Hemel latic

Stevenage gained consecutive promotions in 9/10 and 10/11 and Bristol Rovers in 14/15 and 15/16. Tranmere too, 17/18 and 18/19. That wasn't a great "fact" was it!? But that's 3/20 that have achieved consecutive promotions out of the NL and L2 in the last 10 seasons which shows it's not the norm. Maybe worth noting all three of the clubs that achieved the consecutive promotions were subsequently relegated back to L2, although Stevenage and Bristol Rovers are both back in L1.

That's a myth I'm afraid, very few teams achieve double promotion from NL, through L2 to L1 in consecutive seasons. Notts County and Wrexham might do it this season, but it was pretty clear last season they were outstanding teams and they've largely been able to improve on their squads on promotion, although County did lose Reuben Rodrigues. Teams do go to get the double promotion but they normally need a season or more of consolidation in L2: Orient, Forest Green and Lincoln in recent seasons, perhaps Stockport this season.

Our next opponents, Woking, have sacked their manager Darren Sarll.

Jonathan Grounds

Feels like an age since we last played in the league, three points would do very nicely. How do we line up in the absence of Sheron? Back to the 4-1-4-1 or is that considered too defensive for a home game?

Am I right in thinking Mellon was approached to apply/take the job by Darren Royle?

Can someone who's going ask what's happening with the B team? Not for me, it's for a friend.

Sheron yes, Norwood no. Norwood has already served a one match suspension for accumulating five bookings. It was the 2-0 win against York which gives us a 100% record this season without Norwood in the match day squad.

It's always worth a reminder he is the current Player's Player of the Year. He has never been dropped since he signed, he's played more games than any other Oldham player since he signed.. He has played CB, RB and CM, wherever he's been needed. Great clubman, good player too.

It seems a certainty doesn't it that one of the strikers will go out on loan, Willoughby the obvious candidate.

We're crying out for a foot on the ball centre mid with a good range of passing and ability to tackle, many have said it, surely MM and Brabin can see it. Pretty sure signing just that one player could transform us from play off contenders to certainties. I like it that he's taking his time to evaluate the squad and I also think he'll take his time to get the right player. Despite the up and largely down nature of this season so far I still see real grounds for optimism for the season ahead. Perhaps we'll have a shiny new signing for meet the manager tomorrow?

That's alright James, good to see you belatedly show some passion for the club. Perhaps you could throw in a goal celebration next time you score?

Is it too early to get on the Chukwugbo choo-choo? Get him and Forshaw up top, Kofi Moore and Alfie Atherton supplying the ammo, play offs here we come.

Thanks, that's a shame in that he'll miss a league game instead but improves our chances for the cup tie.

Pretty sure Sheron is suspended after 5 bookings in the league. I hope we take it seriously, Mellon is evaluating the squad, building his style of play so it's a good opportunity. We don't win enough games to mess around and there's good prize money and potentially TV money. Play the strongest side available.

OK, the paper mills closed in 1981. They seem to prefer to be known as Cray Valley (PM), the "Paper Mills" in full perhaps revived for the, clears throat, magic of the FA Cup.

Don't know Monty, although I do know the Met Police team, who play at a decent standard, don't feature any cops.

I notice Jordan Windass has dropped off the list.

I saw this on twitter, great stuff, glad the family enjoyed themselves.

It probably is fair to say that Rugby Union players are generally better at influencing the ref and it is done in a respectful way. It's wrong to say they don't exaggerate perceived foul play to win penalties, they clearly do. But they definitely don't spit their dummy and subject referee's to foul mouthed tirades like you see (and hear) in football,

Norwood was suspended for the home win against York City (hang on...). His discipline has been much better since his suspension although this is mirrored throughout the whole team and may reflect referees cooling off a little in respect of cards. There's a range of views on this but I think his body language is appalling for a senior pro. I don't know any walk of life where berating and disrespecting someone in the way some players, including Norwood, behave towards referees will win you any favours. Get the ref onside, butter them up, have a chat. That's when you'll get the benefit of the doubt.

We're four points off the play offs. If we've appointed the right manager, and I think the vast majority of us believe we have at this stage, we should improve over the remainder of the season which will see us into the play offs. There isn't that much wrong with the squad and again, I think we all believe that with a couple of astute signings it'll be pretty much on the money, in terms of getting into the play offs. I like the way Mellon is going about it. He's assessing the current squad and he's not made the mistake Unsworth made of criticising the current squad, although you could see the interview at the weekend as veiled criticism. We don't want panic buys. They just fill the squad up and then have to be moved on. I reckon he's taking his time and that we will see two or three signings in the coming weeks that will improve the team. MM seemed genuinely impressed with Matt Hudson in his interview and tbf, apart from distribution he hasn't done much wrong and has made many impressive saves. Don't know if Steve Thompson or Steve Collis was responsible for his signing but to have two competent keepers on the books at this level is a real plus, and Hudson is someone who we might sell on, wouldn't be surprised to see him offered improved terms.

Worst celebrity squares ever. Always liked to see Willie Rushton top right.

I guess that's the long term vision? Short term, match fitness isn't important. Given RB has been a problem for at least 18 months, if not longer, it's important that we sign the right player on a two year contract to solve the problem.

If there's any budget for any new signings I don't expect MM to rush into anything, particularly given his three year contract, here for the long haul. Also, not sure what state our scouting network is in given the departure of ST. Having said that I'm pretty sure MM will have kept his eye in and between him and Brabin they must have quite a network at our level. But again, fully expect them to do due diligence before bringing anyone in.