unsworthlatic Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I know the season hasn't deliverd everything that it looked like doing at the start of the season. As I was coaching in the USA I missed the Stevenage and Peterborough away games and also the Walsall, Port Vale and Derby County home games. I was led to believe off both commentary and my dad who went to all of them that we were brilliant going forward against Stevenage and slightly suspect in defence as Mellor played centre back (never a centre back) I also heard we played well at London Road but lost the game and heard Walsall played very well at Latics and deserved to win, Derby were the better side once getting to grips with the pace of the game (showing their championship quality) and heard we hammered Port Vale! This all being before I returned the Sunday after Port Vale, I was expecting fast flowing football, my first game back happened to be tranmere and we were robbed at BP by a very dubious penalty and cynical tactics used as usual by Tranmere. I then went to Shrewsbury in the JPT where we were excellent and then PNE on the monday where we hammered Preston and one fluke goal and one powderpuff challenge by Wes saw us go 2-0 down but it was great the way we played. That hasn't materialised and sadly I don't think Johnson has found a settled team, constant switching of strikers in particular. As much as this doesn't help the strikers individually it SHOULD provide each one to nail down a place in the team by scoring and really impressing given half the chance and none of our strikers have done that. At the start of the season I'm sure most will agree you look at the Rooney signing and say that's the best striker you could get for league one, proven goalscorer and looks like he could fire us up into a playoff shout. You then look at Clarke-Harris, young lad, wanting to prove himself in football, played well against us for Bury last year and scored a few in a Bury team in turmoil, again another good signing. Then you look at Macdonald, scores goals when he is fit, keeping him fit is the big key but again plenty of goals across the three strikers. In pre season also we had Sid, who apparently looked like a proper winger, gets the ball to feet, looks to take on a man and fire it into the box, a variaton of crosses, drilled, floated, under hit and overhit on occasions, same with Dayton with Korey providing energy and Wes being a machine, winning the bits and pieces in midfield to start attacks up again and regain possession. All that said and i haven't even mentioned Montano, who scored for fun in pre season too and again keeping him fit looked the only issue. We were all really excited, a promising talent in Tarky at centre back, just needed a partner, Grounds, generally a solid left back and connor brown, a young, enthusiastic right back who looks to provide pace and energy when given the chance. Go to the keeper and it's a premier league loan keeper. I haven't even mentioned Baxter because we all knew deep down he was going to leave before the end of August Anybody disagree? The way it has turned out: 1) Rooney couldn't get firing, was given a few games on the bounce, here and there but still couldn't score 2) JCH hasn't improved as much as I and many oldham fans would have hoped but still provides a threat and a prescence, just not prolific in front of goal 3) Macdonald has struggled with injuries but has scored a few 4) Montano was done on a betting scandal so made his position untenable at the club 5) Sidney didn't settle, proved by him now returning to his family in Holland 6) Dayton struggled with injuries 7) Korey has been a consistant 7/10 but nothing spectacular 8) Tarkowski had to be sold in January so therefore needed replacing 9) we have a goalkeeper who makes too many basic errors, good at shot stopping generally but decision making is poor 10) We haven't had much luck on or off the pitch, referee decisions against us, signings getting injured or suspended, present players having offers Oldham had to take So how much of that can you blame on LJ: Not that much I believe, he can't be made responsible for poor decision making by players, can try to work on them in training but ultimately down to the players to learn from their mistakes. He isn't to blame for Montano or Sidney's situations, nor is he to blame for rooney not firing so he had to go, better for both parties, frees up a wage and let's rooney try and find his form elsewhere. LJ also isn't to blame for players having to be sold and yes they had to be sold, for the day to day running of the club and for the reason that if we don't take offered fees that are in the region of six figure sums then these players will eventually be allowed to leave on a free transfer and also be unsettled and de-motivated at the fact we wouldn't sell them to a higher club where they could earn a lot more money and play a higher level of football. What questions can be asked to LJ: Why did you panic too early and start chopping and changing as much as you have? Why have you allowed things that should stay behind close doors out in the media, twitter etc? Why sign all these players on short term contracts? Why have we not kept playing the same way that we did at the start of the season? Each one of these can be answered, he panicked because managers panic due to pressure of it being a results business and he didn't know what his best 11 was so wanted to give everybody a fair crack of the whip and nobody has nailed down