as I've seen on the subject, given we are clearly going in to next season with MM in charge it's probably about time the slate was cleaned on all sides and we offer him our backing, there's little to be gained from hoping a manager fails for anyone to prove their point, in fact if that does happen it will undoubtedly be another failed season we'll rack up and surely no fan wants that, I've decided I'm going to renew next season in the hope that DR and MM can clean up some of the mess and give us a team we can all be proud of. Here's hoping.

Emotions have been running high and its never a good time to put down in words in that moment.  No one can agree all the time,  even the closest of mates. However when the dust settles and we think rationally we all know that harmony and mutual backing is the best setting for success. The Athletico's will have a massive part to play at games next season. The rest of us need to support the players 100%.

I knew you'd renew.... its what you do!!

1 hour ago, AndyB2 said:

Bucking the trend is not allowed, sorry we all have to have exactly the same view and identical interpretation of everything 

I know that no worries there brother. Everyone has their opinion, and I'd back anyone to express them. 

2 hours ago, BP1960 said:

 

I've said I don't like his style of play.

In other words he's done nothing for me.

Next season he has a clean slate so hopefully we will see see some better football.

 

OK, Everyone has an opinion. Try to hold that thought more in your last sentence.

Going to buck the tread a little. I liked that Mellon interview, the honesty that we've all seen and worked out for ourselves. The level of abuse and vitriol has to stop if we are to become a promotion outfit and if anyone wants to take issue that smacks of it's any kind of 'fans fault' suck that up. I left very early during the Wealdstone game for 2 reasons, we were going to lose and I didn't want to watch 'the best fans in the league'  spitting feathers. The only way to promotion is the whole club pulling the same direction.

Providing Mellon and DR can talk a good number of players to leave and release the budget for in coming, then Mellon will get us up there next season. He's no mug and his track record for me gives him credence. Of course every manager as a shelf life and times move on, but times not up yet for Mellon. He's the man still currently. 

On 4/24/2024 at 11:26 AM, BP1960 said:

 

And Cheltenham have Nuttall firing..how can that be?

For every one of your Mellon bashing posts that's just made it to be the most lame. I've asked before without joy, what has Mellon done to you?.

1 hour ago, Littlemoor Lad said:

John Robertson was one of my favourite players of that time

Dragged that ball along the touchline, beat his man and whipped in such inviting crosses for striker's to finish off.

Brilliant 

And scored goals. As Brian Clough described him "Give him a ball and a yard of space and he becomes an artist: the Picasso of football" or the other famous quote "we've got a little fat guy who will turn him inside out"

18 hours ago, BP1960 said:

That first half v Halifax was the worst passing I've seen from any team, even at pub level.

Mellon should hang his head in shame at turning out a team like that.

 

You've never liked Mellon, why?. Do you think you'd get a tune out this bunch of fakes.

Well F*** me.  Is it a little too late?. I'll find out when this ferry arrives in Hull tomorrow morning 

That side picked tonight I can't defend MM. OK its a very weak chance of play offs..... but it's an absolute must win. So how many goals between the 11 starters? Below 10?

10 hours ago, Dave_Og said:

 

I think we watched it in a pub Blackfriars Station.  As I recall it barely reached the goalkeeper.

I wonder if the person in the crowd trying to keep the ball blames themselves for having Silva over think it?.

5 minutes ago, BP1960 said:

 

We are forgetting during that good run most home performances were abysmal. That was the real problem not addressed by MM.

Any good points to MM. Asking for a friend

2 minutes ago, AndyB2 said:

I am advocating that you can drop your leading scorer. No more than that. 

Which he has on more than one occasion. In the main,  you play your goalscorer. 

37 minutes ago, AndyB2 said:

So what?

So are you an advocate of not playing your leading goalscorer and penalty taker?. Especially If you've nothing behind better. Come on AndyB2 you've better arguments than that. 

I've waded through this thread, it's took some time!!.

It's clear in that last MM interview, he left the board in no uncertain terms early days that this squad was seriously lacking the required ability for promotion out of the NL. Any OWTB 's users disagree with his verdict?. We can all argue he should even so got a better tune from them.

So, let's start from there. I agree with MM and for me from the first few games under DU I knew this side was poor. It can also now be taken that harsh words had been spoken to certain players by MM that saw players leave on loan and I dare say some who refused. If that resulted in MM losing the backing of some the remaining players who then went on to put in substandard performances they shouldn't be professionals. Self pride should always win through or bloody mindedness to prove MM wrong.

It's absolutely following on failed policy to sack him now. We've done this to death over many many years without success. MM is hurting, the booing and stinging criticism from the fans which he knows is warranted (The criticism not the booing, I'll never ever see the gain in that) and it's hurting him. He knows he told the board what was coming. The trouble is and he also knows it will be the huge cost to remove these players on contracts to make way in any budget he'll need to bring in what he say's "he knows what it needs". With his track record of promotions he's entitled to say that!!. 

The board need to learn the lesson where it's failed since Frank took over. Does Frank have the will to back MM judgement with the big cash it will need after all his investment to date?. It will sure test his will if Season ticket sales flounder. 

I trust MM that he "knows what it needs"

27 minutes ago, LaticsEddie said:

5 assists this season makes him our joint best contributor alongside Green

5 assists is reasonable. Is that enough contribution?

13 minutes ago, Longlostfan said:

I think Milligan looked better than he was because of the players around him. In fact I  was disappointed when he was brought back.

All Milligan had to do was make a tackle and knock it 5 yards to either side of the pitch- 2 fast tricky wingers and two running fullbacks made him look like a match winner.

When Sheron wins a tackle where is his Holden, Adams or Barlow?

Milligan had lost 2 yards of pace on his return due to the injury picked up just prior. That said he was still a dog of war who put his body on the line every game. Henry for me was the better player  but the two complimented each other and were a formidable pair in the middle of the park.