Microcuts

Now that would be a very good signing...

http://www.oldhamath...2829344,00.html I think we all expected this. Whilst our priority now shifts back to finding a goalscorer, I imagine the freeing up of wages will be healthy.

Wikipedia suggests Gary Doherty's signed for us - page was edited at 19:30 ish. Both played in L1 on loan last season so would appear plausible - bring experience too,

I think that could be an argument in our favour? Morais seems to be a confidence player; needs the confidence of team-mates and fans alike (I know we're not the best for that..), but uprooting and moving sticks throws him back into the unknown where he will require that process of settling in again. To be fair to him though, we don't know his actual situation regarding family & happiness etc. If he moves down south I wouldn't begrudge him at all, I would however be annoyed if he ended up somewhere like Doncaster, or Preston.

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~2824518,00.html 17 year old GK from Utd, perhaps not what we were hoping for/expecting but seems to have promise. More signs that Cisak may be on the way out? Another Aussie too..

That is, if he can find those players. I think this summer is Dickov's biggest moment as manager - he has to fully rebuild a squad amidst uncertainty about the future of his current key players. I don't think anybody could hazard a guess at our starting 11 come August or September. Who knows though, as Corney pointed out with the amount of players available basic economics tells you that their demands will reduce once the first crop are snapped up. I think for sure that Preston will be paying over the odds for pretty average players, a trap we don't wish to fall into again. I hope the patience pays off.

Oumare Tounkara.. Ra Ra Ra Ra Wrecking ball..? no, anyone?

Didn't we narrow the pitch in Moore's first full season? To aid the Rob Scott long throw I seem to remember. Whether it was successful overall is up for debate.

Yeah fair. There are about 3 pages claiming to be official and myriad other OAFC pages about the social networks it's hard to keep up with what is legit. Taylor to Leicester seems a bit ridiculous, and I don't think McLeod is the kind of player Dickov will look at anyway. Hopefully we'll hear some good news soon.

From http://www.facebook....dhamAthleticAfc Seems odd that somebody at the club would be releasing this information, thoughts?

Sydney Cricket Ground(SCG)?

I wasn't ever really a great fan of Sheridan, personality wise. But he did get us to the play-offs. And in about 16 years watching Latics it's as close as I've been to having anything to shout about save the Dowie season though we all know how that ended. I like Dickov, it's very hard to get angry listening to his press conferences - unlike with Penney and Moore - as he is always so optimistic. But he hasn't yet delivered on the field, and whilst I very much admire him taking the brunt of the blame, until he does deliver - Shez gets my vote.

Ha, I saw the Dickov video a few weeks ago - couldn't understand why he raised a programme everytime he said "£10". On the subject of pay-per-win. How would it work for players who are injured, not selected, unused subs etc..?

What does he do? Not trying to antagonise, genuine question.

At left back, I agree - I don't think we've seen enough of him in his natural position though - wherever that may be. Sweet left foot. Don't think he's the brightest of the bunch judging by his LP interview a few weeks ago though !

Not to read into Twitter comments too much again, but this suggests you could be right Paddy!

I feel for him mostly because he works so hard off the pitch. Real shame that I think he was just a little short on quality. I hope for his personal sake that he proves the club wrong, so long as it doesn't come back to bite us!

The second of the two goals shown here:

"Walker has been out suspended since picking up successive red cards in the Kent League" - I sort of like that, gives me the impression that he's a bit of a nasty one - of the Dickov mold. Nightmare for defenders if it's controlled in the right way.

16 goals is hard to argue with, but I do feel his style of play over the last few months has been the major contributor to our overall lack of goals. He consistently comes deep for the ball and is not quick enough to make up the ground forward should one of the wingers or midfielders find a bit of space.. Additionally, his lack of pace means that when we are getting pressed - we revert to long ball. I think if he's to stay, he will need someone quick along side him. He can be very, very good in the penalty area. So let someone else do all the dog work and just stick him in there.

He looks like the perfect addition in terms of what we've been crying out for, but I do worry a little that a new person appointed directly by the board may put pressure on Dickov and create a bit of a negative atmosphere.. They might not even get on! But here's hoping it works out.

