[Osborne again]

To come back after looking down and out is a relief. Oldaker isn't a defensive midfielder by an stretch, but he needs to learn to use a bit of urgency when playing in that position. He wants time to play out or pick a pass, but there's not always time, and I'd rather see the ball booted into touch up field than him lose it in a dangerous position. He's a tidy player, but I wouldn't have picked him for this one.
We need a young Mike Jones,not the finished article, but one to develop alongside the original.

[HaslandBlue58]

Was the team selection as simple as not wanting to put our creative players up as targets for thuggery?

[azul]

HaslandBlue58, on 16 March 2024 - 03:26 PM, said:

Was the team selection as simple as not wanting to put our creative players up as targets for thuggery?

No

[Cartman]

HaslandBlue58, on 16 March 2024 - 03:26 PM, said:

Was the team selection as simple as not wanting to put our creative players up as targets for thuggery?

My guess is that it was a line up to keep it tight whilst offering some threat and then unleash Dobra, Colclough and one other after 60 minutes

Just unfortunate that we didn’t keep it tight and were very sloppy in possession in first half!

Worst game I’ve seen Jones have for us and Oldaker also poor, Naylor wasn’t much better to be fair and they exploited our hesitant midfield in the first half and were able to get at our less than solid defense

That must be the best Oldham have played in a while mind

[Painted Wagon]

With 7 more games to go we’ve broken our record points total today from 91 in 84/85. Let’s go for the century.

[Mr_Pleasant]

azul, on 16 March 2024 - 03:05 PM, said:

What’s your beef with amoebas - generally harmless

Fair point, well made

[metallilad]

Perhaps taking the game to them from the start would've left us wide open for their counter attacking so Cooky thought to go with the defensive midfield and try to play the hold up game with Quigley. Hogan would've had Grigg in his back pocket all match. At least Quigley caused them some hassle.

[The Earl of Chesterfield]

An away point at a motivated, play off chasing outfit.

Who, by the way, thought they'd be where we are, now.

Other than frustration at having to wait another few days before tying this up - or maybe not rubbing their noses in it - just a normal part of winning the league...

This post has been edited by The Earl of Chesterfield: 16 March 2024 - 03:35 PM

[Osborne again]

Cartman, on 16 March 2024 - 03:30 PM, said:

My guess is that it was a line up to keep it tight whilst offering some threat and then unleash Dobra, Colclough and one other after 60 minutes

Just unfortunate that we didn’t keep it tight and were very sloppy in possession in first half!

Worst game I’ve seen Jones have for us and Oldaker also poor, Naylor wasn’t much better to be fair and they exploited our hesitant midfield in the first half and were able to get at our less than solid defense

That must be the best Oldham have played in a while mind

I'm hoping Oldham have a relapse and don't make the playoffs, as it would be nice to see them in this cesspit for the next decade.

[Lincs Spireite]

They are fawning over the blistering pace of Dallas and think they've got a player now . Alongside Norwood they think they can beat anyone. When in reality we just had yet another average game. I hoped we would step up the gears from from the off but not to be.

Was it a case of we know we are going up so happy not to bust a gut. Or, do we want to wait for a home game to clinch it ?

[Sammy Spireite]

Osborne again, on 16 March 2024 - 03:36 PM, said:

I'm hoping Oldham have a relapse and don't make the playoffs, as it would be nice to see them in this cesspit for the next decade.

I hope
They make the play offs and get battered in the final.

[Sammy Spireite]

Lincs Spireite, on 16 March 2024 - 03:37 PM, said:

They are fawning over the blistering pace of Dallas and think they've got a player now . Alongside Norwood they think they can beat anyone. When in reality we just had yet another average game. I hoped we would step up the gears from from the off but not to be.

Was it a case of we know we are going up so happy not to bust a gut. Or, do we want to wait for a home game to clinch it ?

Norwood was a handful and caused us problems all game, on the face of it and based on the commentators comments, he doesn’t play like that every week.

Dallas was a danger while ever he could run, last 5 of the first half and after 15 mins in the second half he was virtual statue and wasn’t able to make the runs that stretched us. He could have had a good season for someone this season had he got fit.

This post has been edited by Sammy Spireite: 16 March 2024 - 03:42 PM

[gordon_brittas]

Sammy Spireite, on 16 March 2024 - 03:39 PM, said:

I hope
They make the play offs and get battered in the final.

Be nice to see them lose in the final against Altrincham.

If they don’t go up this year, expect a 4/5 year spell in this league for them. Southend will win the league next season and expect Hartlepool under Kev Phillips to mount some sort of challenge.

[Pumpkin]

Gateshead have just gone 2 up (v Ebbsfleet)....pushing Oldham back down to 8th

[Fit as a Nelson]

Sammy Spireite, on 16 March 2024 - 03:42 PM, said:

Norwood was a handful and caused us problems all game, on the face of it and based on the commentators comments, he doesn’t play like that every week.

Dallas was a danger while ever he could run, last 5 of the first half and after 15 mins in the second half he was virtual statue and wasn’t able to make the runs that stretched us. He could have had a good season for someone this season had he got fit.

Dallas always struggled for fitness with us

[Siberian Spireite]

Sammy Spireite, on 16 March 2024 - 03:42 PM, said:

Norwood was a handful and caused us problems all game, on the face of it and based on the commentators comments, he doesn’t play like that every week.

Dallas was a danger while ever he could run, last 5 of the first half and after 15 mins in the second half he was virtual statue and wasn’t able to make the runs that stretched us. He could have had a good season for someone this season had he got fit.

Norwood, the commentator said “You pay why you get for”, so make of that what you will.
Dallas, I suppose it shows how hawking yourself around for the highest offer isn’t necessarily always the best career move.

[hilly81]

Pumpkin, on 16 March 2024 - 03:54 PM, said:

Gateshead have just gone 2 up (v Ebbsfleet)....pushing Oldham back down to 8th

Solid effort from Gateshead. Been down to 10 men since the 5th minute.

[Siberian Spireite]

gordon_brittas, on 16 March 2024 - 03:51 PM, said:

Be nice to see them lose in the final against Altrincham.

If they don’t go up this year, expect a 4/5 year spell in this league for them. Southend will win the league next season and expect Hartlepool under Kev Phillips to mount some sort of challenge.

Southend shouldn’t be down here for too long now they have a better owner.
Hartlepool need shot of Raj Singh before they can truly recover.

[Lincs Spireite]

Sammy Spireite, on 16 March 2024 - 03:42 PM, said:

Norwood was a handful and caused us problems all game, on the face of it and based on the commentators comments, he doesn’t play like that every week.

Dallas was a danger while ever he could run, last 5 of the first half and after 15 mins in the second half he was virtual statue and wasn’t able to make the runs that stretched us. He could have had a good season for someone this season had he got fit.

The question is can Oldham play like that every week now ? Didn't work out that way for Dorking.

[danblue]

ronpowellsbutler, on 16 March 2024 - 02:41 PM, said:

Probably already said but it’s a long thread to look through - but Colclough, Grigg, Mandeville, Dobra not starting ?
No way can we criticise PC but scratching my head at that one.

I think it's a bit of giving others a run out and seeing how they do.
The league is more or less wrapped up so I have no probs with squad rotation - especially when the likes of Hobson start, bag a goal and wins the pen to pull us level, but also gives Cook a good look at the squad players