their place in the team, bar a couple of exceptions. He allowed things to come out in the media as this is inexperience from a young manager, two/three interviews a week, questions forced at him, needs to learn how to answer with disclosing too much information. We signed players on short term contracts because he could see what was happening with Sid, not settling so to offer Kusunga and Lanzoni longer contracts may turn into being a mistake, as it turned out it wasn't however LJ wasn't to know, by which time Lanzoni was going to go. We haven't played the same way because we weren't picking up results playing fast flowing football, all very pleasing but again with it being a results based business he felt he couldn't carry on losing games playing the right way, who can blame him? The players LJ has brought in on the whole haven't been bad in my opinion: Kusunga - good signing Lanzoni - good signing worrall - good signing Harkins - Fantastic Mills - good signing dunfield - terrible kissock - not seen him turner - not seen him plummer - should have been good but woeful lockwood - on the whole solid wilson - promising youngster stead - very much like rooney, should have been better but wasn't Rusnak - wasn't interested so had to go On the whole they in my opinion have been okay. We're sat 16th in the league albeit the position is false because of only being 3 points off the bottom four, however it's a position two places higher than it has been for the last couple of seasons and I do believe we'll survive. It all depends what you want, football is a vicious cycle and tough for coaches and managers, expectations are set from fans and chairman, that builds pressure, expectations of players aren't met like we have seen, confidence goes, you start losing games and it's tough to pick yourself up from some defeats All in all as bad as some performances have been, we have had quality this season on ocassion and if you choose to get rid of Johnson who do you get in? Surely if you get rid of him you're being like him, chopping and changing until you get instant success? It doesn't work, give him a couple of years and see what he can do, we have to rebuild in the summer but please get behind him because support is key and with him being a young manager, he will make mistakes, tactics will be wrong, subs will be wrong but he is trying to do what is best and acting upon what he is seeing so support him the last 12 games and really get behind the lads, home and away and hope the positivity wears off on the players. This is ALL opinion based so please feel free to shoot me down but let's all get a sense of reality, we've had issues in the squad this season, betting, settling, transfers, injuries and suspensions as usual but we're 16th in the league and have a chance to finish the season securely in mid table, all that on top of yet another Liverpool FA Cup game, what more realistically with the budget we have do you expect from Johnson and Oldham Athletic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beag_teeets Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Sorry, not read your post, I'm sure I agree with it though. I'm interested in the "Unsworth" in your username, is that from the delightful area near Whitefield? Am I not the only gay in the village? Er, Latics fan in the village? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 I'll read it later. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsworthlatic Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 Please do just my overview on the season so far and yes the Unsworth is the bit near Whitefield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-latic Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Well said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 You have far too much spare time on your hands ha ha. It's a pretty fair reflection though, overall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcmetty Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 tl;dr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsworthlatic Posted March 6, 2014 Author Share Posted March 6, 2014 You have far too much spare time on your hands ha ha. It's a pretty fair reflection though, overall. Yeah didn't realise how long it was haha, it's called not having much work on and needing something to do to make it look like i'm doing something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deyres42 Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Harsh to judge Johnson no matter where we finish in the league, he had no credentials for the job and has had to work within the make do and mend template that the club has been operating from for a while now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Yeah didn't realise how long it was haha, it's called not having much work on and needing something to do to make it look like i'm doing something! You typed all that at work? Stone the crows. You got any jobs going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsworthlatic Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 You typed all that at work? Stone the crows. You got any jobs going? Work in legal so I had a bit of time on my hands so thought i'd do my overview of the season, sadly not haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfatjoe1 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Sense of reality = yet another huge turnover in the number of players. Sense of reality = dire home performances, again. Sense of reality = giving the best