Bobledgersheart

It's been mentioned previously that some fans don't wait at the end of a match to acknowledge the players clapping the fans. Well sometimes I fall into that category, it depends on several things. How cold, wet, pissed off or tired I am; how much effort I think the team have put in collectively; the level of opposition we've played and many other things. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, it doesn't make me any better or worse than any other supporter. For me to castigate a player for not acknowledging the fans would be hypocritical so I'd never do it, just the same as I'd not praise them for "badge kissing", which I find cringeworthy. In both cases it's not really important. If it was to me I'd seriously re-examine my priorities in life.

Always quite liked Winchester as a player. But thought he spent too much time running across the park instead of committing the opposition by straightening his runs. Also thought him a bit lightweight and definitely not captain material. Obviously the move has galvanized him .....well done Carl !

Maybe the Hornets playing on it last season have had an effect on it, plus they played the Roughyeads on it a couple of weeks ago. It was re-laid last season reportedly at a cost of about £100,000 but they had problems of it not "bedding in" well. With the rugby season just starting it impinges on the spring growing season so that grass is being trampled just at the time it should be sprouting.* *My expertise is gleaned solely from watching Gardeners World.

I thought this debate had been done to death. I'm a long time season ticket holder and just can't envisage sufficient take up to make this viable. By all means try to attract any locals who don't already come, whatever their race, creed or colour, but our fan base is down to about 3500 and I can't see it increasing by more than 20-25% whatever offers are made or our league position. Rochdale tried something similar this season and the take-up was pretty poor. They revised their target down several times and were still well short. We wouldn't get 10,000 home fans if they were paid a fiver every game.

Would swap Pringle for Gardner on above selections. I liked Gardner early season but he looks burnt out to me. Think a fortnight off might do him good and also help Pringle get up to speed.

Can remember him in one home game giving a centre half ten yards start to a through ball from my favourite player at the time Alan McNeill. As the defender looked round at him he eased off only to put a spurt on, beat the player to the ball and crash it miles over the bar. Was a great time to watch Latics after struggling in the 4th Division for several years as literally goals came from all over the pitch. I still see Keith Bebbington, who looks about ten years younger than he actually is, for a chat at Belle Vue dogs.

I thought that was at Notts County after dribbling round their keeper and putting it wide.

Didn't he score a hat trick in the snow at BP on his second debut ? May be wrong....usually am !

To be fair to Dummigan he got no protection from Byrne and was a lot better when McLaughlin swapped flanks. Agree with others saying we need two upfront. Davies perked up when we went to two. And on a positive note (Rigsby and co.try this ....just for a change) the lad from Wolves had a promising debut and should start next match.

Welcome to Oldham, Abdallah !!

It's held a lot of us back.

I've watched him picking people up at corners and free kicks........ he doesn't ! Maybe he was moved upfront because of this.

Thought Bobby was pretty good, for a red, and Jack was fairly steady.

I don't know if you actually go to matches but his passing is very adequate for the tasks he is asked to do. It's a team game and he has his part to play i.e. "get it and give it to someone who has a range of passes" (e.g. Jack Byrne). A team full of Fanes would be as effective as a team full of Byrnes.

The point being it's holding up his progress into first team football. Apparently when he's had a chance off the bench he's played quite well and looked a natural finisher. When a new manager comes into a club he invariably signs players he "knows" usually to the detriment of the existing ones chances. It doesn't look too good when you talk your chairman into signing someone then they're kept on the sidelines by a kid from the youth set-up.

A very good prospect, according to my Rovers supporting mate, whose only been held back by Mowbray's insistence on starting players he's signed.

McLaughlin was at his best when played inside, running off a centre forward. His poor crossing ability is a big drawback for a winger. He shares the same affliction as most of our players, he can't miss the first man when crossing.

When he was played as a pure right side attacking player last season his form dropped in my opinion. It's a lot easier to attack when the play's in front of you. As long as the right side midfield player covers his forward forays he is a great asset at this level. Byrne's failure to track back left him exposed quite a few times

I was sure it was George, and he played on the right side of defence.

Nephew I think.

The problem is they make it so bloody obvious what they're doing so seldom get away with it. Still think that if you make an attempt to get to the ball the ref is less likely to penalize you. You need to be clever when fouling, use your body not your hands, like Lee Hughes was. He used his arse and hips to push people off the ball and invariably got away with it.

Can't disagree with you there - he's been a major disappointment and I'm glad he's gone......with my best wishes !

Because it's the nice thing to do. I don't get this bad-mouthing players or ex-players unless they've done the dirty on us, ala Chris Porter.

Holloway's problem, like Tope, is that he snatches at most chances. Most goalscorers concentrate on getting their knee over the ball and hitting the target. Keeping on the move is also an integral part of goal-scoring which, unfortunately none of our strikers,including Davies, seem to possess. Our two current central strikers seem preoccupied with battling with their markers instead of battling to get away from them.

Offered nothing going forward, which is understandable because he hasn't a left foot so constantly turns inside. When we were pressing late in the second half with four attacking players upfront he lobbed the ball aimlessly forward to no-one in particular. Even when pressed into service as a right back last season he would advance to the halfway line, turn back and pass to Clarke. I don't expect him to bomb forward at his age but when he does get into an attacking position his crossing is usually terrible. In fact the whole team's crosses are pathetic, even Dummigan, who really impressed yesterday, invariably over-hits every time.