Latics_Fanatic

Really? I thought he left on a free at the end of his contract?

It's the way it goes - players go onto bigger and betting things in a lot of cases. We've also fell down the holes where we have failed to cash in on players in the past. Perhaps that is also where the quick will to sell comes from now too. Look at the likes of Chris Taylor, Neal Eardley and Keiran Lee - Latics lost them all on free transfers, however, it was well speculated that in all cases, Championship clubs were bidding for their services. Whilst we kept those players, there was no progress, we are still a league 1 team. So maybe cashing in and earning some money on players is the right thing to do in some instances. If it takes the sale of JCH or Smith then so be it - i'm not happy that we have to sell our talented players, but it is a necessary evil we have to deal with and one which means we still have Oldham Athletic to watch.

You're getting tiresome BP.

What's paying the bills and shortfalls? What's paying for the new stand? TTA won't call in their debt until we're Premier League, which is unlikely to happen. Simon Corney is playing a difficult role in balancing what is right, where money is needed most and ensuring that we stay afloat over bad investments and over investment into the playing side whilst off the pitch we crumble. Whilst not investing massively in the playing side, every manager under Corney has been backed financially in some sense. You don't get players like Jose Baxter without some sound financial backing. As ChaddySmoker says, it's all about balancing the books.

I'd give Winchester a go at Centre Mid with Smith. Make or Break time.

Spreadsheet and Payment just sent now. Bring it on!

We all stop looking negatively into the future and keep optimistic.

Went £27 million over on my first attempt. Now i've got a good team with the Iran and Algeria squads on the bench.

I wouldn't get too depressed about selling JCH, especially for the sums that have been rumoured.

I'm in. £100million for 23 players though, tight bastards!

Before anyone asks for a source... FL Transfers 2014 ‏@FLT2014 2h Jonson Clarke-Harris set to sign for Rotherham. Fee believed to be £400k with the potential to rise to £600k #rufc #oafc

Special Lancashire edition for when we play Yorkshire opposition.

Mills - Lockwood - Wilson - Brown Looks good to me, Kasunga on the bench too. Get another centre half and I think we might have cracked the defence, Mellor/Winchester/Smith can all play full back.

Absolutely class until everyone knew he was a massive threat. I'd love him back, but at the same time, there's only so much you can do with two men on you every game.

Maybe we need Edgar Davids to fill the Chris Taylor role of having a good whinge?

I still miss him. True OWTB legend.

Nothing but praise for Latics and LJ, great to hear.

Got the car started ready for the drive to Rotherham already..:

With or without the captains armband, Lockwood will act as a leader on and off the field anyway. Exactly the experience that could pull us further up the table next season. Once we've actually got a squad together anyway.

They all achieved a 15th place finish in League One. That's the only statistic needed to prove that we weren't good enough.

Only problem with that one is Latics don't tend to take the risk on older players with more than a 1 year contract. A player like Stock might want longer than a 1 year deal.

David Prutton - Coventry Neil Kilkenny - Bristol City/Preston Chris Lines - Port Vale Nicky Wroe - Preston Brian Howard - Birmingham Brian Stock - Burnley Just a few names - not better than Smith as deyres42 says, but possible Wes replacements.

League 1 transfers ‏@ismithard 38s Troubled striker Nile ranger is a target for Oldham athletic, Rochdale and Barnsley and a couple of other league 1 clubs which weren't named Who's calling bull:censored:?

Smith was frustrating and brilliant in equal measures. He was far too cautious at times, leading him to make the wrong pass or the negative move, rather than being positive and finding the man up front or on the wing. As you say though, he kept the team ticking over. Wes was the grafter in the midfield, something we can all appreciate - Would have loved to have kept him, but there's many of them about, probably on cheaper wages too. There's a clear difference but the partnership this season was key to our success in some games, but I believe that it was also key to our downfall in others. Both players reluctance to move forward and kick on at times drew us into a deeper style of player (similar to what we had experienced the season before under Dickov) - something which probably cost us on a few occasions. There needs to be a clear emphasis on our play this coming season, whilst it's imperative that we defend well, it's hard to get anything more than a draw or a 1-0 win whilst both your central midfield players are sitting in the holding position, waiting for the wingers to have an impact. Losing Wes has indeed been a blow, but not something that should massively affect us this coming season. Losing Smith as well would be more devastating or would be harder to replace, especially for the low(ish) money that he will be on - you can't pick up players of Smith's quality easily. I think it's a case of you don't know what you've got until it's gone with Smith, many people underestimate his abilities and what he does for the team but we'd be hurt if he went, especially having to find two quality central midfield players, instead of simply finding a partner for Smith.

I'll probably get slated by someone, but only 2 in the league stands out. Like i say though, I think (and hope) that he'll kick on next season.