players away. Sense of reality = another relegation struggle. Sense of reality = crowds dipping below 3,000. Sense of reality = 17 years in this crap league, slowly going backwards. Sense of reality = three years of cup bonuses with little investment in the squad. This is reality. I don't blame LJ. It's the same for the last few seasons, so managers must be given a framework in which to work by those above them. Still, i admire your half glass full, and those of fellow happy clappers. However, the reality is that most people are voting with their feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsworthlatic Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 Sense of reality = yet another huge turnover in the number of players. Sense of reality = dire home performances, again. Sense of reality = giving the best players away. Sense of reality = another relegation struggle. Sense of reality = crowds dipping below 3,000. Sense of reality = 17 years in this crap league, slowly going backwards. Sense of reality = three years of cup bonuses with little investment in the squad. This is reality. I don't blame LJ. It's the same for the last few seasons, so managers must be given a framework in which to work by those above them. Still, i admire your half glass full, and those of fellow happy clappers. However, the reality is that most people are voting with their feet. We know the town of Oldham is dreadful when it comes to supporting the club but the supporters that actually do go might as well give it their own and really get behind the players, whether they are good, bad or indifferent. I would agree with booing and slating the players if it was lack of effort but I honestly don't think it is lack of effort anywhere in the club, I think Corney (as 'tight fisted' as he may be) actually has Oldham Athletic's best interests at heart, LJ is trying desperately hard to get results, albeit not being that successful at present and I think the players are giving it their all, again albeit not being to much effect. I agree with some of the points you have made, yeah some dire home performances but in some we have won the games, Gillingham and Stevenage etc and yes the crows have dipped below 3,000 but I think that is because of the league position if i'm being honest not the football. If we lost games when playing well and exciting football, floating fans wouldn't come because results aren't going in our favour. The 17 years is a fact but I don't understand how much of a rise you expect from the last few seasons to this season, it has disappointed this season because we saw at the start of the season what the side was capable of. Another good cup run brings in money to keep the club above water, tough financial times for business' and we seem to be doing okay at the moment, we can't invest largely into the squad, not many league one teams can and on the budget johnson was given i'd say he brought in plenty of good signings, it sadly didn't work out. As for the 'giving the best players away' a couple of things, clauses in contracts may well have been met meaning the players had to be sold, a team like Oldham can't turn down substantial (we may not see it as that with valuations of modern day footballers) amounts of money for players and also why keep players that want to jump ship and move to another club? I'm certainly not a happy clapper, I do criticise the players in conversations with my dad or friends but as much as I can't see too much progress I don't think it is as bad as some people paint it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAFC_Ryan Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 We know the town of Oldham is dreadful when it comes to supporting the club but the supporters that actually do go might as well give it their own and really get behind the players, whether they are good, bad or indifferent. I would agree with booing and slating the players if it was lack of effort but I honestly don't think it is lack of effort anywhere in the club, I think Corney (as 'tight fisted' as he may be) actually has Oldham Athletic's best interests at heart, LJ is trying desperately hard to get results, albeit not being that successful at present and I think the players are giving it their all, again albeit not being to much effect. I agree with some of the points you have made, yeah some dire home performances but in some we have won the games, Gillingham and Stevenage etc and yes the crows have dipped below 3,000 but I think that is because of the league position if i'm being honest not the football. If we lost games when playing well and exciting football, floating fans wouldn't come because results aren't going in our favour. The 17 years is a fact but I don't understand how much of a rise you expect from the last few seasons to this season, it has disappointed this season because we saw at the start of the season what the side was capable of. Another good cup run brings in money to keep the club above water, tough financial times for business' and we seem to be doing okay at the moment, we can't invest largely into the squad, not many league one teams can and on the budget johnson was given i'd say he brought in plenty of good signings, it sadly didn't work out. As for the 'giving the best players away' a couple of things, clauses in contracts may well have been met meaning the players had to be sold, a team like Oldham can't turn down substantial (we may not see it as that with valuations of modern day footballers) amounts of money for players and also why keep players that want to jump ship and move to another club? I'm certainly not a happy clapper, I do criticise the players in conversations with my dad or friends but as much as I can't see too much progress I don't think it is as bad as some people paint it Did you attend the MK Dons game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw_oldh857 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 o p we know an very well put I like reading ...knowledge is power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Sinnott Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 That could all be summarised by simply saying "We're not as good as some people think we are..