unsworthlatic

Had this sent to me by somebody who works in football, not at Oldham. The bits scribbled out are players names of how he has heard about it but only showing you what I’ve received regarding this matter

Just had a catch up following finishing work regarding Byrne and some comments surrounding the topic. General consensus of Byrne last season, I think is pretty much accepted. That being...he was fantastic on loan, drove the team forward and looked a class act (akin Blackburn at home, Northampton at home, Portsmouth away). Since we signed him permanently and started struggling, he didn't do too much, however, he was played hopelessly out of position. Now I accept, he was hopelessly out of position but that doesn't stop a player tracking back, getting involved or putting in a tackle. It also doesn't stop a player working hard for his teammates, he did none of this. Like I've said previously, the twice he looked anything like the loanee Jack Byrne he came on at half time on both occasions. Why couldn't he produce that in any of the games he started? Rather ridiculous really and at Northampton last game, he along with 8 others were absolutely woeful! Once again, reiterating the fact that Jack Byrne could be and would be (with the right attitude and application) the best player in League Two, however the bit in brackets is a major issue and one the management team have to consider carefully. If I was Bunn, I would look to get rid as I have said previously, that said it isn't always as easy as that especially with him being on rumoured 6k a week. If he was to stay beyond the transfer window, he needs to be back involved. All that needs explaining to him is, be a world beater and quite comfortably the best player in League Two until January and should an offer come then we will let him have the final say and not stand in his way. We'll help him, if he helps himself and us type of thing. I guess time will tell but something has to give with the Byrne situation

When the going got tough and we were struggling, he didn’t create anything. In the last 10 games he did well twice, coming off the bench in both. Relegation battles, you have to dig in (see season before) and players with little quality but with work ethic and bloody mindedness can help you through. When in a team winning and playing well he’s fantastic, games where you have to fight, no use whatsoever

Fans have become increasingly fed up and frustrated at the clear attitude problem that clouds his undoubted footballing talent and fantastic ability. On the pitch he’s either the best player on the park (was on many occasions) or not involved at all, some games with him on the pitch it felt like we were playing 10 v 11. As well as this, his style of play and his ‘game’ didn’t suit that of a relegation battle. Byrne was and is a luxury player and when going quite well will thrive on driving the team to player even better football. There is a clear reason why he has had so many clubs and why he has the same reputation at every single one of them and sadly reputation goes before some players, this could spoil his footballing career, certainly in the UK as people talk. As much as they are ‘rumours’ you can’t help but feel there is substance behind them. Again, the saying goes ‘no smoke without fire’. Fane has his leg broken and a dislocated ankle which the club haven’t confirmed how it happened. Yet, since that has happened he hasn’t featured at all and has been suspended by the club, although this has been confirmed officially either. If he has done it intentionally (I’d hope no footballer would to a fellow teammate) then for me he has to go at all costs. However, to get rid, somebody needs to take a chance and I feel that is unlikely, once again certainly in the UK due to his reputation of sulking and his attitude issues. For him to go elsewhere, we need it to be handled as if the tackle was a clear accident, once again, I hope it was but sadly off a number of reports heard it doesn’t sound that way. A player with amazing talent and sometimes worth the entrance fee alone granted, unfortunately for me I feel he is too much to handle and for that reason and that reason alone I would actively look to sell.

Didn't know him personally but RIP O4U (Dave) Thoughts are with Chris and family

I assume there will be some published at some stage...I have only recently become a member of the Trust and like I said wanted to go to ask questions. Again, I presume Jorvik or Underdog can advise further on this.

