alangroves

I`ll always be back to watch the Latics but find it very hard to take any positives from losing at home to a bottom of the table side down to 10 men - or am I missing something? As I have posted on another thread - this ain't a blip - we've actually lost 6 out of our last 10 games - think about that !

Reading some of the threads, fans are saying the likes of "no problem, just a blip, only 2/3 games" etc. Think you need to step back and consider that we have actually lost 6 games in the last 10 (I'm not bothered if they are cup or league or lost on penalties - these are facts). We`ve only won 2 out of those 10. That is not a blip! The slide has been happening for a while - and co-incides exactly with the departure of Paul Murray as first team coach (sorry to repeat that but it's a fact too!)

IceStationLatic - it's not 3 games mate - we've now lost 4 on the bounce - conceding 14 goals in the process and scoring one - you've got to be some optimist to just persist with the old 'dust ourselves down' comment after that recent run of results - you sound like a manager - lol !

must simply be a complete co-incidence then that, since Murray's departure, Latics have deteriorated. Dean Holden came in on 14/11/14 - obviously needs a couple of weeks to get his feet under the table and start to influence his coaching style so we'll take from December as being under his influence - since when we've lost every game, conceding 14 goals and scoring one. Hope it is simply co-incidence

We have lost our last 4 games and in the process we have conceded 14 goals and scored 1 - if that does not constitute wheels falling off then I have no idea what does!

Controversial I know, but I would sell Forte ASAP. People may think he's some kind of striker on the basis of his goals tally to date - you are quite correct, however, in that he clearly isn't. I think teams have sussed him now i.e. gave him space to run into and he's dangerous - close mark him - totally ineffective. Ibehre is infuriating and clearly ain't going to score many goals - and I don't care if he holds the ball up well - so what? - for whom? Need a clearout of ineffective strikers but I can't really see a way forward out of this rut at the mo

Having had time to digest what has been a horrendous few weeks, capped by a home loss to a poor side today, does anyone really believe we are still in with a shout of the play-offs? I see people still mentioning it regularly on other threads and I find it unbelievable. When I observe the team playing over the past few weeks, it is obvious to a blind man with a stick that we are nowhere near good enough. We were reasonable for a little while and, in my opinion, something has then gone on which has really upset the apple cart. Personally, I suspect the departure of Paul Murray as first team coach has had a detrimental effect but I know others disagree. Whatever the reason for our spectacular demise of late, it is very sad. Today was one absolute last chance to persuade a few floating supporters - and we failed again, as has so often been the case in the past.

It's not just a true striker we need - there needs to be a much better contribution goals-wise from around the team. I cast an envious glance at Rochdale - far less resource than us but with a much more resilient all round team who have scored 10 more goals than us - and not in the habit of getting stuffed out of sight (even drew 2-2 at MK Dons away with a depleted side the week we played them).

As positive as I would like to be, in my opinion, the wheel has well and truly fallen off - in very spectacular style - in the past few weeks. In reality, any Latics team today should have been chomping at the bit to go out and steamroller Crewe. They didn't - we lost at home to 10 men - and there is no excuse. Season over in my view - I`ll stick by them as always but prepare for a very difficult second half of the campaign.

You could find about 50 big lads who hold the ball up well in none league if that's the criteria you are measuring - which a lot seem to do regarding this player - seems a really good job to me - getting paid to 'hold the ball up' - if, however, you want a striker that can actually score some goals - it's a simple decision - get rid - and add Poleon to that too - got all the right attributes but couldn't hit a barn door for us. It's a worry because when Forte dries up (and teams are finding out that if you close mark him he's ineffective) don't know where the goals are coming from.

Good post - enjoyed reading it - and certainly brought some memories back. Very difficult to compare because, in football terms, we are talking about 2 completely different eras. In my opinion, Latics will never experience the Joe Royle 'pinch me' days ever again. It was a complete one off - at his best he was a genius, being able to pick up the likes of Earl Barrett for buttons, develop him into a full England International and sell him for £1.7M - simply incredible. Many players became household names and are legends in our history - Paul Warhurst, Ian Marshall, Andy Ritchie, Denis Irwin, Ricky Holden etc etc. Your point about giving managers time is very valid and, personally, I like LJ - though he has much to learn. Joe Royle had an illustrious career as a player and could, therefore, attract players simply via his charisma and pedigree. His contacts in the game were also phenomenal. We are at a pivotal point in our history. We simply have to get out of this division because we are in danger of stagnating in it forever if we don't. My fear is that the town will never truly get behind its team again (as it did in Joe's era) and that, ultimately, will be our undoing. LJ is an intelligent and genuine fella - stick with him - and here's hoping.