A flexible, organised, disciplined 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 that makes optimum use of our strengths. Goalkeeper - Cisak. They look to give the ball to the fullbacks who in turn work with CMs to move the ball into the opposition half. Flat back four, full-backs more defensively minded then they have been this season. Two CMs are flat and deep, they play a simple, on the ground passing game only and aim to get the ball to other, more creative players - I don't believe we have the chance creation in the middle in itself. They come deep to get the ball from the centre backs and work with the fullbacks to get the ball into the opposition half feeding Simpson & two advanced wingers, playing as a deep striker. Must be disciplined, intelligent and cover should the fullbacks go forward. Wes and Furman are ideal for this. Two advanced wingers - their job is to get on the ball, get to the byline and cross for Striker, Simpson and opposite winger coming in to the penalty area and/or late arriving midfield player with one of the full-backs positioned to cover any potential break away through the gap in midfield. When the ball goes through the middle to Simpson (or Morais if Simpson leaves), the two wingers (who I trust will develop an understanding, playing in their natural position) will essentially form a front 3, with Simpson deeper making the play. A poacher of sorts up front (Kuqi in his first 15 games). Can feed off Simpson, get on the end of crosses and be an outlet if we're under the cosh. Ideally though, this will be somebody quick. This year we have struggled when well pressed, this would give us the option of the ball in behind the defense. I would like to see Kuqi's wages and everything we can muster together being spent on this player. It's a flexible system, the players must work extremely hard for one another, move the ball around quickly (especially on the break) and be willing to think about their game and drop deep to cover if needs be. Organisation and discipline in the back four and CMs allows the front four players the freedom to make space, with selective support from the midfield, not leaving us exposed as we to have seen this year. Add to this well rehearsed, organised set-pieces then I believe it can be a very solid system. It will require the wingers to add goals to their game, we know Morais and (if he stays) Taylor are capable of this, not sure about KMB just yet - though I feel we may need to invest in this area too. Here is what my line-up would look like, though I suspect the personnel may be different:- Attacking: --------------- Cisak--------------- Lee----- C/B------ M'Voto-----LB -------Furman--- Wesolowski--- Taylor-----Simpson----- Morais -------------- Kuqi ----------------- Defensive: -------------------Cisak------------------- Lee----- C/B------ M'Voto-----LB Taylor---Furman--- Wesolowski---Morais ---------- Kuqi -------Simpson---------- Not likely to have Taylor or Simpson, and I don't think Kuqi will return to performance previous levels, though perhaps a solid midfield and supply of goalscoring opportunities could change that. I think Diamond will leave, and Tarky isn't ready yet. We should seek a CB who is solid, and can pass a ball 5 yards - I think that's a reasonable criteria. If Kuqi (or ideally, a new striker) manages 15-20, and 25 between the wingers and other striker combined with set piece goals and Furman & Wes chipping in - you're away. The real key as I have mentioned though is intelligence and balance, full-backs & midfielders knowing when to go forward. Wingers knowing when to get into the box and when to hug the line etc. We already have the spine of a squad that could do this.

Here we go - mostly paraphrased - I've put in Italics any direct quotes that seem important. Season review Has been great and dissappointing, probably more disappointing. Started with lull of hope, good run in the league, good FA Cup run, JPT run. Fell apart after Chesterfield and has been disappointing since. Feels for Dickov as the squad has been hampered by injury. But two years in a row, capitulating at the end of the season - Dickov & management team aware and want to put it right for next season. Never worried about relegation - knew we'd pick up the points. Looked close at one stage when 2-1 down at Wycombe but still not worried. Overall, players and management had enough to keep us up but not where we expected to be. FA Cup Finances. Helped tremendously, would have been a hard season to get through without those finances. Things are going to get tougher.. the country as a whole not economically good. Will lose 250k from tv money, next season will be challenging - other restraints we have to abide by and will be tough for fans, players, board, those who work at the club day to day Season ticket sales Very important. Very grateful to fans who have already bought tickets. Never ceases to amaze him, the football - good or bad, fans keep coming back. If he was a fan he would have considered not coming back by now - amazing the loyalty fans show, and he knows many more would love to show that kind of loyalty though not all can afford ST money. Responsibilities, bills etc. come first and board understand & respect that though they welcome each and every season ticket holder. Sales are about where they should be for this time of year £10 Youth tickets £10 is just an administrative cost. Fed up of kids in Oldham wearing Utd & City shirts - Future lifeblood of the club, need to be here in 5, 7 and 10 years time. More initiatives to come before season starts. More to be done, facilities & atmosphere at club not good. Jenny & Broady working very hard on new ideas, has faith in the job they're doing. Lot of hope for commercial department. Golden ticket Backlash from very small minority of fans, not going to say anything about them they are entitled to their opinions. Most fans recognise everything he does for the club is to build for the future and to ensure that we still have a club. Done with all good intentions, and absolutely a success - extra few thousand fans in to see football at BP. Working on one or two things for season ticket holders, never set a time frame for it - could be a cup match, could be anything, doesn't have a specific idea.. Cost a lot of money to do it but hoping 100-200 of the extra fans that came along will buy a season ticket - perhaps they wont, but refused to sit back and do nothing whilst crowds dwindled & people moan about low attendances Budget Will be reduced, hopefully not significantly, also hope it will be in line with what other clubs are reducing by. How much by is determined by ST Sales & other commercial interests. Will be very tough, speaks to other chairmans who will be drastically reducing budgets (MK Dons, Colchester..). We had a very high budget this year, people would be surprised if they sat down and looked at it. Brought in close to 20 players through loans and transfers after the season started. Some are very well paid, and we got no breaks. Paid incredibly, full whack to Prem clubs for players on loan. Thought the benefit to the kids careers would mean we wouldn't have to pay the lot. Brooke out on loan being heavily subsidized by the club. Could argue it's bad negotiation, but if manager identifies player and the Prem club want the full wages then there's not much that can be done. Will be a reduction next year, but compared to what we spent thinks we'll be OK. Stand/BP Progress is being made, will not say anything until he has cast iron news as to if, or what we are going to be building and how it will be developed. Knows its frustrating for the fans, is for himself but any news given at this point would not help in any way. Next season - expectations Don't just need to improve results and points total, but more importantly need to improve entertainment. Been to the most home games as he's been too out of any year - not knocking management - but hasn't been entertaining. Sometimes it's the players, times showing lack of effort, sometimes tactics wrong, sometimes luck against us. Need to give more value for money for fans at BP, need to see players working harder and wants fans to go home having seen a big effort even in defeat, not losing 1-0/2-0 to teams in the bottom 4. Very frustrating - definitely need to improve. Dickov I still maintain we have a very good manager, he will be here next year - unless he tells me he's going to leave - he will be here as far as the board are concerned. Only two years in, sticking with manager gives a far better chance - learned from his mistakes being trigger happy with managers. We're happy with Paul, but both he knows and we know that things need to improve, but we're certain that we can do that.

Will do it now - I'm supposed to be studying, so this seems like a good thing to do.