I’m in the usual “Here we go again” bubble with regards to Davies’ tweet. As much as it is yet another demoralising and worrying tweet, I can’t help but feel it’s not what we’ve heard all before. That of course, doesn’t make it right, it never has and never will. Staff should be paid on time, every time, no questions asked. Abdallah needs to learn and quick on many counts including leaving the running of the players and the football team to the manager he has appointed. His involvement (if any) should be restricted to bringing trialists , should he want them there. These however should be solely down to Bunn whether he believes they’re good enough and/or he can work with them to improve them. Davies states players being paid late, AL interfering and calling players out on performances (Fane was banned by AL) as well as AL entering the dressing room at half time of the Southend game. All of these issues, rather ironically were addressed at the Trust Oldham AGM. Now, I went there to ask questions (Lee Sinnott asked most of them on my behalf so didn’t need to) but I came away in acceptance of the answers I were given and had assurances that things over time would improve with the correct board in place and the correct infrastructure going forward. This will however take time. Of the above issues, again one that Davies raises in his tweet/insta story were the following answers: Players Being Paid Late – Players were paid late, not good enough but categorically told that this wouldn’t happen again. This was due to lack of funds in the bank account, as well as administrative error. Actions will speak louder than words, let’s wait and see come the end of this month. Abdallah interfering – Abdallah has admitted to making a lot of mistakes, there certainly won’t be any dressing room visits. We were also told that AL wants to learn quickly and is now, at away games not even staying in the same hotel as the players but insists should players want to speak his door is always open Club going forward – Told that the club were relatively debt free, no necarcu or Brassbank charges outstanding, no embargo for the first time in ages and also a board set to be put in place. Final Statement – We are further away from pressing the emergency button than we have been under a previous owner My own conclusion is let’s wait and see how much all of this changes in the coming season. Certainly time will tell.

Giles Coke joins us on trial along with Ishmael Miller

Adel Gafaiti (on loan from Norwich)

Not saying that I think we will sign Doyle, in fact I don’t think there’s a cat in hells chance...HOWEVER, had we really naffed Preston off regarding not paying fees for players surely they wouldn’t accept playing us in a friendly? They wouldn’t go near us and it’s hardly like they have a shortage of teams to play in the Lancashire area

For what it's worth, I would be looking for players from 16-18 who are released by other academies and have learnt at bigger clubs with the use of better facilities and more one to one coaching but that's just me. I know Walsall do that, using cast offs from Wolves, West Brom etc.

My mate is the first team analyst at Bury, one of their under 14's went to Liverpool for 50k+add ons. Emeka Obi he was called.

I am stretching it, what I did say though was that these were all of our youth products over the last 10 years. However may they played, they made a first team appearance in the league. I never said they were all successes either, quite clearly a few on there weren't but was merely pointing out that 24 across 10 years played for Latics averaging 2.4 a season which isn't the best but certainly nowhere near the worst in the region or indeed the whole of England. There are teams that use and develop their academies extremely well, Crewe, Walsall come to mind but we have sold 3 of them (Coleman, Tarky, Eaves) for 6 figure sums as well as selling youngsters too such as Renshaw who went to Everton. I'd say that isn't a bad effort from a club that has a catchment area of very little considering we have United and City on our doorstep as well as about 10 other clubs who look into the Oldham area

I think our youth system has been quite successful based on the competitors we are faced with in the local area. The better players at under 10’s-16’s get taken for very little by the likes of City and United. Other clubs do well with youth systems (not too many) and some are thinking that it’s a thankless task funding a youth setup such as Huddersfield and Brentford who have decided to scrap the academy idea altogether. The last 10 years, I thought I’d have a look to see if my argument was supported in any way. We have had the following youth products (including a couple that had been sold and returned to Latics) that have played league games for Oldham. Joel Coleman Jamie Stott Tom Hamer George Edmundson James Tarkowski Neal Eardley Kelvin Lomax Paul Black Glenn Belezika Neal Trotman Jack Truelove David Mellor Carl Winchester Mark Allott Deane Smalley Kirk Millar Jack Tuohy Kallum Mantack Danny Philliskirk Chris Taylor Matthew Wolfenden Tom Eaves Lewis Alessandra Ryan Brooke That’s a total of 24. I’d hazard a guess that not too many teams will have played 24 youth products in league games over the last 10 years or so. As you would expect, some were better than others, some were sold i.e Coleman, Tarkowski, Eaves. Others released. Some still playing for us now, others at other clubs (some within the football league) We have also had a couple prior to the last 10 years and within the 10 year period that were sold prior to playing a game, Scott Spencer and Chris Renshaw come to mind. As well as this, we have searched for young talent elsewhere, basically post academy graduates or non league: Darius Osei Rhys Turner Dale Stephens Matt Smith Those 4 spring to mind without looking deeper into it, two of those 4 were sold on. Safe to say I think it has been fairly successful.

