Whitts

1 hour ago, LightDN123 said:

Poor bench today 

....because the best available 11 are on the pitch

1 hour ago, yarddogs said:

Nothing that we didn’t already know 

Prefer to receive the facts rather than conjecture, assumption and rumour. 

4 minutes ago, Ryan said:

When a comfortable home defeat to a second-string Derby County side is classed as progress it's probably time to fold the club.

With 6 injured, it was a second string latics also.  

28 minutes ago, GlossopLatic said:

 

What makes you think that a season of finishing 15th and a new sign on 2 stands is somekind of base to build on?

If you read my post, it's about balancing the books this year and consolidation.  Finishing 15th with little or no debt would be a good start.  You have a better chance of attracting a decent player if you pay the wages on time and the facilities look decent.  OAFC needs to enhance its reputation right now and try to become a well run professional football club on and off field.  

The plywood fascia at one end and the scruffy roof on the chaddy was an embarrassment and needed to be sorted.  I believe the owner has listened to the fans and is trying to balance the books whilst improving the surroundings and put out a competitive team on the pitch. This is a project that will take longer than a season.  A year of stability is required to stop the decline and to provide a foundation to build upon.  Its the reality of our situation.

Maybe this is a sign (pardon the pun) that the club is progressing.

He will no doubt be reading all this chatter and relishing every moment.   he is a divisive character who has split opinion.  Time to draw a line under this one and focus on the players who now wear the shirt. 

6 minutes ago, archiecat said:

Easily pleased you lot, aren't you? 

May be a different story when you have watched him turn out a few times. 

 As you say, the majority will make a judgement after watching him play and not on someone else's opinion.  He looked decent to me against Preston.  

On 30/07/2018 at 11:30 PM, adamoafc said:

I know the Community trust is a charity and runs off limited funds. 

 

I was was thinking about starting a just giving page to see what we can raise as fans over the season. I’m happy to pay the just giving charge every month which works out about £15 + vat I think and donate some also. 

 

I know most fans will have had involvement with the community trust in some way or another over the years through schools or summer events but thought this is a way we could give something back. 

 

The packs are very limited in numbers and aren’t cheap so the trust could do with our help. 

 

Fund raising through schools, sponsored walks any way of raising funds really!  Anything that you can do to provide something back to the trust which supports the young and new fans coming to BP. 

 

Before I start a just giving page what are people’s ideas on it? Happy for all suggestions. 

I am happy to contribute towards this great idea

3 minutes ago, astottie said:

if we cant have hope 4 days before the season starts then god help us. I find it peaks at 2.55pm on the first day of the season especially if we are playing at home and i'm walking down the Sheepfoot Lane. however it's usually dissipated by 3.45. there have been a couple of anomalies. Cardiff home around 1985 springs to mind. 2 up after five minutes and going to storm the league. Drew 2 a piece. it's the hope that kills ya

Every fan of every club feels the same way. Around  30% will be going home, growling at the wife and kicking the dog before venting their anger on their respective forums.  It's my religion and I shall be there Saturday praying for a win.

5 minutes ago, maximus1267 said:

Just can't see Bunn playing one up top.

An experienced head partnered with Surridge for me

Nice to have options.

7 minutes ago, steveecky said:

It’s hard to feel positive about two strikers with a combined total of 11 goals in 167 appearances since 2014. At least Benteke is young enough to improve.

Benteke has lots to learn and could come good alongside an experienced striker.  I am satisfied that FB knows a decent striker and I am happy to accept his decision to give him a contract.  If the lad from Bournemouth comes too, it's a good mix of youth and experience to start the season.

There will be many games when you need a target man to hold up the ball just to take the pressure off.  He may not be prolific but he is good at shielding the ball and bringing others into the game.   I think we still need someone to score the goals but O'Grady can do a job alongside a Baxter, Benteke or the lad from Bournemouth (If he signs).  Let's not write him off just yet.