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 That could all be summarised by simply saying "We're not as good as some people think we are..." Reasonable summary. Sometimes it helps to get it off your chest in a few more words! I think the manager, with the understandable enthusiasm of a bloke taking on a new job, may have over promised and under delivered a tad. Fingers crossed we will stay up and he can improve what he delivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBosch Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 (edited) That could all be summarised by simply saying "We're not as good as some people think we are..." Who thinks we're good? Edited March 8, 2014 by HarryBosch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitey1980 Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I think within the context of a weakened division thats short on consistency and quality, the side that started this season had the potential to be very decent indeed. Not perfect, but relatively solid defensively with the potential to retain possession of the ball very well. The midfield had pace in wide areas and quality centrally, with a good variety of attacking options. Worryingly we don't seem to have any of those attributes now. We should have accrued more points earlier in the season and it is that as much as anything that we are paying for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slystallone Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 (edited) We're going to clog our way to safety. We've a squad packed full of them now. I can deal with that. Means to an end and all that. Will i want that next season though? Will i :censored: as like. Big summer ahead for LJ... Edited March 8, 2014 by slystallone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singe Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I really am not sure. The worry is the players (and maybe manager) think they are too good to go down. And that is fatal. We have not been threashed though, and can match most sides for a period of a game. But cannot get 90 mins or 3 x 90 mins together of composed and concentrated football. but assuming we stay up, then yes a big summer ahead. I do see the green shoots of Dickov, talking the talk bit failing to deliver. Albeit at least LJ can change a game and has more than one plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scratch2000uk Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I really am not sure. The worry is the players (and maybe manager) think they are too good to go down. And that is fatal. We have not been threashed though, and can match most sides for a period of a game. But cannot get 90 mins or 3 x 90 mins together of composed and concentrated football. but assuming we stay up, then yes a big summer ahead. I do see the green shoots of Dickov, talking the talk bit failing to deliver. Albeit at least LJ can change a game and has more than one plan. What plan is that then? He's not changed much in terms of results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsworthlatic Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Did you attend the MK Dons game? yes I did and the first half I thought was dire, however I honestly don't believe it was lack of effort. Reason being I don't think our players are good enough to only lose 2-1 if they cannot be arsed. Our players if they went out with a lack of effort wouldn't have the ability to keep the game to a tight scoreline, we'd get hammered 4 or 5 - 0. Yes we were awful but no lack of effort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAFC_Ryan Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 yes I did and the first half I thought was dire, however I honestly don't believe it was lack of effort. Reason being I don't think our players are good enough to only lose 2-1 if they cannot be arsed. Our players if they went out with a lack of effort wouldn't have the ability to keep the game to a tight scoreline, we'd get hammered 4 or 5 - 0. Yes we were awful but no lack of effort MK's away record is dire, we were spineless that first-half. It was depressing to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewBlue Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 MK's away record is dire, we were spineless that first-half. It was depressing to watch. This is very much a myth rolled out whenever we're poor. In reality we couldn't string a pass together. That game our defence and centre mid was Brown, Lockwood, Wilson, Grounds, Dunfield, Wes. Undoubtedly a terrible footballing 6 playing against a technically vastly superior MK team. We didn't lack effort or heart or fight, we lacked quality. We were :censored:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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