Worcester Owl

I think we need the Sage of Blackpool back to provide some arm’s length objectivity. The problem for us as Latics fans is we can’t help but be subjective. @basilrobbie, where are you?

Yep, I was there too and I completely agree, it was a dreadful match. The only highlights were the thunder and lightning show, and seeing Frank!

That’s us stuffed then, cheers

Is it officially confirmed that Norwood is out until April? If so, he’ll be back raring to go at the business end of the season, and meanwhile we’re not short of strikers as others have pointed out.

It’s Hulme. And no, I didn’t go there!

Agreed. I despise Citeh for many reasons, but I can’t get worked up about this - and anyway it is a trial.

You were doing so well until that final sentence!

Ahem.

Well if we are sticklers for accurate facts, I can't help pointing out that BP didn't say that the match in question was at Maine Road.....

Any more plastic than Citeh and their glory hunting fans (those who turn up at the Emptihad, that is?) - who also run out to Hey Jude? Good luck to Brentford, seem to be a well run club and last time I checked they were facing over 100 fewer FFP breaches than Citeh.

Same here. They've got a lot to answer for though, it was watching them that cemented me as a lifelong fan!!

Yes I take your point, and if we were playing more attractive football and winning more often I'd definitely agree (and we might be on TV more often, a virtuous circle), but boy oh boy Saturday night was a hard watch.

The other thought I had during the game - at risk of stealing @BP1960's thunder ! - was how lightweight we seem, especially in midfield. The number of times we seemed to get brushed off the ball, or lose 50/50s, was really depressing.

Er, no. That was 90+ minutes of my life I'll never get back. A totally embarrassing performance, apart from maybe the first 10 minutes. The ball spent so much time in the air I started to wonder if it was a balloon. Why we have this craze for hoofball is completely beyond me. To try it now and again in a game as a change of tactic, fine. When it becomes obvious that your front men are winning zilch in the air, surely even players slow on the uptake can see it's not working and should try passing the bloody ball on the deck. It must be a lack of confidence, or basic lack of ability, or both. Plus points? Well, I suppose the new players still need some time to gel. Oh, and the defence did ok, though we rode our luck at times. I'm not entitled and I'm not going to show Ebbsfleet (who deserved to win) disrespect by calling them a pub team. But they are 22nd in the table for a reason, yet passed the ball around and created chances much better than we did.

Pick a multiscreen bar, you'll be up against Sheffield Utd v Villa. I know, proper football v the prima donna league, but not everyone will see it like that.....

I stood on the Kop for that game, figured it might be my one and only trip to Anfield (to date, it was!) so I was curious what it would be like. I remember the Jimmy Case goal very well, and being shoved about 20 feet forward after it! That Liverpool side won the European Cup only 3 months later. They were a hell of a side but we played really well on the day.

You'll court controversy with that name, cracking in defence though

Really interesting post, thanks. If the football pyramid is to mean anything then surely it's time that automatic promotion/relegation slots were standardised across all leagues. With the government finally showing an interest in the governance of football, I don't see how only 1 automatic promotion place from the NL can be justified, particularly if it enhances the financial risk to clubs. I know the EFL and NL have dropped hints about automatic promotion slots being increased, but it's time for less talk and more action. And yes, I'd feel the same way if we were back in the EFL!

Lots of options west of London now that the Lizzie Line runs from Reading. Well, as long as the train drivers aren't on strike.

The interview that George gave on Football Focus ahead of the 3rd round game v Stevenage was very moving, he talks about his late father. You can see what being the Maidstone manager and their Cup run means to him. As long as there are stories like his, football will never die.

He might stay over in the Caribbean for a bit after Saturday's disaster!!

I just support my team. Carp all you like if it makes you happy.

“Fanboys” You really know how to scrape a barrel, don’t you? So we shouldn’t get behind a manager who is a proven promotion winner? I thought @BP1960 was pretty negative with his anti-MM comments but you are in a class of your own.

Good post. My God there are some Jonahs on here. It’s like a Private Fraser fan club - we’re DOOOOOOOMED! Except we’re not. We just won 4 in a row and now today we screwed up. Somebody the other day posted that we are on the up, but will still hit the occasional banana skin, and today was one of those. We will finish in a play off spot and I am confident that MM will continue to improve this team. People need to remember that new players are still bedding in and getting used to each other. Everybody calm down, as the excellent dentist said in Django Unchained.

They deserve promotion for that!