Bristolatic

Joseph is the one who replied to a couple of emails I sent them last season. He didn't really address the issues I raised and, eventually, some other geezer took over until they decided to not reply at all.

You really would think they'd have it cracked by now.

1 hour ago, Magic Mikey said:

 

If the club would clearly say what the disciplinary issue is, they can get rid of all this conjecture.

As I've said elsewhere, I'm certain they can't due to employee confidentiality. They could get taken to the cleaners if it prejudices any further developments.

22 minutes ago, Ryan said:

1. Agree on that. Initially when the ITKers were saying he was 'suspended' I thought they meant from employment, pending investigation, rather than being made to train with the kids. I could understand the cynicism when that was the information available.

2. "Jack has breached a couple of discipline rules." Frankie Bunn in today's press-conference.

3. "Deals for three key loan players had to be renegotiated in January. The weekly bill for the three, one of whom signed permanently, went from £3,750 to around £16,000." Doyle, Bryan and Byrne were costing us £16,000 p/w so I'd say £5,000 p/w seems about right for JB. 

4. "Many were signed on wages previously well outside Oldham's budget. Midfielder Mohamed Maouche was given £4,000-a-week. He subsequently played 10 minutes of League One football (and remains on the payroll)." Both from Keegan's article.

2. Ok, I'll go with that as I haven't yet had the chance to see FB's presser, but "a couple" could be an expression of speech, it could be very accurate

3 & 4. There'd been very mixed feelings about MK's article. Some believe all of it, some believe some of it, some believe none of it. I do believe there are elements of truth in there, but I also believe that the truth has, in places, been massaged.

However, I still don't see AL, or anyone else, agreeing a (lucrative?) contact at £x per week for the next two and a half years and then suspend said player to save his wages, but still have to pay them whilst he's in the reserves. It's bonkers.

For me, I think it's been a serious misdemeanor of some sort and employee confidentiality is preventing anyone saying any more. In my working life, I had to deal with many disciplinary issues concerning employees, and I know from experience that they have to be handled 100% by the book or you leave yourself wide open.

We'll find out eventually, I imagine, but right now, it's not our place to know.

Please tell me this, someone. How does anyone know that AL is freezing Byrne out to save his wages? Has someone seen it in writing, perchance? And who (Lemsagam) would agree a long term contract with a player and then decide not to play him just to save the wage you've already agreed upon? Just doesn't add up.

And how about "he's only broken two club rules" I think someone said? How do you know? Have you been told by FB, AL or JB themselves? 

How do you know he's on £6k a week? Has anyone seen his contract? Or was it once suggested and it's now gone beyond folk lore? 

How do you know that Maouche is on £4k a week?  Same scenario as Byrne's wages which, by the way, we will still be paying, so that again kills the idea that he's frozen out to save the wage.

If anyone has concrete, confirmed, sighted proof of all this, fine. I'll accept it. If not, it's all pure speculation in my eyes. Let's just wait and see what happens. In the meantime, let's just get behind the club, the team, the staff and crack on with being supporters.

2-1-3-2-1-1 It's the future. 

Baxter made a hell of a difference when he came on, but he isn't fit enough yet. Gardner worked his nuts off and did the work of three, but it was Iversen who kept us in it, so I've gone for him.

I used to be nearly 56 once upon a time. Does that count?

It's ROYLE. Even though he is most definitely Latics royalty.

20 minutes ago, oafcprozac said:

That was much more encouraging.

 

Iversen solid and two or three good saves again.

 

Graham was my motm thought he was excellent.

 

Coke much more involved when he’s played in his correct position. 

 

Agree about Nepo, I highlighted last season he doesn’t track back and doesn’t challenge. He’s too slow in getting his cross in.

 

O’Grady much better when he’s someone up there with him.

 

Benteke too lightweight, speaks volumes we’ve brought a fifth striker in today. Couple of decent efforts but time and again Bunn was doing his nut in with him.

 

I’d expect at least one other midfielder in before the end of the month. Just like Saturday (albeit much higher level opposition) they waltzed through our middle time and again. Bunn was very angry and cut a frustrated figure time and again on the touch line. I thought some of the players communicated well tonight. Time and again we were in a good position but were too slow to react or made the wrong decision. You can see Bunn and Rhodes kick every ball but our press needs to be more consistent, our decision making needs to improve and our end product needs to be better. Having said that but for two superb saves from Benteke and Bangers, Baxter smashing an absolute blockbuster against the bar and a blatant dive for the first goal which was a clear og it could have been very different. Yes, Derby were better but fine margins won them the game, the second was a mis kick that landed at the guys feet. Get Clarke and Taylor in there, mix up the strikers and sort the midfield and we’ll be more than ok.

I wasn't there, but that seems to be an honest, balanced view. I like it.

1 minute ago, Ryan said:

When a comfortable home defeat to a second-string Derby County side is classed as progress it's probably time to fold the club.

I think it's time you went to bed, young man.

Completely off topic, but Forest beat Bury 10-9 on penalties where both keepers scored.

Match stats.

Shots 11 - 14

On Target 3 - 3

Corners 4 - 2

Fouls 11 - 10

Does any of that tell us anything? Serious question.

Derby hit the post

1 minute ago, Kusunga_Is_God said:

Cokes had an alright game to be fair. 

Good to hear. There must be something about him with his history.

1 minute ago, Kusunga_Is_God said:

Distribution from the defenders is non league kevel

They're kids, so not entirely unexpected, but it's all we've got.

Just now, Wardie said:

Maybe this will help to quell the unrest...

Aaron Diskin‏ @AaronDiskin
Both Byrne and Clarke are inside and present tonight hopefully a positive sign

Unless he has bad eyesight.

We can but hope, although I'd be amazed (but delighted) if Byrne played again.

2 minutes ago, Kusunga_Is_God said:

His subs are bizarre. 

What is bizarre about Baxter for Benteke and Missilou for Coke. So many have said that Benteke and Coke are crap, so who else would you put on.

Ooh, Baxter hits the bar.

Commentary gone off

That's that, then. 0-2.

Excellent save from Branger shot

Baxter on for Benteke

Forest made 11 changes and are down to 10

Gerrard's debut not going too well. 1-4 down to Blackburn

Benteke should have scored? 

That's a bugger. 0-1.

Just now, Kusunga_Is_God said:

Have expected anything just stating what’s going on. Don’t twist it for your agenda.

That's a bit touchy. It just so happens that they're two divisions above us, so they should be the better side. And I'm stating what I'm listening to. Is that better?

Just now, Kusunga_Is_God said:

Head and shoulders above us. We keep making our own mistakes due to positioning in the midfield, no options. Iversen having the game of his life.

Erm, they're a Championship side. What did you expect? Listening to iFollow, it certainly doesn't sound like we're being battered.