the_mighty_bosh

Switzerland?!?!?

I need a miracle!

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Welcome to Latics Chris and all the best!

The one disappointing aspect of this signing is that Lewis gets pushed down the pecking order when I thought he could become a first team regular this year, but he is still young and has a 3 year deal so he still has time to make an impact. Smalley won't be affected as badly because he can play on the right as well and I can see Wolfy being either loaned out or sold in this off-season.

It will be good to see if O'Grady can put pressure on Hughes and Davies for a starting place or if he could become an impact player from the bench.

This might make it slightly more interesting...

Keltie in Exeter??

On the freeview thing on the OS he said that he turned down the chance to watch United in Moscow tonight so that he could sign for us today.

Already a legend in my eyes!

And always look out for the results at Chadderton and Barnstaple Town.

Barnstaple?? That's a bit random isn't it?

I genuinely believe that we will be the dark horses that do well next year.

The thing about Carlisle is, they really don't have that great a team. They could even be in a relegation scrap next season, I stand by that they are the worse team to visit BP this season, provided no threat what so ever. I was never worried about us throwing it away because they just didn't seem like a League One side let alone a team in second.

Didn't watch the 2nd leg tonight but from the 1st leg I thought they looked a decent side, if there is any chance of getting Simon Hackney we should definitely try to. Quick, left footed and puts lots of decent early crosses into the box, just what we need on the left.

to everyone who has posted on this thread - how many of you actually properly full on 'care' for the non Latics clubs you follow. If I'm honest with myself even defeats in important games for the 4 I mentioned merit not much more than a flicker. There is only one true faith after all.

Are any of you actually gutted if your other teams lose?

No I'm the same as you, although it's good to see them do well it never hurts me if they do badly.

As a second team I follow Exeter because of the Big Bank, they're my local team, my brother supports them and because of what I witnessed just down the road from Latics on the day we beat City in the Cup! I hate United and MK Dons for obvious reasons and dislike Argyle.

I'm starting to get into some of the footy abroad and have loads of respect for the Boca/River derby (support Boca out of the two simply coz they play in blue!) and anywhere where there is a fantastic, passionate atmosphere without the hooliganism. I think Germany has the right idea with the standing areas & I'm sure we could bring it back into England at the top levels and still abide by the health and safety regulations.

P.S. After that YouTube clip I think I'm falling for Eintracht Frankfurt!

That was unbelievable!!

My brother & some of my mates who went are going crazy!

Wembley-bound for the second straight year!

Of course, but I don't think there should be anyone left who supports Ronnie to wind up!

I think the RM issue should be laid to rest now.

The biggest dispute over him getting sacked was that he could've taken us up if he had a 2nd season in charge. But now he has shown with a similar sized club to ourselves that he couldn't improve the team's position from the season before. In both seasons under Shez we have finished 3 places above them and both were better than the one season Ronnie had in charge so it has been proven that Shez is a better choice of manager than Ronnie and that TTA made the correct decision by sacking him and appointing Shez.

So well done TTA and hopefully there will be no debates over RM.

I think the only players we would need to bring in if we keep the squad we've got would be Livermore, Jarrett, a new 'keeper and possibly one more midfielder (centre-mid for diamond midfield, left-mid if we use wingers). If we went for the diamond midfield our squad would have enough players to fill all positions;

Goalie's: Crossley, New GK, Bell

Right-back's: Eardley, Lomax, Hazell

Left-back's: Livermore, Lomax, Black

Centre-back's: Gregan, Hazell, Stam, Thompson, Livermore

Defensive-mid: Allott, Livermore, Gregan, (Chalmers?)

Centre-mid: Allott, Taylor, Jarrett, Livermore, Eardley, Chalmers, New CM

Attacking-mid: Jarrett, Liddell, Taylor

Striker's: Hughes, Davies, Alessandra, Smalley, Wolfenden

Here's what it would look like for a conventional midfield four:

Goalie's: Crossley, New GK, Bell

Right-back's: Eardley, Lomax, Hazell

Left-back's: Livermore, Lomax, Black

Centre-back's: Gregan, Hazell, Stam, Thompson, Livermore

Right-mid: Taylor, Smalley, Liddell

Left-mid: New LM (Schofield?), Taylor, Livermore

Centre-mid: Allott, Taylor, Jarrett, Livermore, Eardley, Chalmers

Striker's: Hughes, Davies, Alessandra, Smalley, Wolfenden

Although it's only a squad of 22, we have cover in all positions thanks to the versatility of these players. If it gets really desperate then we can use the loan market or maybe the youth system again. IMO we don't need another striker unless we let Wolfy go as I feel it would be a waste of a wage, and Wolfy could easily do a job as our 5th choice striker.

