Bristolatic

We definitely don't need another striker - we have enough now even if the injury jinx hits one or two. But think how many natural left footers we have - Crossley and Stam and that's it. But we now have Whitaker who could bag maybe 9 or 10 and possibly a few from Lee. Personally, I can see goals coming from everyone in front of the back four and the odd one from Gregan's or Hazell's nut (sorry about that) will help. If we end up using Eardley in midfield, I'd back him for a few as well. So, no, another striker we don't need. A genuine left sided midfielder / defender has to be the priority now and I reckon Livermore could still be the man.

Once the shirts are gone, he'll probably buy a camera with a flash. The yellow one's come out OK though. Oh no, not yellow. For God's sake, don't take a shot of the new baby sick yellow one with a flash - it'll ruin your eyesight for ever. :security:

............... or Guy Branston ................ or Mark Arber ................ or Mikel Antoine-Curier ............... or Richie Wellens God, you could go on for ever

Before we signed O'Grady, I would have said yes to Clarke, but he's not needed now. We have potentially 5 strikers for 2 starting slots, so a left back / left sided midfielder is much more of a priority. I'd like to see another centre back come in too.

Only just spotted this thread. Great work Guy, keep it going. For those of who live a bit more than a corner kick from BP and can only get there occasionally, this is a brilliant idea. Yes, it may need a bit of fine tuning, but we're talking about a kid who obviously loves Latics and wants to show an unfolding story (and a bit of history) for us all to share, not someone producing a MGM epic. Don't be put off Guy by those who will have a pop just because they can. You've definitely got me as a supporter. If I want to be really picky, take the ' out of videos on your signature.

Harsh but totally fair

No, but he is ugly.

I guess this is the sort of thread where there are so many different opinions but I wouldn't mind a punt at the following. Livermore (Hull), Idiakez (Southampton), Kennedy (Palace), Sherriff (Bin Dippers), Zaaboub (Swindon). If we were in the market for another striker, how about Price at Donny. Looked awesome in the play off semis. Surprised to see Igoe (Brizzle Rovers) and Murray (Brizzle City) in there - not seen anything in the local press, but either would be worth a long shot. And finally, how about Branston. OK, just my twisted sense of humour. I didn't mean it, honest.

Good point well made. You only have to look at what Shez has done with the kids. There are very few clubs who could have the season we did without a strong back up squad. OK, we faltered mid season, then lost a play off chance when it was there for the taking, but to achieve what we did with what we had was motivation, encouragement and confidence at its best. The very reasons why I honestly believe the signature below.

It's yellow, Jim, but not as we know it.

If he can hit 'em like that, especially cutting in from the right to give it some welly with his left peg, he can wear pink boots and dye his hair purple for all I care. And if the ginger winger can do the same from t'other wing and just keep it down a bit, that'll do for me. Of course, they could swap sides now again to mix it up a bit.

... and as long as those 358 stewards are still guarding the empty RRE, I shouldn't be more than 50 yards behind you if I can get my breath.

What a bunch of numpty brain donors. Their stupidity could have abandoned the game. Their stupidity certainly ruined the send off the players deserved. I felt embarrassed for them, having to take applause from about 200 people out of a crowd over 6000 home supporters. I just hope that some of the small minded eejits have the brains to be able to read this board and understand (if possible) that the genuine fans are disgusted with them and I'm pretty sure everyone at the club is too. Thank God Cheltenham didn't equalise in stoppage time, we would have looked even more stupid. And as for going to wind up the Cheltenham fans, I felt ashamed that I had travelled nearly 200 miles to BP to have it ruined by those who have no place at the club and will hopefully never come back. I suppose they will be back at school tomorrow like good little children, chests puffed out, saying "'Ere, guess wot I done Satdi. I gorron ter t' pitch and nearly buggered up t' afternoon." That is not a slight on the Oldham accent, I'm damned proud of mine. It's an attempt to make the idiots sound gormless. They probably are.

I know I can't get anywhere near as many games as some, but that was the worst I'd seen since the 5-1 debacle at Brizzle City which heralded BT's departure. In fairness, I would have taken a draw before kick-off yesterday, considering the scratch team we had to put out. But the performance was woeful and it was one of those days where we couldn't have kicked our way out of a wet paper bag. If we're looking at the individual performances out of 10, I reckon as follows: O'Donnell - 7 - No chance with the goals, yells and shouts at his defenders and made 3 brilliant saves. Eardley - 5 - Looked really out of sorts and his passing was atrocious. Lost his man for the 3rd goal. Hazell - 5 - Could have been a 7 if he'd stayed on the pitch. Should have been into Furlong earlier and there was only ever going to be one outcome. Stam - 7 - Had to work hard to compensate for other's mistakes and did a sound job. Lomax - 6 - Not his best game, but just a bit off the pace. Kalala - 5 - Never really got into the game, passing was way off and was pretty anonymous. MacDonald - 5 - Probably one of his worst games for the club. Ineffective, poor passing, didn't drive forward the way he can. Jarrett - 6 - Pity he had to come off; maybe he could have made a difference, but not that impressive in the time he had. Smalley - 9 - Our MOM by a country mile. Ran his socks off and never gave up but had no support. Whole hearted performance which deserved a goal. Only a great save stopped him scoring. Taylor - 7 - Tried hard but was starved of decent service and had to go it alone too often Constantine - 4 - He couldn't be arsed. Never looked interested, had two shots (1 was powder puff that my grandson could have stopped, the other brought a fantastic save). Other than that, he did precisely nowt. Wolfenden - Unfair to even consider a score as he only got the ball once as I remember. Thompson - 7 - Looked solid and tried to pass the ball. Maybe he is now going to show some class as he's sure to play against Millwall. It really was one of those days where we just didn't turn up, but we're not out of the mix yet and, if we do make the play-offs, we could well have a much stronger team if the injuries heal up in time and allow match fitness. If not, we have to be thankful that we've got as far as we have with so many kids thrown in and really build for next season. One or two may not be around then, but we've got some real gems in the likes of Lomax, Smalley, Taylor and Alessandra. So I won't be too despondent if we miss out on the top six, simply because we may not be strong enough to get any further this time around. On top of that, Shez is still learning his trade and he's had the most difficult season imaginable. Yes, he's made mistakes. But I'm sure he'll learn by them and be an even better manager next season. He has to stay; he's done all the groundwork under very difficult circumstances this season after we probably over achieved last term. So let's get behind him and the team for these last few games, give them all the encouragement we can and maybe, just maybe, Luton 2008 will just be a horrible nightmare which will be forgotten when we take part in the play-offs with the likes of Gregan, Hughes, Davies & Liddell back in contention.