5 minutes ago, bozman said:

Do you really still think he’s a good player? I would place him in the catategory of he was a good player when he could be arsed to keep himself fit and his body in good shape. Pity is he’s not been in any good shape now for a couple of seasons. You cannot rely on your past performance when you are a footballer. You have to be judged on your current form and I am sorry to say he’s not been in good form for a long time now. Clarke is older but more fit than Gerrard will ever be.

This is my view too.  Credit where fredit is due, he did a good job when he first came and shored up a leaky defence under Sheriden which helped us stay up. Looking at the players we now have, I think we have strength in this area with a good blend of youth and experience.  With all his off field antics and average on field ability recently, the time is right for him to move him on.  He is on a decent wage here which, in my opinion, should be freed up to strengthen the forward line.  Personally, a couple of good additions up front and we have the makings of a decent squad for this level.  It's a glass half full for me.

2 minutes ago, GlossopLatic said:

With regard to Clarke yes he looks after himself well but he will be 37 at the end of the season is he going to stand upto the rigours of a 50 game season in league 2?

Clarke will have to be carefully managed without question.  I just think we have enough cover at the back and Gerrard moving on will free up a wage to bring in a striker where we seem to lack strength.

7 minutes ago, robboman said:

Has Clarke ever been out of shape tho?

Clarke has  looked good in pre season.  Its my opinion of course, but I think we have enough strength at centre back that we can offload Gerrard. Clarke offers more for me both on and off the field and the right character to mentor the younger players.  I would say that neither come close to the qualities offered by Gregan in his spell at the club.  However that was the past and it is the coming season that matters now and getting a team together to get us promoted.  I wish him well if he moves on and hope the saved wage will allow us to bring in a decent striker instead.

4 minutes ago, josh_latics said:

Quite liked Gerrard (and Davies). 

 

Would be interested in seeing what the general consensus was 6 months ago when we got rid of "legs have gone" Clarke and kept AG. 

Clarke has returned lean and fit.  Early season friendlies would indicate he is back something like the player of 2 seasons ago.  If I had to choose, I would go with Clarke who seems more of a role model and the type of character required  to move the club forward both on and off the pitch.  Gerrard has been a decent servant, particularly for Shez, but time for him to move on and free up a wage.

I think he did a job for us particularly first time round.  IMO he tightened up a leaky defence and helped us stay up.  However, last season he was part of a disgruntled group, probably with good reason if rumours are believed, which resulted in relegation.   We have strength in this area and so probably the right time for both parties to move on.  His wage is better spent strengthening the forward line for me.  Good luck to him if he does go to Carlisle.  

Lots of positives for me. Energetic performance against a good championship team who have invested significantly into their team.  

1 hour ago, mcfluff1985 said:

No petrol for the mowers. No ink for the printers. What next

No goals for the opposition....

28 minutes ago, the_mighty_bosh said:

Looking at that squad I'd say that we are sorted for defenders and central midfielders.  Add a right midfielder, minimum of two strikers (ideally three) and possibly a keeper and winger (who can play either side) and I think we'll be set.

I think a few would heed to be shipped out first.  A decent striker for our level is a must have, anything more and happy days.

Crowdfunding opportunity - there are 3 of my family with Season Tickets - so would contribute £300.

Any update on the trialists who played.  How was O'Grady.

15 minutes ago, oafcmetty said:

Brian Wilson and Jason Taylor both signed for Barrow

Good luck to Brian Wilson. A steady performer who gave it all when he played. Not as skilled as others in the team but had they given the same lvel of effort, we may not be where we find ourselves.

5 minutes ago, deyres42 said:

It is possible to have a good season individually whilst being part of a team that is relegated.

He only played twice due to injuries.  He brings experience to the midfield.  If he can avoid injuries will be a useful addition.  If we can add a couple of decent strikers, and a wide man i think we have a competitive squad. IMO, we can lose an experienced CB, to concentrate on his social media, to free up some wages to fund an addition or too.