Worcester Owl

I agree with this. What you don’t say, but must be a contributory factor, is that in all probability your semi pro raised your collective level - it’s a team game, and he couldn’t have won the league by himself. It’s a pity that Norwood can’t have a similar influence when games aren’t going well. The rest of the team would surely learn from and benefit from a player of his skill and experience. We might even string a few wins together eventually!

Guaranteed goals implies a goal (or more) per game. So not guaranteed.

Yes, Mainoo already looks the real deal, a superb prospect. He already seems mature beyond his years, reminds me of Jude Bellingham in that respect. Great players always seem to have more time somehow, and Mainoo as you say looks like he has a great future.

Yes, they made a good comeback to be fair! This league can certainly deliver on goals/entertainment, but I so want us to get out of it!

You bloody undercover Citeh fan you!!

We won 4 away games in the league in Nov/Dec 2020. 21 Nov Exeter away won 2-1 24 Nov Barrow away won 4-3 5 Dec Cambridge away won 2-1 19 Dec Newport away won 4-2 On 8 Nov we beat Hampton & Richmond 3-2 away in the FA Cup 1st round, 10 Nov won 3-2 at Bradford in the EFL Trophy and 28 Nov we beat Bradford away 2-1 in the FA Cup 2nd round. So 7 away wins in a row including the EFL Trophy/FA Cup.

It's a 90 minute game, Brian. Well, often 100 + minutes these days.

er.......(cough)

Given the tidal wave of shock over our line up, I fully expect us to win 2-0.

Sky Sports app the same. Shambles.

Well, the BBC Sport website has surpassed itself. It's currently showing Norman playing up front, and 3 subs, Willoughby, Fondop and Hope.

On a more general point though, I do hope at some point, maybe towards the end of the season if we miss out on the play offs, MM will try out some of the youth team players. For a club at our level bringing through our own youngsters has to be a central ambition. I know it's another universe and it was towards the end of the game, but AC Milan were happy to bring on a 17 year old the other night against Newcastle in a big CL game, for whom Lewis Miley, the same age, has been playing well. If you're good enough, you're old enough - at any level.

Ha that reminds me of the quote somebody (Sir Kenneth Cork?) made years ago - he said if he walked into a corporate HQ and saw lots of marble in the reception area, he suspected the business was on thin ice!

I don't think it needs to be seen as desperate. As it happens, I'm with you in that I would be bloody annoyed if my tips weren't being responded to - even an acknowledgement would be something, and if that basic minimum doesn't happen, that's poor and unprofessional. As said above, the club should at least have the courtesy to acknowledge your recommendations even if they don't follow them up for whatever reason. Of course people there may be busy and with the best will in the world not able to respond immediately, but it doesn't take too long to send an email/text/phone call to say thanks, we'll take a look. You have every right to feel disillusioned based on what you say you've experienced. Next time you highlight a player, why not point out previous tips who have gone on to thrive elsewhere. We all agree this squad is not where it needs to be, particularly given what the Rothwells have spent to date, and we can't afford to miss out on players with the potential to improve us.

BP can answer that, but I'll offer a suggestion - because he's a Latics fan as well as a scout.

Easy for me to say, but you must persevere, BP. Don’t wait for them to contact you, nag them if necessary and if you believe you have a real prospect. Don’t give up!

I can only imagine how frustrated you must be when that happens, but you mustn't let it stop you from making recommendations. MM may be more receptive than the previous manager, and if it helps you could fairly point to previous tips which have been ignored yet gone on to make the grade with other clubs.

Ally McCoist as well, a great character - born/brought up not too far from Glasgow.

Fair enough, good response . I think what bugs me is when it strays into unnecessary belittling of teams in the same league/lower as us (not that you made the milkmen comment).

It's the adjective I tend to think of when Steve Clarke pops up on TV. He rarely looks happy, even with Scotland doing better with him in charge!

Nice idea, but it's easier to donate whatever you can afford via Frank's just giving page and you can allow tax to be reclaimed as well, so I've done that. Also, if we don't win many games, your idea might not raise much!

I am baffled by this kind of patronising comment. Reeks of entitlement. We are a non league team ourselves and down here for a reason. We are 10th in the 5th tier and have good days and bad days. Mickleover are, what, 2 or 3 tiers below us? But 2nd in their league, having a good season and yesterday were not surprisingly up for maybe the biggest game in their club's history. I really don't see the point of belittling them as another stick to beat Latics with.

Lugubrious is a reasonably common word isn't it? Must admit I thought it was. Anyway like L1F I quite like coming across words I haven't seen before and/or don't know the meaning of. Life is an education.

When you make such a statement without descending to the depths of despair, let me know! Thanks.

You’re in danger of @GKing521 levels of pessimism!