It hasn't killed your theory - it's a theory so doesn't matter if cup or league - each is still a game. Basically, we were near as damn it 2 points a game for the 9 before Paul's departure - and 1 point a game thereafter. Very interesting and a phenomenal difference if taken over a season. Perhaps more interesting, is that it takes a little time for a previous incumbent's influence to wear off i.e. the Murray magic will have sprinkled for a little while after his departure. IF we are now seeing reality without him, then that is ominous. I genuinely hope I`m wrong but it is a theory I have held for a while - I sent a letter to the Chron about it after the Yeovil defeat but don't think they wanted to entertain any possible criticism of Dean Holden at such an early stage. I don't like criticising too much myself tbh but this is an honestly held belief - I would get Paul Murray back tomorrow personally.

I`ve just seen a comment on the Chron's website from some plastic Manc in Saddleworth deriding the Latics. I`m out with my sniffer dog shortly (trained to detect plastic explosives so he should find a Saddleworth Manc) to have a word with him. On a serious note, now is the time the team really needs our support. At the risk of my third divorce, I`ve press-ganged the missus and my son-in-law (who is a Huddersfield fan!) to come with me to BP on Boxing Day. That's 2 people who don't normally go, meaning an extra £44 for the cause. Wouldn't it be great if everyone could recruit at least one extra person to go with them to this match - sing our heads off, create a great atmosphere and stuff Crewe out of sight? It would show our faith in SC/LJ in what they are trying to achieve - they have worked ever so hard with limited resources - come on fans - spread the word!

Totally agree - in fact, I have told my missus she is going to BP with me whether she likes it or not on Boxing Day because we need the support. I`m also working on my son-in-law who is here for the festive period (and he's a Huddersfield fan!). Come on supporters - now is the time when your team TRULY needs you.

Murray departed before Bristol City away - in the 9 games since then, we have Lost 4, Drawn 3 and Won 2. In the 9 games prior to that we Won 4 and Drew 5.

Dean Holden was appointed as first team coach to replace Paul Murray. Think Tommy Wright is 'assistant manager' or something (yes too many cooks can spoil a broth for sure!)

I don't believe in refunds but the sad part really is that Latics home support is very fragile. It takes a very long run of good form for people (ever so slowly) to start to come back and watch. Getting knocked out of 2 cups and getting utterly annihilated in the last 2 games just sends us right back to square one. I knew a couple of people who hadn't been for a while were planning to go against Crewe - they've now decided to go out to the pub for the day instead. Some might say "part time supporters - who needs them?" - well - we do and that is the harsh reality of recent results - lost revenue which only leads to one thing eventually.

Granted - there are some excellent managers who have not been class players. As someone who has played at a lower level, though, I just think to myself, "Yes please I`d love to learn from Paul Murray" and absolutely "No, thank you - you can keep Dean Holden". He infuriated me as a player and no matter what courses he has been on nobody will ever convince me he is up to the job of coaching. Time will tell - hopefully not at Latics' expense. We were just starting to build up a head of steam - and it really has evaporated in spectacular style. It's pretty daft going on about being so close to play-offs etc. We are simply relying on 'points banked' at present - our performance levels have plummeted like lead through water - need to get to the bottom of why VERY QUICKLY or we'll be down to 2,200 core support - that would be disastrous.

I don't BLAME Paul Murray (or Hartlepool for that matter - though disgraceful how they treated him) because he would just wish to better himself as anyone would. I do feel. however, that we should have done everything in our power to keep him. When he played for us, he was simply the best on the park week in week out - a true midfield maestro with bundles of energy. I honestly thought our 'good' football when he was here was a reflection of his ethos and guile. Dean Holden was completely one dimensional and often the cause of us conceding goals with his lack of awareness and pace. Would never have been my choice - simply on the basis that you've got to have 'walked the walk' to 'talk the talk' and Dean Holden never did.

If we are honest with ourselves, our performances have been deteriorating for a while. The Rochdale result (against a severely depleted side) flattered us - an average performance eclipsed by the great support and sense of occasion. Now, my own thoughts concern the subsequently ill-fated departure of Paul Murray. He was an absolute class act as a player and will undoubtedly have exerted much influence behind the scenes with the squad. Personally, I said 'oh no' to myself when they announced Dean Holden as his replacement. Nothing against the fella but he was a very pedestrian defender for Latics years ago and simply is not in the same league 'football wise' as Paul Murray. Might it just be the case that the 'Murray magic' is now missing? Not saying it's the total reason but you cannot lose someone of his calibre without there being some detriment.