penrhyn

R.I.P. Sir Bobby a true gentleman and a footballing legend sad sad loss .

Good move by Penney will either wake the lad up or he is out.

Congrats Ackey, good luck with your new appointment nice to see a genuine fan get the job.

Think he would be a good signing, his goal - game ratio is pretty good . Dont think we saw the best of him last year he could be the right player to link up with Abbott.

Did any of the players have any respect for Sheriden ? the way we capitulated later in the season suggests not. Going back to Gregan,Royle rated him, and Penny says he has been fantastic since he came back he is still a quality player at this level. As for the midfield I stll think that was Sheridans downfall along with all the loan signings and not controlling the players. Its all about opinions so I guess it will be interesting to see how we do this year, but it is interesting that Penney has recruited a number of midfielders and a left back. And obviously didnt fancy Allott who has probably gone a season to far at this level.

Garcon Hits the nail on the head, Gregan would still walk into most defences in this league 1. Maybe this shows exactly what we should really make of some of last season's allegations? 2. It shows he has successfully come through a very difficult time personally last season (admittedly mostly brought on himself). 3. Oh my! Perish the thought that we have a captain that shouts at his players! What about their feelings, the poor little souls! How awful! Plus the fact that the defence wasnt helped by our paper thin midfield that never tracked back, which resulted in our defence being overworked most games even when we were in front and should have been comfortable. Dave Penney has gone about his team rebuilding very shrewdly in my opinion, going of his interview I expect the likes of Whittaker,Smalley,Alessandra,Lomax,Lee, and Stephens to be pressurised into bucking up or leaving. It wouldnt suprise me if Eardley goes to Blackpool which may help us too bring in another centre back and possibly an additional striker. Things look good so far have to say I am impressed with the work so far, I can see us being harder to beat and not conceding as many stupid goals this year we may well suprise a few teams this season. If Taylor continues his improvement he could well get near 20 goals for us this season.

Sounds a bit Flemingesque to me, but if he is ok we might as well try and bring him on than stick with a more expensive option who is obviously homesick.

Looks like Brighton are in the race for Dickinson, wonder if this would free up Glenn Murray. If we could afford him of course think he would suit us and it well documented he wants to move back north. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11719_5422371,00.html

Think we are better off without him, he hardly set the place onfire after christmas did he. At 33 years of age. And struggling to maintain his fitness I doubt he would have got anywhere near 20 goals for us this coming season. Think Big Joe called it right,and DP was trying his hand to get him on a cheap deal.

Agree Pukka could be just the right foil for Abbott.

I think you will find Mr Pennys track record for loan signings is far more impressive than Mr Sheridans, especially where strikers are concerned if indeed it comes to a loan signing. as Garcon said Patience. There are alot of strikers out there who've been out of contract for only 6 days. The sooner we sign one the better, but there aren't many clubs out there who are down to chasing their last two first team contracts.Its a shame we lost out on Billy Clarke but I presume the budget must still be there. There is still a lot of movement to happen yet for instance if WBA sign Cox from Swindon that might free up one of their strikers,now Stephen Elliott would be nice if we could afford him.I think we have to trust DP to get the right man I am sure there are players doing the rounds on trial also that he wants to check out. Same goes for a centre half, I know Fitz Hall has been mentioned but cant see this really happening he is more than likely way to expensive for us.

wherever he plays I think he might find he has the midfield to back him up now and give him more support.

Maybe Lee will be given a chance as a winger, if DP sees Chris Taylor as a striker. Whatever happens we need Stephens and Lee to be fit and match ready this year. For me last season our midfield was overun far too often exposing the defence. This usually happened once teams had worked out or nulified Chris Taylor. The recent midfield additions though already make the midfield look stronger with what appears to be plenty of variation. My only concern is that none of the players are that big we were outmuscled too many times last year,but maybe the likes of Schofield,Purdie,and Furman will not surrender as easily and be more committed lets hope so. Allowing potential flair/speed players (Smalley,Taylor,Lee) to do some damage.

How about John Fleck coming here on a season long loan,if he is half as good as his father who I remember he will be a good one.

Think this could be the midfielder we have lacked for some time, according to Bradford Carlisle were after him as well http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/...1706211,00.html. I am actually amazed we have pulled this off,couple more of this calibre and we could be dark horses this season, I am certianly more optomistic than I was a few weeks ago. Well done DP and TTA.

Good luck Stuart in your new Job hope it works out for you,and thanks for all the hard work you have put into oafc.com.

I think a lot of people need to remember this is a team game.One thing we lacked badly last year was team spirit and togetherness .Which I am sure we will see more evidence of. Lets wait bedfore we cast judgement,we have signed plenty of nobodys before who have done well for us. Interstingly Leeds Signed a 30year old full back from Northampton this week hmmmmm!!!!

Absolutely spot on !!

Huddersfield also bought a centre forward from Gateshead who had scored loads just before the deadline and loaned him straight back . I expect they will be hoping he will make an impact this year.

Cant see us signing anyone that involves a fee so Graham is ruled out, I would like to see Murray from Brighton but again a fee is involved there, and I would think he is on Carlisle's radar as a possible replacement for Graham if he goes. I think Byfield would be a good option to what we currently have (nothing), with the right player alongside him providing he is fit,that said I would prefer Billy Clarke who fits the hungry, young,something to prove model. Suppose we will have to wait and see I expect two of the four players we have contract offers out to are strikers.

Have to agree that the bidding starts at 1Million for Taylor, at this point I think there are bigger fish than Leeds interested. The two Sheffield clubs for a start and possibly Middlesborough who might see him as a replacement for Downey when he leaves. As much as people says money talks I cant see Chris signing for Leeds, think it will take something and someone bigger and better Grayson and Leeds to prise him away.

Lero Lita has come down in the world, he would score goals for us but doubt we could afford him.

I find it some irony (excuse the pun) that a team that lost more games than we did has gone up . It just shows what we threw away because of ill discipline. That said you have to give Scunthorpe and Adkins credit they kept going when they looked out of it at one point. And by all accounts won a very entertaining game today.

I wonder if this would have been debated had Bury,Rochdale,Shrewsbury,Bradford all gained promotion from Div 2,and Barnsley,Blackpool,Forrest. relegated from the championship. And Millwall,Petrborough.and MK Dons promoted from div 1.