League one forever

You can’t compare Guy. Alty and us have two totally different expectations and rightly so. Parky got time, because they were happy to consolidate for a few years. We want promotion asap. The better comparison is to say- would Mellon get time if he finished 7th 5th 3rd- and the answer is unequivocally- yes. This season he has failed to meet the boards and his own publicly admitted expectations. He needs to rectify that quickly.

Mmmm. I think he’s started to unravel, but let’s hope a break does him good.

Good post. Mellon said that Lundy has struggled playing for a big club in the division, and he wasn’t alone. I think you’re right and that applies to managers as well. The challenge of big club in a small pond is too big for a lot of them. I know wasn’t this division. But the only two managers who I’ve felt didn’t seem fazed or under pressure, and consistently looked to galvanise was Dowie and Johnson, surprise surprise both left for bigger jobs. The rest fall into- come in with varying past records - look full promise, then quickly unravel citing- budgets, false promises, what they inherited, defending poor runs. After a while longer they look completely haunted in post match pressers. The closet I’ve seen to Dowie or LJ down here is Williamson, I don’t think anyone else touches him. (For up and coming, can handle a big club, doesn’t seem fazed)

Note to all. Eyrsey loved David Dunn because he was young and progressive. Rumour has it, he set up the first Oldham Athletic Ritchie Wellens Fan Club- but it was disbanded after relegation. His record on knowing a manager and getting the big calls right is unprecedented.

Yeah. What’s your point. . ?

All I’m saying is- it’s easy to advocate for time- until results are poor.

For all those saying give him time- I will await your response if it’s piss poor after ten games next season. . . We all want continuity - but it must come with something tangible. No manager can sustain poor results in the name of ‘give it time’

Re - writing history there. What you had, was posters offering balance to poor football at home. We talked about away form - because it was very good at that time. We talked about the form table- because at that time it was very good.

Yep- totally agree. You’ve then got the new guy - who can say, none of these are my players. .

It’s easy to be wise after the event. . At the time you posted that, we were in the playoffs and the away form was propping up the very poor home form. In numerous games we created chances and played some decent stuff at times- especially away from home. His PPG was good, and overall he was doing well. Since then our form has completely collapsed, we don’t look like scoring, we create very little, and the football is getting worse. I didn’t agree with you then, for the reasons above. But things have changed, and at this time I now agree with you that he has failed this season. If he moulds things in the summer and we start like a house of fire, he gets more time and my backing. If this form carried on- he goes. Opinions change on results.

Yeah, this is where I am. I’m saying giving him the summer - more out of hope than belief.

Yeah, it’s a good point. Take out whether Mellon should stay or go. The next guy is left with same problems. I suppose it comes down to, do we believe that with a summer to mould things Mellon will kick us on. . . ?

I agree with you- no manager can ask for time if results aren’t good enough against the agreed expectation. However, I still think he gets the summer and then we look at it again after ten games. Are you saying- sack him now?

You said it with conviction - which as anyone knows- is all that matters. The actual meaning is irrelevant.

Good post- very balanced. I don’t think expecting playoffs with our budget is unrealistic though. The standard to finish 7th isn’t great, Unsworth took us from bottom four to top half after 3 wins in 17. We’ve had two awful runs this season and can still mathematically get in the playoffs. As you say- reality is a harsh mistress. No manager gets time if they don’t get results or you see progress. He has 1 win in 11. If we start poorly next season, he’s rightly under massive pressure.

My feeling is- even with the new players we’ll carry on being inconsistent, that’s ok if the performances are good. If we start throwing in horror shows early doors I can’t see him lasting long.

It’s a bit of both. He’s come in to an inconsistent side with no width or pace and we don’t create for him. And He hasn’t helped the situation with his attitude. The net result is- the move hasn’t worked out as we all hoped it would.

. . while muttering expletives to myself.

I think you’re spot on. In the Pantheon of footballers - is Sheron class? No. Do you need better - yes. In this team over the last two years has he been the best of bad bunch- definitely.

That’s a lot more fair.

. . and yet he’s contributed more than all of them put together.

Yeah. . I’m struggling. .

Are you seriously suggesting that our third top goal scorer is the reason we aren’t in the playoffs?

No problem with that, he has his limitations and we need better, but he’s the best of a bad bunch and by no means shit.

Think like meeeee! We’re talking about the midfield. . not the squad, but to answer your completely irrelevant point about your fan boy- I don’t criticise Norwoods ability, I criticise his attitude. On Sheron. Players player of the year last season. Most appearances of any player this season. 3rd highest goal scorer. Contributed more goals and assists than other MIDFIELDER - bar none. But yeah, he’s shit. Laughable comment. I get rid of every single midfielder before Sheron- and only then I’d replace him for better.