ChrisRichard

I think the original post is well written and spot on. Most of our players are young men and boys at the start of thier career. Some of these boys have joined Latics to start their journey into being a football player, our captain Maouche included. The fact is they've been sold a dream. The dream to get on the ladder at a football league club. They are going to sign, baring in mind that some have played at clubs where it hasn't worked for them at a different level. For some, this is their shot at making it, ie we maybe their last port of call. I didn't see what happened at the end of the Bradford game, I didn't experience it first hand but what I've read and seen videos of is disgraceful at full time. How can someone grab and threaten a young lad who has tried his hardest in a crap situation (Desire). How can someone threaten a player that IMHO has been one of the better players signed by this dictatorship (Nepo). On top of this, a fan gets knocked out by a fellow 'fan' for what? Most people don't seem to know. The players are the front line, customer facing people of the club, yes. But they haven't chosen to be the human shield of the puppet masters above. We are Oldham fans. As far as I'm aware, most of us are not feral. The anger can not be and should not be directed at fellow fans or, as much as it's infuriating to watch, the kids on the pitch. I'm angry, very angry at the state of affairs at our club. I've had a pop in social media but I'm coming to realise getting angry with the players is not going to solve anything. The anger generated lies solely with those who have put everyone in an awful, toxic, pressured situation. The Lemsagam brothers, not those young men that play for the club.

Completely forgot about Jonny.

Yes! Finally OUR goal keeper! The loans have been great but what we now have is a position we hopefully won't have to start all over again with next year. Welcome Gary.

I will once again hold back any judgement or bile until I've seen the appointment of his head coach and seen the calibre of player he brings in. If this is indeed a three year plan o get us into league 1 I expect the latter to be similar recruitment to previous seasons. The former, AL has said himself that the guy needs to produce results to stay in a job. Hopefully who ever AL brings in will catch on and stays the long haul. Until recruitment starts I really can't say whether this interview has any value or not.

I'd put my 6 year old in charge before Clark. My lad knows more about tactics already. I would rather burn than have that orange, Jordie, walking tooth whitening advert, prune.

Talk about bare bones. If we lose Nepo and Edmunson on top of that too we have the makings of a bottom half team, not one challenging to go up! Clarke is a huge miss. I'd say he had a year left in him and once again would have been the standout model pro. Deserves more than to just be binned off with out an utter if a word of thanks. Baxter and Gardener are two I expected to go thanks to injury and wage but I think still could have done a job. I hope AL has extensive recruitment plans in in place although, sadly I'm not holding my breath.

Stick a collar on both of these shirts and they'd look great. They look good though. And nice to have a retro esq kit manufacturer too.

I'm sure I've read that Lang has now returned to Wigan.

It's not a terrible draw, at least it's a PL side. Could have been Doncaster or Rotherham...

Glad we got through that. Team set up to buy a win back fired. I usually like an underdog but the dive f#@ked it for them. Glad we sat them down.

Won't be long until Bunn goes now. We are in an identical position to last season. I'm sick of the shit show. There is going to be noone of any quality coming in to manage us, AL isn't going to find a spare 5 million quid down the back of the settee anytime soon to pour into the January window. AL will probably release a few more generic copy and paste statements inbetween now and then but won't address any of the issues we feel as fans. I'm seriously dredding who the new guy in charge is going to be. AL himself perhaps?!

The timing of the statement is a pre-emptive defence on the backlash he's going to receive from all quarters for the sacking of Andy Rhodes who is popular amongst both players and fans. I'm really uneasy about all this. I'm expecting Bunn to be next after Saturday. The question is, what is AL's plan if Bunn goes? It better be a bloody good one.

I agree at this point. I'd actually say it's worse! I too thought it would bring positive change but it is starting to look.as though we've been sold down the river.

Would suggest Bunn is next. How the hell is this productive? We've got a game tomorrow!

What the actual F in hell is going on?! This is absolutely not what is needed right now.

I don't think it was as bad as some are making out. Cheltenham didn't really do anything, Iverson didn't have to make a save which we restricted them to. We looked solid defensively even before the sending off. We pinged the ball about well and made some dencent runs out wide to cross but we werent always sharp enough to shoot when we probably should have done. Our issue is playing the one up front. Which, granted changed when Millar and Benteke came on. I think Bunn needs to be braver with his selection up top. CoG is not to be used as a solo striker and Baxter can not play off him, this has to change otherwise we have a 5 man midfield and a 5 man defence.

I'm absolutely at a loss today. Why in the hell would you play 4-5-1 at home against a team who is hemoraging goals more than my IBS suffering arse when I've had too much garlic bread?! I'm sure Surridge is on a 'No play at home' contract. I'm fuming and I'm normally a glass half full fan. What the F is going on?

Called 'Boyo'

AL has come out and has effectively offered an explanation to what had been going on and has defended himself against a barrage of accusations that he's not up to and cannot afford to run the football club. The fact is, he has spent £3m to clear debts, debts that appear to have been crippling us. With out that, there is no Oldham Athletic. He's cut back on the buget, presumably to keep us with in our means, an indication that he has learned that splashing silly money on silly players doesn't quite work the way he thought it would. He said it himself that he's playing for sustainability. Personally, I'd be happy in the first instance to get our house in order this season, even if it means mid table this year and then come back swinging next year. I think this season was always going to be a season for overhaul and regeneration. Just think, if AL can spend the sort of money he has reputedly spent on straightening out debts, what could he do if we have been running debt free for a year?

By all accounts, we didn't get drilled we had chances and knocked it about a bit. Baxter carries a massive threat and will destroy teams when he's fully back. Our strikers were more at the races, Benteke could have scored in the first half. O'Grady was winning stuff and trying to give advantage. Branger was encouraging. As was our young defence, albeit not closing down Mount for the second. I'd take this as a positive. We seem to be making progress, just have to apply that on Saturday.

Superb detail. Keep up the good work.

I'm happy with Miller. Good impact sub whom many a defender won't like facing when knackered. Could score a few. Least we have options up front for a change.

Lee Bowyer- Community and race relations manager.

I'm suffering withdrawal.

I've not seen is play yet. We do sound more organised. Am going on Saturday though so will have more of a feel of where we are up to.