After mulling it over, I've decided to go for no.

I expect us to be dark horses for next season, there are other teams who have more money to spend than we do who will be ahead of us in most people's mind's. But it has proved in recent years that lower expectations have propelled the eventual league winners above the more fancied teams. Take the last five seasons, did anyone predict at the beginning of the season that Plymouth, Luton, Southend and Scunthorpe would win this league? Even Swansea were by no means favourites to take this league by storm this year.

So in summary; We certainly have the potential to win promotion next year, but we need to be smart.

Great stuff!

Best of luck Gary Mac!

My first poll so it may need altering from the Mods...

Sorted!

Obviously we all want us to do it, but when predicting league positions for next year would you put Latics amongst the top 2 or top 6?

I would like to keep Gary Mac as a squad player and I don't believe the tabloid rubbish about Brighton, but if he doesn't want to stay so he can get first team footy then fair enough, as said above I'd rather take Jarrett permanently.

However, I still think he could be successful here and I'd prefer as little squad turnover as possible.

Did any members of BALLS get to the game today? I listened to it on Radio Devon & it was one of the most bizarre games I've ever heard! Brilliant stuff though!

This Exeter/Torquay double header is going to be fantastic, up there with the Man United games a few years back! With all the ex-players on either side added to the earlier games this season means the animosity will be huge!

Didn't see Burton this year at City but they're the only team to win at SJP this season so they should be fairly strong. Cambridge are a team of giants with minimal ability but they've lost a few players since I saw them.

All in all, these playoffs are going to be amazing, even for a semi-neutral like me!

How old's this pie girl btw?

Fees are highly inflated at the moment for good young british players. Seeing as that Cardiff wlesh full back went for well over a million I don't see why we should settle when we have him tied down to a lengthy contract. Over a million or no sale for me. I find it astounding personally how desperate so many on here are to sell Eardley, when imo he is very consistent and improving all the time. Could be a massive player for us next season, if we get him a good partner down that right side, he thrives on being able to get forward and back up the winger by over lapping.

Completely agree.

Why does it bother people so much what anonymous individuals here and there happen to say or do during ninety minutes of football once a week?

Simple, it affects their enjoyment of following Oldham.

Agree BB80 except Brighton came down in 05/06. Luton were the other team relegated last year and, for obvious reasons, aren't doing as well as the other relegated teams.

Next season I think that we need to start with Taylor on the right ahead of Smalley and Lids. I don't rate Smalley as highly as Taylor and I think Smalley's development will be improved if he isn't used as frequently as he has been this year. I believe that Liddell's physical attributes (pace, agility and stamina especially) have dropped below the required level for L1 and although he is a very good crosser and penalty taker I think that Taylor's ability to beat his man along with his OK crossing ability is better to have. Liddell has definitely helped Eardley develop in the last couple of years but I now think Taylor and Eardley should be able to link up well down the flanks in their 3rd full year.

But...

I still think Liddell should be kept at the club either in a coaching or player/coach role on reduced wages. He seems to command a lot of respect from the rest of the squad going off the interviews I've heard and he could certainly help the younger players by sharing his wisdom. Also there is a chance that he could be utilised as a playmaker if he has enough support from other midfielders, just like the role Jarrett's been played in.

I await Derek's Taylor bashing!

Do we waste another season in this league provided him with another opportunity to succeed?

Yes, we do.

I'd rather waste another opportunity to succeed under Shez than any other affordable manager, because I'm certain that Shez would do better in his 3rd year with this team than any other manager would in their 1st year with this team.

If promotion is the aim for next year, a new manager won't achieve it.

EDIT: In response to the D.O.F question, I believe the chances are that the D.O.F would cause too much interference and indecision, thus being counter-productive.