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It is believed a new figure on the training ground will be sounded out to aid the team's preparations ahead of next season. It remains to be seen how Dickov would greet such a step.

This sounds like what we have been calling for, a senior head. Though I imagine Mike Newton's CV will be first on the desk..

I like kit A, though I don't see what distinguishes orange from tangerine... except pedantic Blackpool fans of course!

The decent football with Ronnie was when the ball went through Wellens. He made a huge difference to that side.

God, I miss Richie Wellens. And Neil Kilkenny for that matter - speaking of whom, might he be available this summer having fallen out of favour at Bristol City? I have said this before several times, but we should approach Jason Koumas.

26 wins in 90 games

This is a very damning statistic - many of the pro-Dickov arguments point to good form in the past, good football etc. But I hadn't realised just how bad his record was. I'm willing to give him another year - a big reason being I wouldn't want us to get stuck with another Talbot or Penney - but mainly on the premise that he has come out and said a lot has to change for next season. I hope he sticks to it, looks at himself, his backroom team, the playing squad, training regime etc and really digs deep into the market to bring in the best available players for our budget. I don't for one second believe that Corney has the patience that the fans do though, I think a poor start to next season and he'll be out by Christmas.

Why hasn't Dickov emphasised to Kuqi the importance of him staying in the box. Why hasn't he told him that if he doesn't spend enough time in the box then he will not start him in the next game.

Having Kuqi in a predatory role is the best way to utilise Simpson. Threading the passes between defenders and defenders being drawn away from Simpson by being occupied with Kuqi as he's a unit allowing Simpson to have time on the ball and use his ability to the maximum.

If Kuqi leaves next season then it's crucial for Dickov to sign a poacher/box dweller so that Simpson can fulfill his potential and be a player to base an attacking line up around.

Exactly this, Kuqi's goals all came from being in the box for crosses, through balls and rebounds. Playing as a striker, we have missed that dearly.

Keeping Simpson is crucial for next season. He knows the team, the set up and is influential when the club plays well.

 

Him along with Furman and Wes will give us the consistency in the middle, pulling the strings and moving us onwards and upwards. We can easily replace the striking options we have fire someone more prolific (it won't be hard) but failing to keep these three will set us back having to rebuild the midfield.

I agree, although I would argue this - If we do keep Simpson, I think we can all agree that it is essential he plays in his best position, behind the front man. But if this team is likely to be built around him, does his lack of effectiveness in other - perhaps more conventional - positions not limit our options? Does it not ensure that we must stick to a system with a player off the front man which, in honesty hasn't worked wonderfully with Kuqi up top. It does look as though Kuqi will be staying too, according to the local papers. I think if Simpson is to stay we need (at whatever cost) a striker that will also fit the system perfectly - complimenting Simpson and not running about like a headless chicken for 70 minutes. I think for that to happen Kuqi needs to leave. Who that striker may be, within our grasp? I don't know.

Can we get a fee for Cisak?

Yes, he's under contract for another season. And given that we paid a fee for him ourselves I would expect to hold out for a fair whack - if he does go for a decent fee, then it's a good bit of business for the club. Perhaps learning from the mistakes we made in not letting Taylor leave when we had the chance to take the money and run (that is, if he leaves on a free as expected). I think Bouzanis is a decent keeper for this level whom we can work with, as such that will allow us to put the money into other parts of the squad. Will be sad to see Cisak go, but could be good business.

As for Simpson, quite correct - he should be playing up front. If we keep Simpson, I'd be more than happy to see Kuqi leave.

It looks a lot better, and certainly would give more of a 'football ground' feel to BP again. Though I get the feeling were it to be done, that we would not recuperate the cost - and the 'temporary' stand would end up being in place for about 5 seasons whilst no other progress was being made! I agree though, we could do with hearing something soon just to give the place a bit of optimism!

I voted no for Tarkowski & the other two youngsters on the basis that in an ideal world, we'd have enough experienced CBs to send them all out on loan, of course this cannot be the case - but I think Tarky especially could use some time in L2.

He is still in the area, I saw him at Heywood Cricket Club only last summer. My dad knows him, seemed a decent bloke though I only chatted to him briefly. Wonder if he could still do a job at left back?

I think I've mentioned this before; out of contract for nearly a year - Jason Koumas?

Injuries and perhaps wages an issue.. but maybe worth an approach, would certainly create in midfield.

That's our 'promotional' video, though perhaps I'm being a little ambitious using that word!

Why the hell does he hold up a programme every time he says £10? Perhaps the budget couldn't extend to an actual £10 note

Imagine all three? There are a number of combinations to consider.

