Fan up the ladder

I also read that, at http://www.htafc.com/page/PreMatchComments/0,,10312~2567200,00.html Nathan Clarke must be gutted if there's no chance of him returning - could have been Anfield, instead it's Adams Park...

Didn't go so can't comment on our tactics although I did see some angry tweets from Charlton fans afterwards. One said something like "It must be a real joy to watch Oldham, one of the dirtiest, scummiest teams around." I felt like tweeting back "Two words: Christian Dailly" but decided not to rise to the bait. It seems we are a bit of a bogey side for them now and like you say I think it all stems from that 0-0 draw under Penney when to be fair that's probably what we went for. If they think we are dirty, I wonder what they'll think of Sheffield Wednesday. But in some ways it's nice that liccle Oldham are pissing someone off for once, and they can't take away our point!

I was hoping he was going to make a big impact this season but it's not happened. That Huddersfield game last season when he tore them apart seems like a long time ago. But we've seen already this season that with injuries and suspensions that players need to come in and take their chance, which most have done, and would you drop Parker after the other night? I wouldn't. Morais is just going to have to knuckle down and prove his worth when his chance comes, like we've seen with Black, Clarke, Adeyemi etc recently.

Problem is, despite all of this, the law of Latics says they'll probably give us a good kicking on Saturday with Allott and Whitaker having blinders and Leon Clarke bagging one.

Yep sent them down in the D**e P*****y era, 2-2 draw at BP which also kept us up. M'voto scored for them.

Initial reaction was that it was a pen but that the ref was absolutely miles away so how could he have a clear view of it? Watching it on the football league like others have said it does looked extremely soft. Cisak was in a crouching position rather than sprawling at the feet of Bishop. But it seems like Clarke could have got it clear and Cisak could have come out earlier, and then it would have been avoided. The thing that really p1ssed me off though was earlier on when Cisak was blatantly clattered into as he punched the ball away, and the ref gave nothing. Although we started badly even with 11 v 11, that set the tone in terms of the ref's performance.

Given the fairly quiet board recently I thought I'd start a new topic. Furman's return to the side has strengthened us massively IMO. He's been involved in four of the last five goals and Wesolowski seems to have upped his game since Furman's return too. Plus, he's shown no ill effects from his injury. This is the last year of his 3-year deal I think and the board need to get him signed up ASAP. I can see him playing in the Championship next year, just hope if we do let him go it's not for a pittance.

I've signed up to a fiver a month recently (I know it's not much but as Latics players' favourite Tesco says, every little helps) and am working on a friend at the moment to do likewise. Every time he scores you can feel as if you contributed to that goal more than ever before!

Can you mark that picture of P****y as censored please?! It's brilliant to see Dickov's passion and enthusiasm. As for the highlights, it wasn't much apart from the three goals and one MK Dons chance was it? Typical of those BBC highlights though.

I could be wrong about this, but was the last time we won at home on Sky the victory over Port Vale, 2-1, where Eyres and I think Killen scored with an overhead kick, and England also qualified for a major tournament that weekend too. A little bit of history repeating?

It was a similar situation at Leeds when Somma announced he was injured on Twitter before any official announcement, and Grayson banned them all after that. Hope Diallo can step up to the plate.

On the subject of the original post, this from a Bradford ST holder from work (echoes some of what was said on their own message board): He’s ok. The trouble with him at Bradford was Peter Taylors game bypassed the midfield a lot so he could disappear in games. He seemed to do better once Taylor went. I think his season at Bradford will have done him good though and I would expect him to push on this season. I’d predict him to be the type of player to get around a 6.5/7 in nine games out of every ten games. I guess hes someone I’d describe as “steady away”. Not a game changer, just a standard all rounder.

I don't get why, if it is Kuqi, it all has to be done at the last minute on deadline day. He's been a free agent since the end of last season so in theory could have signed for someone at any point, and still could after the deadline passes. I also saw something on his Twitter account a while ago saying if he couldn't find a club soon, he'd retire. Having said that, hope he does sign though!

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~2437653,00.html

It is 30 league games, not counting the play-off games, since they lost, at Southampton. So not sure where the 34 comes from.

Wilbraham has local connections. His in-laws are from Royton and Latics fans I think. Not that that's likely to persuade him to take a huge premier league-sized paycut mind.

Morais has just gone all Joey Barton on us, quoting all sorts of stuff: filipemorais7 filipe morais Hatreds not vowed and concealed are to be feared more than those openly declared.... filipemorais7 filipe morais Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. ~ Aristotle Let's hope he's got just as much fight in him as Barton. Matt Smith's on there now too, @mattjpsmith

It is, but at least he's said it. It contradicts what he's said in the past a little bit about the smaller, tighter squad and us having more quality this year than last year, but I'm glad he has said it as hopefully he's realised what most posters on this board have. Although we're never going to have 4k-a-week players I think some of the Stephens money needs reinvesting in a couple of players with experience and who have played at a higher level (there seems to be plenty available).

Winchester looked good in central midfield the other night and will be an able deputy there Wesolowski should get better with fitness Parker's pace and versatility will be a useful asset I think the main positive is that Dickov himself has expressed his dissatisfaction with the two performances so far and is determined to put it right. He could have been defensive because this is his team now, not an inherited one. He's under scrutiny following the first two games especially after the bad run last season but you just hope his own personal disappointment will mean he's more determined to get it right, and that he will.

Phew! That's good news. Given the lightness of the squad, even if Reid and Smith start tomorrow, this should give us a very useful option from the bench.

Hudds and Charlton have both strengthened again today - Town have signed Anton Robinson from Bournemouth and Charlton got Hamer, keeper from Reading and Andy Hughes. Three ex-Latics in their squad now. Can't see past those two teams for automatic promotion.

no commentary unfortunately, again it was beyond the club's control as far as I know and they will do their best to sort it out for Tuesday. Looked decent though Blackpool came more into it late in the half, they have 22 subs apparently so it's going to be a bit farcical 2nd half!

See my post above, we are supposed to be broadcasting but the link hasn't been put up by the webhosts - can't speak publicly for the club but they requested this in advance and it's not the fault of the club. We are trying to sort it out but apologies for the problems. Still 1-0, still looking good going forward, Gilks has made 3 or 4 saves, Reid with a couple of decent chances. Taylor looks well up for it.

1-0 indeed, point blank header from a Black cross. Looking good. Reid has just had a decent chance saved by Gilks. Sorry about the lack of commentary for anyone trying to listen, they are trying to sort it out!