Boys in Blue

If we'd have got a decent manager in after Johnson left we'd not be too far off playoffs now. Seems the board assumed we'd tail off without thinking that we had a chance of the playoffs. I know he inherited injuries but I'm sure that a new manager & the chance to go up would've got a few players motivated to get back sooner. Holden never the answer but tried his best. Just hope board see that. Players can't be too keen either or they would've put in a shift yesterday. We only done well where players are self-motivated against sides in playoffs and Dale. Don't think that's Holden.

Would happily have Dowie back

Cheers for that Rob. Mills Wilson & Wilson (pretty sure we have an option on James Wilson) Dieng Jones Winchester Kelly Philliskirk Forte (surely the club will take option) Coleman Rhys Murphy That's cheered me up a bit. A few good players in there. Don't think Holden will have enough sway to convince Elokobi but that's a good start

There's probably a thread for this already but which of the current squad are signed up for next year. Short term appointment hardly convinces players to sign extensions so we'll lose a few. Just not sure who will still be around.

Wasn't a great match because Orient had done their homework and were really well set up to frustrate us- a sign that we are a good side. Despite all that, we had a lot of players with know-how and skill to win a tight game- another sign that we are a good side. I don't want to watch it again (excepts Chubs' save and the free-kick) but that doesn't mean we played badly.

Wilkinson instead of Poleon would've made a big difference today too.

Honestly can't believe anyone would think Kelly was poor against Orient. Dictated a lot of play against a good side who were really organised. Wouldn't have liked to see what would've happened if he hadn't been so 'negative'

I've voted for Jones but find it weird how bad his set pieces are. Looks good technically in really tight areas but his free kicks seem to sail high and wide past everyone. Kelly took one free kick and we scored. Thought B.Wilson was good today too. Worked really hard and has quality in possession. Can't imagine Poleon getting many votes. First time I've seen him so hoping he just had an off day

Looks like Kusunga will be at African Cup of Nations so we can't afford Lockwood to be injured then. One suspension and we'd be down to Mellor at CB

How long is Turners contract? Paying a fee & a wage to see him play elsewhere isn't great. Lets hope JCH scores a hat-trick today then we can all pipe down. That's hope, not belief!

If I were LJ I'd be hoping that Richards moves & we get a windfall. I'd expect the lions share of cash to be spent on the stand but could free up a wage for more experienced striker. Do wish we'd got Cole on loan from City. Looked decent for Barnsley

We know that Chubs is good enough based on last 10games of last year. Really don't think this is a priority. If Rachubka wants to go, fair enough. But I don't think he is the problem looking at chances missed at weekend. Would rather money was spent elsewhere

Winchester might go with u-21s.

Just read an article about this in When Saturday Comes. Author suggests that Southern teams & the Clergy were against the league continuing but most Northerners disagreed. Only 4 of the 40 clubs in the league came from South of the Midlands. Shame we didn't win it but there is a chance that a lot of games were thrown as most players stopped getting paid midway through the season.

We'd get a fee for all of them if we've offered a contract. My understanding is that lots of clubs will try to get Simpson and we would get compensation without much impact on the first team. There must be so many loanee keepers that LJ would think an experienced number 2 is an expense he could do without. Think Coleman & Tyson are rated highly enough to do a job. Plus, emergency loan system means that we'd have a new keeper by next game if Chubs got sent off injured

Just sign him up and get the spine of the team in place early. One year deal plus option based on number of games played.

Just wondering who people would most like to see go down today? Our budget might not be huge next year so we might have to pick up players from relegated sides or rely on other sides having a similarly small budget. Wouldn't mind Lowe, Fon Williams or Wallace from Tranmere and Notts form suggests they've got more than a few lads who can cut it in League 1. I'd like Crewe to stay up as it's almost guaranteed they will have a tiny budget and the only player I rated there was the right back. Same for Championship. Never been to St. Andrews so it's Brum for me

I know what you're saying but whoever is brought in as CM will have to be back up to Smith (won't be dropped as Captain) and Wes (if he stays & his form is as good as recently). Rodgers would've played when Smith got injured but was injured himself. Byrom looked decent at Crewe but if we keep Smith & Wes whoever it is will be cover

It's a tricky thing to judge when you don't know who else will be available but it will be interesting to see if LJ prefers to stick with players he knows like Byrom and Rodgers rather than bringing in new faces. Rodgers looked good in JPT & would accept being cover to Wes & Smith. If LJ wants to raise money, Smith is our most saleable asset.

Think we should get Wilson signed up as soon as poss. The player wants it & he looks versatile enough that he could play RB as cover. Mellor is cheap cover for a few positions & gets my vote to stay on that basis. Anyone with a baby will understand that he's probably had a busy few months & I know I struggle to do my job with no sleep. Give him another year

I'm looking at the teams still down there & hoping we can take a few from relegated teams. Fon Williams Joe Mills (Burnley prob release) Sheehan Freeman & Darius Charles at Stevenage Max Power, Ryan Lowe & Wallace at Tranmere No idea what their contract situations are but it's food for thought. We have improved for having experience but that probably costs money in bigger wages. Would love Harkins & Worrall to stay too but I think it will be one of the two if we have to pay a small fee. I'd choose Harkins on that basis

Just wondering why people get so upset about fees not being in the public domain? If I was buying a car, I wouldn't want the guy who I was buying it off knowing how much cash I had while we were negotiating. Just wondering why people feel the club should publish details? Is it a lack of trust of Corney or just curiosity? Genuine question. It strikes me that publishing the fees weakens our hand in negotiations & gives away how much (or little) a club with 3500 at home games would accept for its best players.

If he's out of contract in summer then we can offer a pre-contract deal & avoid paying a fee or wages til then. Technically it's an international transfer so we can agree it from January onwards.

You might be right Matt, but its interesting to hear from people without the predictable negative view of Latics youngsters. Mellor didn't do badly for lad playing out of position and having played a lot of fixtures close together. I'm not sure if fitness is a problem or the reason why he backed off. I'm just don't think he's as quick as Sterling, so might not want to get too tight given that he'd have no chance catching him. Cheer up Matt, you sound like you need a hug.

Was a ground full of tourists yesterday, hence lack of atmosphere. Couldn't believe that they charge £52 for category A home games. Madness!