Nobody on this thread has been racist or outdated in what has been said. The post that started all this off was one that stated 'due to issues Oldham has had as a town, a black manager should be employed' If there was a racist post at all on this thread, I'd wager that was the one closest. No manager should be picked on race, colour or gender. The best person for the job will do, even if the person is blue with yellow spots. Let's hope we get it right and make the correct choice whoever it may be.

He mentioned it at the fans forum when he was with Steve Robinson. Said he wanted to go into management and was doing coaching badges

I agree totally. They can and should get another job if their footballing career doesn’t pay enough to not work following retirement. What I was trying to state was that I don’t hold grudges to any players that wish to move on to ‘bigger and better’ things which would include a pay rise. Example being Jose Baxter moving to Sheffield United. I was gutted but equally could understand his move 100%. Players don’t owe the club anything unfortunately and since the bosman ruling came in, power is firmly placed into players’ hands. That said we have got to accept that they’re not supporters, it’s a job to them and if a bigger club come in or a club of similar stature with more financial clout we shouldn’t hold it against them for leaving. Also people at the time of weighing up their options have a wide variety of circumstances to consider, they may have bought a house so a bigger wage would help pay the mortgage, they may have a young family so their decision is influenced by that. My point was really that just because this set of players took us into League Two (god knows how!) they don’t owe it to the club to stay if a better offer is on the table for them personally elsewhere.

Football is a two way street...perfect example, Leicester give Ranieri a chance after him making a balls of international management with Greece. Ranieri guides Leicester to an unthinkable level of winning the Premier League despite being 5000/1 at the start of the season. Ranieri is then sacked 8 months later with Leicester being 15th in the Premiership. If Ranieri went on to a bigger club once winning the Prem that would be seen to have been disloyal as Leicester controversially give him a chance (much to dislike of many supporters) Always happens, both ways, players are here as it's their job. It is a short career and as such players need to make as much money for their families as they can during that period.

Who is the right back?

Baxter will have a full pre season like everybody else. I don't see his talent diminishing, it's not like he hasn't played football in 2 years, he's been training and playing games at one of the greatest youth setups of recent years and as such hope that it has kept him ticking over nicely. Byrne, could be fantastic in League Two but all about attitude. Would be great to have both at our disposal.

MENOAFC have tweeted to expect news of a new signing today...Baxter?

Jack Byrne is a funny one for me. Has unbelievable ability and during his loan spell really rivalled some of the better players I have seen play for Latics in recent years (I’m 24). That said, his attitude and mood swings really took me back to school football when the best player on the pitch if things weren’t going his way would strop and sulk thus not offering the team anything whatsoever. The amount of times he lost the ball and just threw his arms in the air instead of getting back into a position to effect the next phase of the game was way too high considering we were in a relegation battle. Along with Byrne, you had Nazon (also ridiculously dangerous when he wanted to be) who tended to just argue amongst themselves as the other team were breaking 15/20 yards away. I do however understand Byrne’s frustration to an extent, being stuck out wide was nothing short of clueless. I just feel Wellens didn’t have a clue how to fit all the players he wanted to play into a system that would bring the best of the individual abilities. For me, Byrne in the last 10 games changed the game twice, both in the middle but both coming from the subs bench (Blackpool at home and Wimbledon away) Going forward and looking ahead to next season in League Two, I would be prepared to listen to offers but wouldn’t give him away on the cheap. If a player doesn’t want to be here then fine, let them go by all means and replace them using the money received from their sale. What I would do however is sit Jack Byrne down and say ‘give us a season and help get us out of the division then we will sell you to wherever you want to go’ He could be our equivalent of Nick Powell/Bradley Dack should we be able to work with him throughout the summer/pre season. Given the choice I would try to keep him, if he wants out however, I would be prepared to listen to offers.

He posted a picture with that yesterday on Instagram

Somebody has put on twitter that Kean Bryan is at Boundary Park. Let the speculation begin!

Chris Hussey as a left back is as good as you will get in League Two. Didn't hit it off at Swindon last year granted but was in team of the year a couple of years ago and played well for Burton in the playoffs when they went up. Great at set pieces too which could prove massive in League Two.