opinions4u Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'm not convinced that Hughes/Davies works as a strike duo. It should do, as they are different types of player. I thought Alessandra and Davies worked a treat. I think Hughes is the best individual player. What are your views? Should we start the season with a fit Hughes and a fit Davies leading the line? Should we bring someone else in? Where does Alessandra fit in? Does Wolfenden have a future? Should we play 4-5-1? If you were Shez, what would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonBlueLad Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Didn't Shez throw out some stat a while back about us only losing a few of games when Davies and Hughes have started up front? He seemed pretty keen then on those two being the main forwards. Obviously Alessandra doing so well gives Shez a nice headache over the summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 (edited) Didn't Shez throw out some stat a while back about us only losing a few of games when Davies and Hughes have started up front? He seemed pretty keen then on those two being the main forwards. Obviously Alessandra doing so well gives Shez a nice headache over the summer. Good challenge. Here's some stats. 01/09/2007 Hartlepool 4-1 Oldham 15/09/2007 Oldham 0-1 Southend 22/09/2007 Walsall 0-3 Oldham 06/11/2007 Tranmere 0-1 Oldham 10/11/2007 Oldham 2-2 Doncaster 17/11/2007 Oldham 1-1 Port Vale 24/11/2007 Bournemth 0-3 Oldham 01/12/2007 Oldham 1-0 Crewe 04/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Luton 08/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Doncaster 15/12/2007 Millwall 2-3 Oldham 22/12/2007 Southend 0-1 Oldham 26/12/2007 Oldham 0-0 Nottm Forest 29/12/2007 Oldham 0-2 Walsall 01/01/2008 Leeds 1-3 Oldham 05/01/2008 Everton 0-1 Oldham 12/01/2008 Oldham 1-1 Brighton 19/01/2008 Yeovil 0-0 Oldham 22/01/2008 Gillingham 0-0 Oldham This includes all games where they have both appeared (not researched whether they both started though, or whether one replaced the other). Might undo my own argument here but ... P19 W9 D8 L2 equates to a full season of P46 W22 D19 L5 = 85 points (3 more than the promoted Forest, 6 fewer than Leeds would have got in 'normal circumstances'). 3rd place behind Swansea and Leeds, and Hughes wasn't fully fit for a number of the games. (Added 6th May 22.07: Missed off Orient 1-0 Latics and a defeat too! so the record is P20 W8 D8 L4 which equates to P46 W18 D19 L0 F53 A37 Pts 73 - 7th place - do I feel a jerk for messing that up!). Edited May 6, 2008 by opinions4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueJazzer Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 This needs to be converted to a poll with a nice list of combinations....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markoasis Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Simple answer ......... Hughes and Davies every time. Lost 2 out of 17 (I think) they played together and these loses were Hughes first game. So how in you eyes options4u are you not convinced that these to together work? Lewis / Clarke or Constaintine third striker option or when Davies is moved wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Simple answer ......... Hughes and Davies every time. Lost 2 out of 17 (I think) they played together and these loses were Hughes first game. So how in you eyes options4u are you not convinced that these to together work? Lewis / Clarke or Constaintine third striker option or when Davies is moved wide. Looks like I provided the stats to destroy my own case (2 defeats in 19 is pretty exceptional). I don't think 23 goals (the team, not the strikers) in total in those 19 games is a great return though and rarely got the feeling that there was ever genuine understanding between the two. Did they genuinely want to pass the ball to each other? Genuinely interested in other peoples views though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_is_GOD2 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Davies and Hughes Allesandro in front of allot, the lad can pick short threw balls out for people to run on to. 4 3 3 with ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK tactics if we got the ball attacking they cant score!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boundaryblue80 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 rarely got the feeling that there was ever genuine understanding between the two. Did they genuinely want to pass the ball to each other? Lol...that a trick question? No need to answer..... Whoever put it about that Hughes and CD don't get on was talking out of his arse. They are as thick as thieves, and Craig looked really surprised when I told him that they were rumoured not to be the best of friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bring Back Ronnie Moore Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 The rumour probably surfaced after they had a few words over who was taking a penalty (against Bournemouth I think) where they appeared to have a slight disagreement. Nothing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejh45 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Good challenge. Here's some stats. 