philliggi

So what exactly is the difference between a development squad,reserves, and youths

That's my point though. Will they get the opportunity or will Johnny foreigner be given it. The kids are surely far more likely to have a shot at the first team when we have a 23 man squad compared to when we have a 30+ man squad

Slightly linked to the takeover, but I feel there's a separate discussion here. It's been stated in the men today we are still putting together our development squad, clearly funded by Abdullah. Question is what does this mean for our current crop, and future prospects? Is the plan to call time on taking in scholars and produce solely imported talent or will we have a healthy mix of scholars and imports. Even if we have a mix there is no doubt the foreigners will impede the development of young British players much the same as the premier league has done over the last 20 years. Also is there any plans to change the coaching structure at the club? Surely we need more coaches with the influx of new players? It's an interesting topic of discussion

Whoever was going in goal this year was always going to be poor in comparison to Ripley. He was always going to get some stick. Ruddy isnt the answer though. He cant command his back line, kicking is suspect and is nervous coming for crosses. I get the argument he made a great kick to Doyle, and made a great save at bristol, but these are exceptions rather than the rule. Ripley, although only young, carried himself like an experienced pro and won the respect of those in front of him. Ruddy looks like a boy in a man's game. I'd give placide a run he is our player after all, and has that experience we are crying out for. Wilson and ruddy are conceding 2 a game he can't be any worse.

Not as many as you think they would

Bloody auto correct

Sod putting hope in. The new guy may not have set the world alight but hope is no better

Doh I'm always doing that. I meant bringing him on and taking Byrne off. No slight on fane. Just the tactic was wrong

Taking fane off was an invitation for them to attack. Bad move by Sheridan and we got out of jail

Harsh to call him for dodgy kicking in that weather. As good a replacement for Ripley we are ever likely to find and made one worldy

Come on!! Keep supporting us well be all f#*king right!! Ignore all this shite No questioning his commitmemt

We are making the pitch look really small. Can't find space anywhere. Get 30 yard from goal and it just goes sideways. We are advertising it. Have tried a couple of neat through balls towards the end of the half which is where we will get to them

Bristol much the better in the rain but since it's calmed down we have come back into it with a few half chances. Davies knew nothing of it when hitting the bar. Anyone's game really. Tight

No chance, she prefers the 3 in goal formation

I'm going to this alone,purely cos I'm down in bath coincidentally and using it to break up the monotonous drive. Can't see many joining me save for bristol latics and maybe a couple more. Be lucky to have 50 there I recon

Does it have frylite instead then? Watching it's figure?

These signings make me queasy. Stinks of port vale last season and that ended well

I second this motion

My original post was about the ref on sat, but I put refs in general in the title to open it up to a wider debate in general. We seem to get 1 or 2 matches like this a season where the ref is at best incapable. The standard of refereeing for me is appalling. However I do see it as a very difficult job and one which I would not do myself. We can talk about disciplining referees and demoting them (i still believe like clubs, referees should be promoted and demoted each season rewarding consistently good refs and each would overtime find their level), but i more pressing concern for me is their inability to consistently read the game at a set standard from one referee to another. Personally I believe this is caused by the rules of the game being messed with too often and leaving to much open for the ref to interpret as they see fit. Offside rule as an example, the "involved with play rule needs scrapping. If your offside your offside. This would take it completely out of the hands of the ref and leave it squarely with the linesman. No interpretation needed just a simple "your offside or not". This could be done right across the rule book. Tackle from behind, last man, too many rules open for the referee to interpret. Simplify the rules, raise the standard

You will get a response. It'll be a standard "thanks for your feedback" auto stlye reply

Appalling today. Worst in a very long time. Fanes first yellow wasn't even a foul. Ruined a great game of football. We were knackered come 90 mins. Charlton expected a walk over but got a real game of football. You know though the efl will do sod all about it. It's about time the entertainment side of the game was considered. If it was for violence or blatant dirty tackles I could take it but today he got a red for 2 tackles another ref would probable award 1 free kick. People pay money to have 1 prick in the middle ruin it. It's not just that he gave more cards than Clinton's. Tosser

No way. The chron was as much of my life growing up as latics has been

Yeah I mean the fact we won the replay when it was nailed on we would lose originally. Not if it was called off for internationals or weather.

This happened last year. Think it was Peterborough. Was a guaranteed 6 point swing had it been played initially when intended

We have transfer activity?