sloth

Yeah. I couldn't hear booing from where I stood at the opposite end of the ground. I thought we put in a good attacking shift in the first half - a couple of very near misses - I was stood close to the Wimbledon goal. To say we were crap is harsh, but the goal we conceded was a stinker.

Hate the crap viewing for away supporters at Kingsmeadow............so I stayed schtum and snuggled up to the home supporters. Kept very quiet for all the goals. Thought Latices were excellent and a bit unlucky to go in 1-0 down at half time. The second half was pretty much all Latics, and when Wimbledon went ahead after all that Oldham pressure there was disbelief among my fellow spectators. The view seemed to be that we were the better side, although their perception (and they were baffled by it) was that we weren't interested in winning it. A draw would do fine thanks. Might not turn out to be enough but I'd have taken it before the match. As someone who sees Latics rarely, I thought Gardner was immense, and Byrne was his equal in the second half. Didn't think much of Nazon, and then he scored 2 goals. Wonderful player! A gold star too to Edmundson and Hamer. Hope they're regulars next season.

Mike Jones: Very good signing, and Crawley are sorry to see him go - but when you offer reduced wages... As someone has already pointed out, I think he'd prefer to be closer to Merseyside than West Sussex. He's right footed, can play wide (mostly left), but I prefer him in centre mid. He likes to shoot, often from distance, but er they always seem to hit someone!

Crawley resident. Sorry to see Mike Jones go, but he missed the North West. He got terrible stick when he came (from Sheffield Wednesday), and many couldn't understand why Richie Barker played him instead of favourite Sergio Torres. He quietly gets on with it - the players like playing with him, the crowd don't notice him. I like him a lot and think he will be missed at Crawley - great if he signs for Latics though. He works hard, good passer and likes a shot (but doesn't score many).

I'm local, and I know how hard Crawley worked to get this game on. They had fans down at the ground from 6:00am apparently. They were desperate to play it - not least because they have no income any more because they've stopped playing games! Terrible for Carlisle though, and I believe Crawley will be speaking to Carlise on Monday to see what they can do for the away fans. I think the club already has to cover the cost of the Carlisle team's overnight stay. It's almost as if League 1 is waving at a stationary Crawley as they slide down the table - bye bye! The problem with the pitch in these extreme conditions, is that it lies at the bottom of a hill, and the ground is saturated. I'd say the Tranmere match has an even chance of going ahead.

I've seen Kissock twice, but a few years ago when he was with Southport - probably when he was about 20. Low centre of gravity (!), very busy, and from the oppositions point of view, a pain the neck I should think. He was a stand out player at Conference level, and I'm a bit surprised he hasn't made much progress. Why has he been training with Latics, when he's been contracted to Macc? Has he been a naughty boy?

Apparently, Turner has recently been out of County's side with a hamstring injury.

I contacted Crawley today, and they're keen to repeat the 28 minutes applause in memory of Ernie. I believe they're putting a bit in the programme about him too.

Oops. Ernie played for Crawley in the Southern League (Doc Martin's) not the Conference - the year before the prolific Charlie Mac joined.

Looking forward to this one - one of my few Latics games. The others will be Gills, Brentford and Orient - and Boundary Park when Crawley come up. I live 5 minutes from the ground, and enjoy watching live football, so I see Crawley a lot,but this is the only one at the Broadfield (er sorry, Check a Trade Stadium) where I'll be in the away end rooting for Latics. A surreal experience I can tell you. Crawley are awkward at home at the moment and have shipped too many goals - they look a different proposition away. If you're actually arriving at the ground, as opposed to walking from the station, I'd recommend the Redz bar at the back of the far end (Bruce Winfield Stand). Away supporters are welcome, you can watch the early match on Sky, and the beer's reasonable - by South East standards anyway. Carlsberg is £3, with San Miguel 30p more. I look forward to seeing you all on the day, and hope to see the Ernie Cooksey flag - Ernie is fondly remembered down here where he played left back when Crawley were in the Conference.

Don't disagree with much on this thread. As someone who usually supports Crawley, standing in the Oldham end, I thought the singing was great - trouble is, the acoustics are such that whichever end is singing, it doesn't reverberate round the ground. Oldham seemed to have loads of different songs, and the thing I liked most was that they didn't revolve about slagging off the opposition team/ground/fans. The exception of course was the baiting of Adams who took it all in good part. All Crawleys chants seem to be less about encouraging their team, more about being rude about their opponents unfortunately. You have to remember that Crawley are trying to catch up groundwise - e.g. the temp covered stand and the ticket arrangements. Essentailly it's a decent non league ground. Personally, when I've been to away matches (just about every other week) they have similar arrangements for tickets - just not in a portakabin. On the game, I thought Latics fully deserved their lead, and that seemed to wake Crawley up. It looked as if Bouzadis' goal led a charmed life in the last 10 minutes as they defended deep. I'd only seen 3 of the Latics team before (Croft, Furman and M'voto). I was impressed by Grounds who kept Adams quieter than he normally is, and Tarkowski as well as Bouzadis and Simpson. I really like Derbyshire too - reminds me of Matt Tubbs (big hero at Crawley) who is languishing on the Bournemouth bench at the moment. Anyway, a very good point earned, long may the good form continue....