1. Combined age?

2. Combined weight?

3. Combined wage packet?

 

Tbh, I would like two experienced player, a midfielder who can pass a ball and a goal scorer, but unless we compete with Blackpools offer to Fowler we have no chance. Can't see that.....

Jason Koumas. He'd almost certainly be worth an enquiry, still a free agent? Use Taylor's wages and whatever else we can throw together to try and tempt him..

The account has disappeared... Seems odd, as you say the fella from talkSport confirmed his identity.

Almost certainly with a view to signing permanently.. though what does this mean for Smith? Kuqi, Smith and Tonks in a team that can't cross the ball!

Can we please start singing "Allez les bleus"?

Sadly about 18 months before my time. The best I remember is probably putting 5 past Forest. Beating City in the Cup wasn't too shabby though.

Fondly remember Corazzin's 4 against Wrexham. He missed a penalty that game too iirc..

In light of the exploits of Mr Messi and Mr Gomez in the Mickey Mouse Trophy; here's Frankie Bunn scoring 6 goals in front of a packed out Boundary Park:

lol.

Win against Rochdale and put in a good performance and it'll be play-off talk again and we're on the up. Win against Dale and Hartlepool and no one will even remember this defeat.

There are clubs out there in a lot worse position than us.

Yes, we've got a falling down stadium, but there are plans in place to get the stadium re-done. We would of had a re-developed BP by now if it wasn't for the credit crunch. Yes we have no cash, but there's alot more clubs out there with less cash. Compared to others, we're in a good way currently.

I worry about this, it was expected that we would have secured investment and be well under way with development by now. I understand the club not commenting on the situation at present and nobody really knows the facts, but I feel the investment required is scarcely available & not obtained cheaply. The success of a football club is characterised by its performances on the pitch and position in the league structure, something which sadly is in decline especially on our budget. I do wonder if the Golden Ticket scheme was a last ditch attempt to persuade investors that the club does have some potential left in it - as a fan with tinted specs, we will always argue that it does - but as an investor I wouldn't go anywhere near.

Ah, slightly disappointing. The club should realise that when we're expecting big news, we tend to spend the day glued to the website hitting F5 instead of working, going to the gym... making and eating lunch.. etc.

I thought that but Keegan says it's not to do with ground development. Unless he doesn't really know.. Who knows.

To be fair to Mike, he's usually pretty accurate.

Though on deadline day, he did report that our 'mystery striker' was on his way down for talks with MK Dons... 20 mins after the website announced that Kuqi had signed.

turned down an approach from a championship club last season

Watford? If I recall correctly..

to be fair i think this is first time i've heard PD being this harsh.

 

again, what do you want him to say?

 

everyone is pi55ed off...solution????

Easy, buy Messi.

Don't get me wrong here I really like Dickov but he has to take some blame for another poor season. Enthusiasm and energy are his main attributes but his tactics are bloody woeful!!

 

His obsession with wingers and his insistence at playing people out of position is what's losing us games......today we had Brown, Morais, Parker, Simpson and Taylor all on the field at some stage and we still failed to get a supply of crosses into the box.

 

Losing Black was a blow and the major turning point in the game ...he moves our most consistent performer to LB and brings on a not very mobile no nonsense CB to play RB and from then on in it was Lamb's to the slaughter.

 

He should have put Taylor to LB and brought Winchester into midfield...what's the point of having him on the bench if you can't trust him to play in his natural position.

 

This season is all but over and we should be able to keep out of the bottom 4 but money or no money Dickov has to change some personnel and tactics next season because if we continue to fill the team with under acheiving "flair" players we are going to find it more and more difficult to stay out of the relegation places!

I agree mostly with what you say. Could it be possible that one of the reasons we're suffering is the lack of a tactically-minded, experienced assistant manager? Dickov has proven he can attract players for next to nothing and has a great rapport with his players. But his tactics are short of the mark, a senior figure alongside him I feel could really help with this. I wonder how long before Mike Newton is making tactical suggestions...

Last I heard Rangers and a few other Championship clubs were interested in him over Jan, beyond what we can realistically expect to attract I feel.

Here's another:

1822: DONE DEAL Here's an interesting one I meant to tell you about earlier - Crystal Palace have signed 21-year-old Margate striker Kwesi Appiah, who has scored 35 goals in 33 games for the Gate in the Ryman League Premier Division this season. Not a bad turnaround for a man who was released by Blue Square Bet South side Thurrock in the summer. Appiah almost joined Blackpool earlier in January - is he the new Ian Wright?

Derby Tup is a great pub, excellent choice of Ale. Had a fair few Latics' in for the league game a few weeks ago. Very good chippy just next door as well!