Oldham Athletic v Swindon Town Official Matchday Thread

[Paolo69]

The fact that Reg has made the effort to post shows where we are and depresses me a little.

Sorry Reg.

[DarloSTFC84]

Brush ourselves down, back on to next week. We don't become a poor team over night....4 at the back away from home is a must...for me.

[THE FLASH]

i don't think will have anything to do with league placings to be honest.  sometimes we'll be unplayable, sometimes we won't, for me this season is as simple as that. 

if we're as good as we can be then we can beat anyone, if not then we can lose to anyone.

Ideal candidates for the JPT then.......that would be a right result.

[Ticker45]

Was in London all day yesterday and could not keep up with how the game panned out but reading the comments today from those who were there concerns me a little. I am coming to the conclusion that initially we were an unknown quantity and caught teams out with our style of play, but now we are three months in and the opposition scouts have seen enough and can negate our tactics.

I do think that we may need an "older" head in midfield that can change play - not an easy player to find as every club probably requires one of those, but as the season wears on the current squad is still in the main very young and quite inexperienced and on a steep learning curve and a seasoned "pro" might well be a real help.

One other thing that concerns me and has been talked about before is that MC does not use all his available players, only one sub yesterday and that strikes me as odd when we are chasing a game.

 



 

[Arriba]

We'll win some and lose some. Mid table would be a decent return. Anything more is a bonus.

[sonicyouth]

I do think that we may need an "older" head in midfield that can change play - not an easy player to find as every club probably requires one of those, but as the season wears on the current squad is still in the main very young and quite inexperienced and on a steep learning curve and a seasoned "pro" might well be a real help

Harley?

[DarloSTFC84]

Is he still alive?

[kerry red]

Seems to me it's all about confidence.

our game is based on the players having confidence to pass the ball, sometimes in tight situations.

Now, with that awful performance against Walsall, our confidence has temporarily been shot to bits. The game was littered with individual errors and now nobody seems to want to try what they were doing successfully against Notts Co and Rotherham.

I reckon this will be a regular problem this season with the youngsters in the side - just as the fantastic football that the preceding games showed.

We will blow hot and cold. better get used to it

[Empathy Sloth]

We'll win some and lose some. Mid table would be a decent return. Anything more is a bonus.

This. Mid table is a good season after the high turnover of players and drastic budget cut.

[sonicyouth]

<Chang> Play-offs is the absolute minimum. Anything else is failure </Chang>

[Berniman]

But that means that Cooper will be out, if we don't finish in the play offs....  apparently...

[Dr Pierre Chang]

<Chang> Play-offs is the absolute minimum. Anything else is failure </Chang>

Failure may be harsh, however I am on record as saying the pre season aim of a title challenge is unrealistic.

If we have a good go at getting into the play offs but just fall short then there will be no complaints from me. Plenty of football still to play and I maintain my view that if we can keep within touching distance going into the second half of the season then we can put a run together going into the final stretch. On the flip side, I see why a few have voiced concerns that this squad will struggle when the winter period comes about and the classic '____ away on a cold Tuesday night'.

A lot will also hinge on the verdict in Ranger's court case as he is integral to our style of play. We saw what it was like with Williams up there and Ranger plays it superbly.

We are doing better than I expected in pre season, I couldn't believe the appointment of Cooper at the time, so I am relatively content so far.

Berniman: Well that's what the chairman has been telling people in pubs pre match. The bloke genuinely thinks we are title contenders.

[sonicyouth]

The question this season isn't whether we're good enough but whether we can fulfil our obvious potential

[Berniman]

Failure may be harsh, however I am on record as saying the pre season aim of a title challenge is unrealistic.

If we have a good go at getting into the play offs but just fall short then there will be no complaints from me. Plenty of football still to play and I maintain my view that if we can keep within touching distance going into the second half of the season then we can put a run together going into the final stretch. On the flip side, I see why a few have voiced concerns that this squad will struggle when the winter period comes about and the classic '____ away on a cold Tuesday night'.

A lot will also hinge on the verdict in Ranger's court case as he is integral to our style of play. We saw what it was like with Williams up there and Ranger plays it superbly.

We are doing better than I expected in pre season, I couldn't believe the appointment of Cooper at the time, so I am relatively content so far.

Berniman: Well that's what the chairman has been telling people in pubs pre match. The bloke genuinely thinks we are title contenders.

Well the view has changed a lot from...

While I still believe the seasons objective of a title charge is a little too optimistic, the 'i'll just be happy to stay up' brigade should well and truly keep their mouths shut now and raise expectations a little.

Plays offs should be the minimum that is expected.

When we win it's play offs should be the minimum expected and the "happy to stay up brigade" should shut up, when we lose it's "If we have a good go at getting into the play offs but just fall short then there will be no complaints from me"

And as for what the chairman has been saying in pubs....  Really?  Is that where Jason Roberts came from?

[Power to people]

Are we trying tp put square pegs into round holes ? i.e. are we picking players that are the good players and putting them into the formation regardless if the formation fits them, or are we picking players for the formation we are playing and putting them in hoping they will do well together.

The main one that springs to mind is Pritchard while he is a good player he does seem to be getting played all over the place , centre, mid, wings, of the front man, just to keep him in the team rather than put him in his best position where he is best or put him on the bench