I could go along with the Ice Hockey. My daughter is involved with Hull Spitfires and two of the grandsons play for the Under 10s, so I could meet up with her and the boys more often. As for football, there is none after Latics. It would rip my heart out if they ever died. I'd probably go no further than the odd game at Mangotsfield United in the British Gas Whateveritis League, but only because their ground is less than a 10 minute walk away.

Another player I remember watching during my childhood. Tremendous striker in the days when they were still called centre forwards. A really true legend. Rest in Peace, Eric. Condolences to your family.

Dreadfully sad news. Never seen a bloke of his size and height battle for high balls, and win them, the way Ernie did. Always gave 110%. Keep fighting Ernie. Every Latics fan is right behind you.

We were going nowhere under Talbot except down. The football we played was atrocious. So bad, in fact, I'm sure I heard Eyresey apologise to the fans when he was taking a corner in a game at Torquay. And Talbot's reaction to the chanting against him on a freezing cold night at Bristol City (5-1, remember?) was diabolical. I was pleased Mooreon went, cos I was sick of watching hoofball. Wadsworth was clueless, Warnock surprisingly ineffective (I thought he'd do well for us) but we could have done it (promotion) under Dowie IMO - thanks CM you s***house. Shez has to be given several seasons and we have to show him patience. I do believe we can make the play-offs again, but it's not a disaster if we don't. It's all a building work in progress. If we're good enough to go up, we will. If we're not, we won't, but we keep on building for next season, and the one after, and the one after. :ktf: :ktf:

What can be said that isn't on here already? Les came here as an unknown, but proved his worth time and time again. Yes, he had his wobbles, but the best in the world have 'em too. But 19 clean sheets in a season will really take some beating. I think it was Mike Yarwood in the Chron who once said, "Defenders know where they are with Pogliacomi. Usually underneath him as the big Aussie takes yet another cross out of the air." I will never forget his heroics on one leg at QPR in the play offs. Who will forget his dignity when he got that ridiculous red card against Brentford when their player went down after he'd been shot by a sniper in the crowd? And as for his black tights, not many 6' 5" keepers would have got away with that!! So many memories, so many great performances, and the odd bad one. But that's what you get with Pogs and that makes his latest bad news such a gut wrencher. So sorry for the guy; a true Latics star, well loved and never forgotten. He has to be given a reet royal send-off if he decides to go back to Oz. Good luck Les, wishing you a full and speedier recovery than the docs have predicted. Thanks for all you have done for the club and the fans. Just hope to God your career isn't over. :applause1: :applause1:

If you weren't, it was the only time. You deafened me and I was stood on the row behind you. I had to stand there so that the barrier protected me from Bigfin's alcoholic stumblings.

Bigfin, I have to tell you that you were as p***ed as a handcart BEFORE the game, never mind most of it. In fact, you didn't sound that sober when you rang me from the pub, so God knows how many you had between then and kick-off. As for smoking without being seen, having a crafty fag at the side exit end of the Gents, did NOT make you invisible.

They might be a noisy set of buggers, but half of 'em aren't even watching the game Come to think of it, doesn't look as if we are, either.

Classic. Absolute classic.

So Daddy didn't know that his little boy was available until 15minutes before he was due to sign a contract? Yeah, right. Didn't Ian, bless him, tell Daddy "I'm going to sign for Oldham"? Can't believe he kept that quiet. I wonder if Ronnie would have contacted him if he was signing for anybody else? Was it a case of a surprised Ronald nearly having heart failure as he gasped, "Oldham? ***ing Oldham? Not bloody likely. Get yer bum over 'ere, lad. I'll give yer a job". Sod 'em both. What loyalty could we have expected from the little Moore-on? Bugger all is the answer.

I was only 4 when this was taken, but some of the players were still with Latics as I remember them in the early fifties. I think Billy Spurdle is two to Fred Ogden's left and Lewis Brook (who played at least once in every outfield position; there were 2 full backs, 3 half backs and 5 forwards in those days!!) is on the manager's (Billy Wootton?) right. Two to his right is Ray Haddington who had a kick like an exocet missile. If a shot of his missed the goal, the crowd parted to make way for the ball. I think on Ray's right, on the end of the front row, is Bill Naylor. If I'm correct, this would have been the traditional "Blues v Reds" pre-season trial game. If so, I would imagine Alan Ball's Dad would be in there somewhere. And wouldn't you just love us to go back to those traditional and "specific to Latics" blue and white shirts? Thanks for the memory Diego, and rest in peace, Fred.