01/09/2007 Hartlepool 4-1 Oldham 15/09/2007 Oldham 0-1 Southend 22/09/2007 Walsall 0-3 Oldham 06/11/2007 Tranmere 0-1 Oldham 10/11/2007 Oldham 2-2 Doncaster 17/11/2007 Oldham 1-1 Port Vale 24/11/2007 Bournemth 0-3 Oldham 01/12/2007 Oldham 1-0 Crewe 04/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Luton 08/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Doncaster 15/12/2007 Millwall 2-3 Oldham 22/12/2007 Southend 0-1 Oldham 26/12/2007 Oldham 0-0 Nottm Forest 29/12/2007 Oldham 0-2 Walsall 01/01/2008 Leeds 1-3 Oldham 05/01/2008 Everton 0-1 Oldham 12/01/2008 Oldham 1-1 Brighton 19/01/2008 Yeovil 0-0 Oldham 22/01/2008 Gillingham 0-0 Oldham This includes all games where they have both appeared (not researched whether they both started though, or whether one replaced the other). Might undo my own argument here but ... P19 W9 D8 L2 equates to a full season of P46 W22 D19 L5 = 85 points (3 more than the promoted Forest, 6 fewer than Leeds would have got in 'normal circumstances'). 3rd place behind Swansea and Leeds, and Hughes wasn't fully fit for a number of the games. Good Call!!! How about looking at the same stats from other angles: Who was our best centre-back partnership? Who was our best centre-midfield partership? KEEP THE FAITH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpTheLatics Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 (edited) 2 defeats in 17/19 or whatever it is with an unbalanced side. Balance the midfield up, which came around Carlisle at home when JJ came in, we see 32 goals in 20 games without Hughesy - he limped off out of the very same game JJ arrived. We also failed to score in 6 of those games, add the inconsistent young side who stopped performing on the road. Might as well throw in the injuries... Basically, we scored quite a few more in just a few more games without Hughesy. Then again, we lost Davies at Brighton, so since then we've scored 24 goals in 14 games. With Hughesy/Davies = 1.21 goals per game. Without Hughesy until end of season = 1.6 goals per game. Without Hughesy, with Davies from Carlisle (H) until Brighton (A) = 1.2 goals per game Without both Hughesy and Davies = 1.71 goals per game Well, well, well... We, according to those stats, would have scored 78 league goals without Hughesy/Davies, 20 more than what we finished on (58). But there are so many other factors need considering. If you have a balanced side, went without major disruptions to the squad, we really could have ran away with the league. However, the fact that we scored 1.71 goals per game without an experienced player in Lee Hughes and our then top scorer and with a very young side and with major disruptions to the side over 14 games only is a compliment to the lads and the manager, who some believe should be sacked or whatever. We could easily have crashed, picking up 10 points or so, and see ourselves looking at the bottom 4. We didn't, and we finished in a very sound 8th place. Sorry for going off topic there. Edited May 6, 2008 by UpTheLatics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 The fact is the same two strikers won't be playing a full season together so it will need several combinations throughout. I think the manager will have his eye on a big target man as an alternative to his present strikers when required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsslatic Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Good challenge. Here's some stats. 01/09/2007 Hartlepool 4-1 Oldham 15/09/2007 Oldham 0-1 Southend 22/09/2007 Walsall 0-3 Oldham 06/11/2007 Tranmere 0-1 Oldham 10/11/2007 Oldham 2-2 Doncaster 17/11/2007 Oldham 1-1 Port Vale 24/11/2007 Bournemth 0-3 Oldham 01/12/2007 Oldham 1-0 Crewe 04/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Luton 08/12/2007 Oldham 1-1 Doncaster 15/12/2007 Millwall 2-3 Oldham 22/12/2007 Southend 0-1 Oldham 26/12/2007 Oldham 0-0 Nottm Forest 29/12/2007 Oldham 0-2 Walsall 01/01/2008 Leeds 1-3 Oldham 05/01/2008 Everton 0-1 Oldham 12/01/2008 Oldham 1-1 Brighton 19/01/2008 Yeovil 0-0 Oldham 22/01/2008 Gillingham 0-0 Oldham This includes all games where they have both appeared (not researched whether they both started though, or whether one replaced the other). Might undo my own argument here but ... P19 W9 D8 L2 equates to a full season of P46 W22 D19 L5 = 85 points (3 more than the promoted Forest, 6 fewer than Leeds would have got in 'normal circumstances'). 3rd place behind Swansea and Leeds, and Hughes wasn't fully fit for a number of the games. Are you sure they're the only games? Off the top of my head I remember they both played at Orient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 We could easily have crashed, picking up 10 points or so, and see ourselves looking at the bottom 4. We didn't, and we finished in a very sound 8th place. Absolutely. And this point needs to be made more aware the next time a bunch of numpties are demanding he be fired. All things considered, 8th is a pretty satisfactory finish IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pukka Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 I'd like to see Hughes and Davies up front with Lewis playing slightly behind them, deeper. Most of allasndra's good work is doing what he did on saturday for the goal, holding it and playing it. That would possibly work better if a bit deeper. May also mean we wouldn't need a midfielder as desparately. I'd look at that in pre season anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Its Hughes who can out do a Beckett (when fit) of pinching a goal in a tight game. Its the draws that have done for us this season on top of the injuries. So for me its a Hughes +1 from several. Would like to see Constantine back playing with Hughes personally with Davies and Lewis wider. Beckett could finish a chance that was laid on for him or sniff out a chance from a mistake, but he actually created very few for himself and even fewer for others. Not even half the player that Hughes is IMO. I know who most defenders would rather face, a bag of tricks like Hughes or Beckett struggling to get out of second gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_Coconut Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Beckett could finish a chance that was laid on for him or sniff out a chance from a mistake, but he actually created very few for himself and even fewer for others. Not even half the player that Hughes is IMO. I know who most defenders would rather face, a bag of tricks like Hughes or Beckett struggling to get out of second gear. Thats quite laughable really. They are very similar players apart from Hughes being a little quicker off the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch_KTF Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Thats quite laughable really. They are very similar players apart from Hughes being a little quicker off the mark. Much as I like Super Luke Hughesy has a lot more in his locker then Beckett ever has. Being a 'little quicker' off the mark is not the only difference. Hughes isnt even quick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Thats quite laughable really. They are very similar players apart from Hughes being a little quicker off the mark. They really aren’t. Hughes can turn defenders inside out with his dribbling, he can shoot very well and from distance with either foot, and his passing and vision are a country mile better than Beckett’s. Beckett is only any use facing goal running on to passes. And Hughes is a little quicker off the mark in the same way as John Holmes was slightly better endowed than I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspiral_Carpet Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Thats quite laughable really. They are very similar players apart from Hughes being a little quicker off the mark. You need to take your blinkers off a little more when watching Hughes Coco. Have a look at the goals he scored at Southend; home against Brighton and away versus Bournemouth for starters. Beckett would not have bagged any of them as he doesn't have the pace or ability to create chances of his own. Hughes also scores the "right place, right time" goals that Beckett thrives upon and so clearly, Hughes is a far more accomplished allround striker than dear old Luke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senor_Coconut Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 You need to take your blinkers off a little more when watching Hughes Coco. Have a look at the goals he scored at Southend; home against Brighton and away versus Bournemouth for starters. Beckett would not have bagged any of them as he doesn't have the pace or ability to create chances of his own. Hughes aalso scores the "right place, right time" goals that Beckett thrives upon and so clearly, Hughes is a far more accomplished allround striker than dear old Luke. If I could be arsed to look at latics world I could find you some fantastic goals Beckett made for himself, I seem to remember a delightful lofted shot from the edge off the box at home. As with most things, the real test will be next season but lets not forget Beckett scored 18 goals (after missing the first 3-4 months of the season)in a team which, according to some, played boring long ball football who created very little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Yeah should be Hughes and Davies upfront with everyone fit and being in form etc with Alessandra and another striker helping out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfatjoe1 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Good Call!!! How about looking at the same stats from other angles: Who was our best centre-back partnership? Who was our best centre-midfield partership? KEEP THE FAITH I'll guess because it's something i've though about. Was it Stam and Trotman or Hazell? Was the defense tighter (statistically) with Stam than Gregan? Only guessing but, oh dear, I'm off before i get l get lynched. Roll on lovers of the fat arse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted May 6, 2008 Author Share Posted May 6, 2008 (edited) Are you sure they're the only games? Off the top of my head I remember they both played at Orient. sourced the data very quickly at Soccerbase.com. Just checked it and you're spot on. I missed it. Knock 7 points off to leave us safely in the play-offs. Edited May 6, 2008 by opinions4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimsleftfoot Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Taylor's goal against Bournemouth shows how good Hughesy can be. Probably the best cross I have seen in years from a Latics player, and for it to come from a striker is saying something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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