mattsgrandad

.....and potentially lose out on the Bolton game

I think this is a reasonable assumption. However, I cannot see any prospective buyer settling for anything less than the whole package i.e. football club & stadium & the land on which it sits. It then comes down to how much the various parties can agree the valuation and their individual shares.

Just goes to show how things can quickly change. When he arrived it was 'all hail the king' amid much talk of a new CB, midfielder and striker. Two games in - not much had changed (results wise) but we did have a promising new kid on the block albeit on a short term youth loan. Then (seemingly), a light in the darkness with the arrival of the CB in the shape of Mr Gerrard and our first win. Onwards and upwards we thought - now for the much needed striker before the close of the transfer window. Looking good - the sale of an ex player should bring a windfall that will allow us to compete in the market. Alas, not so, Latics had closed that door before it had barely opened and we now have to hope for a win on Saturday or else it's back to the loan market when it re-opens. ​

Have to agree with that. and ... the longer we leave it, the worse it can get. - The number of games left to make up the gap diminishes. - The cashflow gets worse and less money to attract anyone - The players morale worsens ​

If we win on Saturday I suppose he will be vindicated. If we don't ... and more importantly, don't score (again)..... then possibly probably... game over.

But surely, the fact that he has said on a number of occasions that he needs 2 or 3 new players and we are not scoring enough goals is an indication that he feels 'what he has' isn't good enough and we should have brought someone in. I can't help but feel this will add extra pressure to Saturday's game.

It's more likely the fact that Latics have been perhaps dismissive in attempting to negotiate a settlement with Newport. (I'm assuming JS was under contract with Newport). It's probably the usual story with any dispute. One party accuses the other of owing them money (a settlement in lieu of contract termination) and threatens to sue if they don't pay up. The other party ignores the threat and ... lo and behold ... the solicitor's letter drops through the letter box. Yet again, unwelcome publicity that they have brought on themselves through poor judgement.

Obviously - he's building for the future ....... in Division 2

Hard to defend it seeing as the evidence was plastered all over this forum ... and subsequently picked up by the Chron. At least the Tarky sell-on money will help pay off the inevitable fine.

Have to agree with that. The only other thing I would add is that whilst the effort is improving, there seems to be a distinct lack of passion for the 'shirt' - whether that's part of the losing mentality or the short-term contract aspect for some of the players I don't know. Either way I never feel that I'm watching an Oldham team but rather a collection of footballers who just happen to be wearing an Oldham shirt.

Have to admit he was our stand-out player and I can see why Sheridan rates him. Unfortunately the influential players yet again turned out to be our goalkeeper and centre-back. Pity the focus wasn't in this area - we might have managed a clean sheet for once and, coupled with a decent striker, possibly even managed a goal. Division 2 is now a virtual certainty.

My initial reaction to our only (as yet) signing is one of huge disappointment but.... given our circumstances I've got to keep an open mind. The posts on this thread after the Bury game should make interesting reading though.

Absolutely right.... but at the risk of sounding negative (again), it's probably all we can afford.

As I said .... We can speculate all we like.... I just hope it doesn't turn into a 'jobs for the boys scenario' because that's all the budget he's allowed.

Quote from the Chron regarding the choice of assistant manager "Kevin Russell, the Stoke academy coach.......is the man Sheridan wants" Clearly - the fact that he's had to settle for second or even third choice (Peter Shirtliff) illustrates the disconnect between wanting and getting when it comes down to the reality of finance. We can speculate all we like but the reality is the club cannot (or is unwilling to) compete with other clubs for players of any quality.