Twisbrogan

I think more relevant than last night's gate is what we can pull in for the next game against Wycombe. I think the family festival is a cracking idea that the club should be applauded for and everyone (including the stay-aways) should seriously consider turning up - even just to show that such initiatives are welcome and will get the required result.

Although it must be getting on for 25 years ago, I think I'm only justing coming down from experiencing the 3-2 win at Shrewsbury via Piccadilly Radio. (R Palmer x 3, 2-0 down at HT) with the winner in injury time after we'd missed a pen. Even my internet browsing history hasn't seen anyone bouncing round a bedroom more than I was that afternoon.

Big shame for Diallo as he'd shown some promise but Black is hoping to be back for the reserves this week. Mellor looks like he could get a few games now though.

Obviously a decent performance, a goal in the Chaddy End ( ) and a goalkeeper trotting around his area like Bambi helps but I thought there was a half decent atmosphere in the Chaddy tonight. Really enjoyed it. The rest of you can stay away in knowledge that you've been jinxing us.

Of course, the finest "It's a goal" (other than those when Latics scored) were those announcing goals by John Thomas when he played for Bolton, as James H tried to lever as many nob gags as he could into a Saturday afternoon show.

An aspect of Twitter that really hacks me off is the use of including direct addressing (@playersname) to go into a rant about their performance. It's an optional social network that player's can use to interact with supporters, giving an insight into what how they're getting along in training; what happens on long away trips how injuries are coming along, etc. Using it to have a go or to demand explanations for performances is, in my opinion, an abuse that could only serve to stop people using it - which would be a shame. Where these networks exist, they work best when etiquette is used which generally involves not addressing abuse at individuals of the ilk of players of footballs teams that you supposedly support. If a player hasn't played well, and you feel that Twitter needs to know why not just use their normal name? Why use their twitter address? Besides, if you want to direct abuse at people who deserve it, Piers Morgan has set up an avcount for that very purpose.

From my perspective, it's not apathy, just the fact that I wasn't there so don't feel qualified to comment. This, added to the fact that I don't like to read about a deafeat whilst they're still raw. There are cats to be kicked and kids to be shouted at before level-headed analysis can be given.

I agree with Latics Pete. I felt Individual mistakes and some below par performances were to blame rather than anything deeper and I genially think that kind of inconsistency is to be expected from young, inexperienced players. How they react next week, will be interesting and will probably determine how we fare over the next month or two (i.e. how far their heads will drop after today)

He waved at the owl! Twice! There are other threads to discuss the game (end of a good run - we'll have another) but sometimes other events can make your own personal recollections of a game much better than everyone else's. I, personally, have fonder memories of a 0-2 defeat at Bournemouth and 0-3 at home to West Brom (because I was laughing like a drain), than I do our first home game in the Premiership. Today was probably his first such game. After the usual anxiety, an intervention by Lisa (who runs Chaddy's Gang amongst other things) lead to some mutual waves being exchange between F and Chaddy. She and her daughter, went out of her way to make him feel better and it really made his day. To say he is made up is an understatement. He's told everyone about today's events and to hear him you'd think we'd won 4 points. Kids being kids, he may well be a little edgy again at his next match (MK Dons on a school night...hmmm, I'll think about it) but to hear him say during our half time kick about that he was looking out for Chaddy to wave to him, rather than to run away - was great. He obviously now knows that he can feel OK when Chaddy's around and it's like a weight off him. There are some top people at our club.

It'll be the same one that played the second half last week. Lee, Diamond, M'Voto & Clarke I may have gone along with yours but I think the ones who have the shirts, in a winning team, are most likely to keep them.

Keeps her on her toes.

Much appreciated and thanks for making the connection to child! I really wouldn't like to debase the forum with such matters. To me, it's the home of intellectual comment and maturity on the internet. I, personally, would also find this degrading to a thread which I opened. That said, I noticed that the popular beat combo, JLS each have their own stylised pack of condoms so rather than going the obvious route of an owl topped French Letter with 'We Are Latics' stamped down the side then surely a pack of three with an individual player's photo and relevant sheath slogan would be a winner. There can't be a girl in the borough who wouldn't be thrilled that the special man in her life has spent his hard earned on a box of 'Shefti's shafters' or 'Reidy's rubbers'. Even those who did their courting when Jimmy Hill was still on Match of the Day could get involved by taking the Stannah lift up to their front bedrooms re-igniting old passions by cracking open some 'Rodger Wylde (Classics)'.

If the OS didn't mention Him as much, I'd end up having to talk about Him to the current wife. No doubt this would lead to confusion, followed by an argument, followed by me stamping my feet on the floor shouting "You don't understand me and my things". He's brought a buzz to the place so I think they need to ride it for all it's worth.

