Hands on

Faith is a wonderful thing but to keep it one has to be blind - the God delusion and all that... 2016 has been good apart from our football passion. 2017? If there is a God we need his intervention. Happy non footballing New Year

There is no money.... There is no money.... Any and I mean any offers will be gratefully received and the target on their way.

Isn't it simply that we defend as a team trying to keep a defensive shape all the time. Yes anyone can defend with 11 players but without risk, without committing men forward you can't score.

It could just be that the "threatening and abusive tweet aimed at the Oldham Athletic manager Stephen Robinson’s family" is the final straw and Robinson can't see beyond the Fleetwood game because he doesn't want to be here any more.

It could just be that the "threatening and abusive tweet aimed at the Oldham Athletic manager Stephen Robinson’s family" is the final straw and Robinson can't see beyond the Fleetwood game because he doesn't want to be here any more.

It isn't true that we don't create chances otherwise how have we seen so many easy chances missed?

My prediction is that this month will see an end to the desire to finish in 20th place in league 1 with Simon finding the money to avoid administration but settling for 20th place in league 2 next year. Sad times.

Well Latics will wait until after Port Vale. Two wins and all will be different. Two more losses and same old same old. We should start finding out who we are going to lose but I suspect 'getting rid' of those we don't like is going to be a problem. I'm happy with goals conceded so the priority for me is two strikers and a proper holding midfielder who can also pass the ball. January is the last chance saloon with a break for the FA cup so lets hope to see some action before the Gillingham game.

The days of large fees are gone as the Premiership supports youth teams in return for fixed price buy outs which then increase with appearances. Much is said about our team but those players who most want to see the back of did create enough chances for us to win the Boxing Day game. The problem is the failure to score. Robinson is right when he bemoans the lack of a Billy Sharp. He wouldn't make us play off material but a striker of his ability would secure our place in this league. Where Robinson has disappointed me is that in knowing he does not have a Billy Sharp he is trying the Northern Ireland way with a group of players who can't do it for 90 minutes - 72 Yesterday. He has therefore if a Billy Sharp is not going to join the squad in January find the players who can do it for 90 minutes (unlikely) or change the way he sets up the team and find the players to help him do that. The bottom line is therefore to get the team to score more goals than it concedes or we go down.

It rather looks like maddog might have a different division next year. I go with my son and have for 26 years since my work moved me to Oldham. I qualify for the concession next year and I was planning to go to every home and away match. My resolve is weakening but I'm sure we will both renew if only for the drinks before and after. On the question of supporting the team at every home and away game; the prospect of league 2 and all those southern clubs when linked with the dire performances makes this unlikely. January will be an 'interesting' test for me given that we have four home games.

I rather like the idea of holding up white flags to represent surrender. As the team doesn't appear to be up for the fight most of the time we could send them a bucket of white feathers.

If Ripley is recalled/released we are well and truly stuffed and this is just an academic exercise. Our lowish number of goals against, with a generally poor midfield suggests we should be looking higher up the pitch for changes so we should keep Burgess and Dunne (unless in the unlikely event Robinson finds better replacements). Players who can't last the full 90 minutes should not be in the squad. Croft should start and be left to blow - he certainly has more stamina than Bambi and he seems to care. There is a player in Ladapo but not I sense one who will do much good for us in a relegation battle. He is not an old fashioned centre forward needing the ball to feet. No point keeping him given the way we play.

Gave up the idea of attending the Boxing Game match as I usually do some time ago. If Robbo is asking for consistency I applaud anyone that goes and hope it works for you. I shall walk the dog to the Crosskeys which has neither tv nor EE reception.

I think everyone is being a little unfair. Now that Robbo has identified the problem, lack of consistency, and brought the lads in yesterday to rectify it everything will be alright. We are going to ape Chelsea and win the next 11 games. Panic over.

The reason why I felt deflated yesterday was the thought of four home games in January whilst watching and waiting for the changes in the squad that are obviously needed. I have never left the ground before the final whistle. I accept our current problems are not helped by the £200 season ticket card I carry in my wallet. I'm a football supporter because I pay to see my team play but I am also a consumer and expect to be entertained. I've stopped going to the odd away match and I can see myself heeding the quiet voice in my head that is asking me why I am putting myself through this torture when I can pop down the road and watch Mossley instead.

They can't play three games in a week after a break of a fortnight and we have a fitness coach.

I know Burgess couldn't find a pass and Banks dithered but enough chances and attacks were started to have made winning possible. It is just that it all comes to nothing. A superb cross from Winchester just begging to be converted but after that run he looked like he was playing extra time - our two best players on the day are not fit enough to start. I can't stand much more of this! Four home games in January!

Corney may have found money in the past but I can't see him finding enough money to change managers and then strengthen the team - he can't find the money to finish the 'great white elephant'. As we would all like to see some player movement in January I suggest the least worse option is to let this team do the changing. Of course I am somewhat biased in this choice because although I think Simon Corney has held us together through difficult times I do now think it is time he rather than the manager moved on. The only way I can see this happening is with the realism of relegation so there is no buffer should administration follow - what is it all worth if we are in the National league.

Misty in Saddleworth. Fog due later. Ironic if we go in front and the game is called off.

As I understand it Middlesborough can recall Ripley during the January window if the loan agreement includes a recall clause. Otherwise they could recall him now, because he is a goalkeeper, if they have less than two of their other first team goalkeepers fit at any time during the agreement. Finally they can recall him by mutual consent i.e. they offer us three pence half penny and we take the money. Let us hope he stays for the Mansfield game and after winning that wants to stay with us. He would be better staying with us rather than sitting on a bench somewhere unless he is recalled to be sold on. He will have been watched and I can see Middlesborough getting some very tempting offers come January. Why worry - at least we have him for the next three easy fixtures!

Well we did progress up the league - one place at a time will do. Realisation that a home game, the one in eight after the 'frozen' pitch debacle, and I have a season card. August was good and then came September, October wasn't so bad but then came November, December has seen our worst display for years. January could be suicidal with four home games if the transfer embargo remains in place. Always look on th..............................

Palmer1 is right Winchester is no worse than the rest. His problem however is that we all know there is a player in there - the one we saw during the reign of 'little :censored:' - but where or where has it gone and why can't he sort out his stamina issues. All our current midfield players have had some good games but mostly they are not flourishing in the concede fewer directive they are currently collectively failing under.

I suppose Dummigan is a case in point. A player lacking fitness when he arrived but who has peaked and gone backwards. Pep is having problems at City because it takes the really good players he had at Barcelona and Bayern to play in the attacking style he wants. With the two red cards last time out he just doesn't have the players who are good enough to do what he wants and gets thrashed by Leicester. Robbo wants our players week in week out to put in Northern Ireland style performances. But our players are not as good, they aren't playing for their country so although it may have worked for a couple of games it can not be sustained. He has to find another way which must include scoring more goals than the opposition rather than conceding fewer.

Ah Kelly that useless player who few defended whereas Winchester the useless player that many defend no doubt because he is the ultimate professional footballer

Some of us are having another Winchester love in.