Not officially no. Just the Crawley fans who think it would be appropriate. I gather something similar took place up at Hartlepool last weekend and both sets of fans took part (nothing to do with Ernie). I take the point about the exact timing though because who knows what will be happening at 28 minutes. Maybe we should all play it by ear.

There is to be an applause for Ernie at 3:28 on Saturday at the Broadfield. The timing is because Ernie was 28 when he died. Please pass it on. Cheers

OK Flemboy, I own up, it was me. Maybe see you on Saturday.

As a Crawley resident and Oldham supporter I'm really looking forward to this. As Latics are 250 miles away,I support my local team and go to around 75% of matches home and away, but this weekend my mates are disgusted that I'll be in the away end. I've been watching them since they were in the Southern League - never thought I'd see them play Latics in the league. The ground is 15 years old and Council owned. It has the smallest capacity (just under 6k) but they tend to average 3k. It was pretty much three sided until a covered temp stand was erected opposite the main stand. The pitch is poor - cuts up with loads of divots, and the fans are quiet - except when they're away from home. Away fans are welcome at the Redz Bar at the ground, otherwise the Half Moon on Brighton Road. Expectations this year - low, just stay in the division. Crawley's defence at home is like a cullender, and the strikers haven't scored for weeks - although the rest of the team have made up for them. Nevertheless, 4th ain't bad. Up to last night, I thought Oldham were looking good for an upset, but I'm sure they'll shake that defeat off. Connections? Danny Hall was with them a couple of years back, and Crawley fans have fond memories of Ernie. Will the flag be there?

Famous in non league circles for its' food. Great soups, curries and the aforementioned most expensive £4 pies - all home made. No chips as I recall.

Crawley? That's news to me down here in West Sussex. Not a whisper.

I'm not sure Crawley will field a first X1 against the Angels, but at the moment it's their first pre season friendly, so you never know. I might even go myself.

Just a reminder that some of the players metaphorically being shown the door by you guys are under contract beyond the end of this season. By my reckoning those contracted beyond 2008 are - in no particular order Eardley 2010 Lomax 2011 Gregan 2009 Thompson 2009 Hazell 2009 Taylor 2009??? Can anyone confirm this one? Kalala 2009 Allott 2009 Hughes 2009 Davies 2009 Wolfenden 2009 Black 2010

Absolutely SPOT ON!

Yes, I missed out Lomax. I think he needs games - badly. If Shez doesn't play him after the Everton display and brings in another loanee, then I think he'll release him come June. I'd definately retain - but then, I'm not a football manager!

I know Shez is very much focused on transfer window signings, but now is also the time to review who he wants to stay for next season. By my reckoning we have 11 players out of contract in the Summer. They are: Pogs, Crossley, Stam, Trotman, Lomax, Liddell, MacDonald, Smalley, Kelly, Alessandra, Wolfenden. We don't have a recent good record of retaining out of contract players, so if there are some/all that still interest him, he should get talks underway sooner rather than later. My view is - Pogs - release. Crossley - retain as goalkeeping coach and player but remit is to leek for a long term replacement. Stam - depends on whether he keeps doing it until the end of the season, which is at odds with talking about contract extensions now. I'd wait on Stam. Trotman - sort an extension NOW! Liddell - either release or retain on an appearance based contract. MacDonald - retain. Smalley - retain. He's not there yet, and needs more time to develop. I'd give him another year. Kelly - no idea - anyone? Alessandra - retain - same as Smalley. Wolfy - I'd retain, for the same reasons as Smalley, but I think it may be his last year with us. He needs pitch time - the sooner the better. What do you think?

My heart sank when I saw this -and that's with the knowledge that he'd had a serious heart attack. If there's one thing certain in life - it's death. Bert was an absolute gem, and I'm not sure we all realised it when he left for Spotland. Least of all our manager Les McDowell who Bert (allegedly) had crossed swords with at Citeh. RIP Bert. Bloody Hell, I'm in tears.

Hope this is OK................. Name? Keith Lawless Location? Crawley How Long Supporting the Tics? The Tics?!!!!!!!! 40 years Best away match you've been to? this season at Gillingham All Time Greatest Player? Bert Lister Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? Would be Rochdale or Bury if they were in our league