5-3. Only 4 goals will be shown on telly and none of our goals will be scored at the Chaddy End.

Tough one but I think I read somewhere (could have been on the official site) that there's an oft forgotten rule that if your parents were born there (or three of your grandparents) then you're in. I also heard that Judaism may have adopted this model from OAFC but, don't quote me. I'm not handing out history lectures here. Of course, it would be mean to tell young Bury (You did call him that didn't you?) that he needs to fight harder for your affections. A long term programme involving going to Latics, getting half time brews, stumping up spends for Strike It Lucky tickets, etc is NOT something I would advocate. I showed my son the picture of the unmasked Chaddy this morning (props to Diego_Sideburns - good find!) and it may be something that eases him a little but, of course, time will tell.

Just to pick up on us beating poor teams, in the matches immediately following ours Stevenage walloped Sheff Wed; Walsall were on course to beat Scunthorpe only to concede a last minute equaliser and, by the sounds of it, Orient put up a half decent showing last night against B****** Rovers. I think there are a few more than 4 teams worse than us and providing we can stay clear of injuries, there's more to come.

I have an intuition about these things and it's starting to look like my thread may be veering off topic. However, for the record, Mr Tumble is ace and it's only with moderate embarrassment that I'll declare that I once watched an entire episode of Gigglebiz....without the kids even being in the house at the time. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/03/meeting-mr-tumble-justin-fletcher **Bows head. Gets coat. Walks out of the door**

Thanks for the replies. Without wishing to find comfort at the thought of children recoiling in horror when Chaddy appears, it's good to know that there are at least a few others that have been through the same - I hope their night screams are dulled these days. It's true that all of these oversized beings have a similar effect. Seeing Billy Bear at Butlins caused hysterics and there was also a recent incident with Mr Tumble (CBeebies stalwart - not strictly as much of a costume but was enough to trigger 'flight' mode). It had crossed my mind to see if it was possible to see the costume 'at rest' and he himself has mentioned that without the head, he'd be OK but I'm not convinced - in fact, it just sounds weird. Most likely the problem is me. His reaction is probably typical when seeing these things in formative years and sitting in the middle of a block is the was to go. Being honest, I wanted to meet Mr Tumble and I want my picture with Chaddy at the Boundary Blues Christmas Party. I'm 39.

Without wishing to turn the forum into Mumsnet, is anyone else's kid scared of Chaddy Owl? Mine is and it's tearing us apart. My son is 5 and we have season tickets for the Chaddy End. Soon after he started school, a few of his new friends had declared themselves as City or United fans so, blind to the pain that I'd suffered since my first match 31 years ago, I chose to sit him in the Chaddy End to tell him "See that hospital? I was born there. You were born there. THIS is our team" Together, we did about 10 games last season and all go them this. He's now football potty, would live in his Latics strip if he could and loves the vast majority of our afternoons at BP. From watching the warm up; having a small kick about at half time through to laughing at "I'm a bastard" and practising his Shefki dive when we get home - he's as keen as any child could be at that age. However, he is terrified of that owl. He tries to sit in the middle of a row so that Chaddy can't get to him. He doesn't take his eyes off him whenever he's in view - just in case he makes an approach - and constantly asks for reassurance that it's just a man dressed up. He started football training this week on Clayton Playing fields and wanted promises that Chaddy wouldn't turn up. I, on the other hand, am very much in the 'fan' camp and I can it bothers me that he's not getting the most from these "I'm in Chaddy's Gang" years. He does have previous in terms of being scared of other 'characters' (Disneyland would be his worst nightmare) but as far as I can see all the other kids are crazy for him. Are there any others that react in this way? If so, can we sit them together to discuss their 'issues' so that I can go and give that big bird a high five?

I think he's brought an air of confidence to the rest of the team whenever he's played. Three in three including today's effort (one goal and two assists - according to the BBC live text) isn't too shabby either.

In all this light-headed giddiness, I've just set up a standing order commencing 1st October. The kids will just have to do bar work should they ever attend university.

I'd be more than happy if Reid gets 20 goals this season and they're all penalties. What's that? Another one? Oh, yes please!

Does it really matter? As with our support, they don't have a lot and I'm sure they're grateful for what they have. I'm sure many clubs would have taken more than us to Scunthorpe midweek.

I think Clarke who is signing on loan from Huddersfield today will just go straight in, mostly for his experience.

More Oldham chatter from Scholes, eh? Give him a few weeks before he realises that he'll be a long time retired and he'll be turning up at BP with his boots.