Midsblue

I have spoke to Alan about this at a Trust meeting a couple of months back. Re quality, I could not agree with you more. The word ':censored:e' would be being kind.

 

However, regarding design, that isnt enitrely the fault of the club. As you may/may not be aware, the home kit is the same 'design' (but different colours) to our away kit, and also to bournemouths home kit. This was because one of the terms for our new sponsorship with Cabrini was that we had to wear cabrini branded kits. Because it was such short notice, this is the reason why in terms of 'design' it is pretty much a carbon copy of our away strip/bournemouths home kit. Normally the design team starts work on an up and coming strip (or strips if it is to be put to a vote) well before christmas. Alan told me that the next home kit should definately be an individual design (as in not a carbon copy of other cabrini shirts this year but with different colours), although I will be the judge of this once I have seen the new away shirt.

 

This is blackpools new home strip this season. If our away strip isn't merely another 'same design different colours' version of this, then I will believe it.

I'd prefer this version i.e the pink design for our home shirt; replace the tangerine or pink for blue and hem in white. Same design for away kit with burgundy as the main colour. Prefer v-neck to collars and all this white sections in the blue. All blue please

I don't know where you get this from as it's not what I've heard.

I didn't get from the club so opinions may differ depending which side of the table you are listening to. That's what I've heard though so it may be a quick "thanks but no thanks" if you're correct. All I know is that he'd like to come back but I suspect that it may be down to offers (or lack of) on the table.

I was told a few days back that he wants to come back so not surprised if he's checking out whether this is possible.

He gets on really well with the directors and since a bad influence (by all accounts) has left then it could well be worthwhile for us if we get him back on our terms.

I've bought every shirt (one for me and one for my daughter) every season basically for income for the club and to wear them frequently as a shining beacon amongst all the drudge down in the midlands.

However, the home shirt issued by Carbrini middle of last season was rubbish - the cut, design, quality of the badges and sponsor - and has put me off buying any more until there is a serious rethink about suppliers, quality and taking fan feedback into consideration.

Could we not get Barry Owen to provide fan feedback on quality of shirts and input on future shirts? Design is one thing and colour but quality has been regularly overlooked in recent seasons. The last one is the 100 years shirt by Carlotti that was decent and I've reverted to wearing this again now.

Surely with teams lower than us signing contracts with Nike, Umbro, Adidas then there's an opportunity for us now as opposed to supporting a local brand. I'd much prefer to go local, especially if John Wardle is influenced to reciprocate but Carbrini needs to improve dramatically on quality and design for the punters to start buying again. Even returning to an embroidered sponsor rather than poorly stuck on is a step in the right direction.

Recently departed player made reference to the cliques that existed and there was a general ill feeling towards a certain player in the team. With such a split within the whole team it's no wonder that things went down the pan in the latter months on the pitch.

Certain players "couldn't be bothered anymore" prior to and defintely after the dogs night.

I was shocked by some of the comments made and I'm glad that the individual has left the club along with certain others as it was evident that football wasn't the focus anymore.

Cloud has lifted, fresh approach, new direction and leadership.

HE....WILL....NOT....JOIN.....US

Let's accept it and move on

I'm genuinely excited with what I've heard so far from Penney and Gray regarding their approach and preparation for next season.

Last season I think the genuine approach, off-field activities and cliques had a negative effect on the youngsters and this affected them on the pitch.

Bringing back professionalism, discipline, commitment and focus will rejuvenate the likes of Smalley, Alessandra, Eardley and even Taylor. I'd go so far and say that our youth players plus the newbies like Brooke, Black, Dawson, Rowney and Ollerenshaw will galvanise our squad for next season, our success on the pitch and future income either through player sales or promotion.

We went backwards this season and the bad influences have been weeded out and shown the door.

There was expectation last summer but this year I think we could become the dark horses of this league with shrewd signings, one or two loan deals (possibly from Sunderland and a couple of other Prem clubs) and fast developing youth players.

I think this is a superb idea.

Due to working commitments, a very young family and distance away from Oldham, a season ticket is not a viable option for me. However, I aim to attend matches where possible and at moment pay at the gate. As I pay per match, I am sometimes swayed from not attending if something happens at short notice. Buying a five or ten game ticket will secure a financial commitment from me that means that the club benefits even if I can't attend the ten matches in that season.

Has the club commented on this?

Concern is that ST holders may choose this lower priced option but ST holders are those who have the time, live local or don't have outside commitments that prevents them from attending all games. Therefore they'd buy the ST regardless.

I'd buy now if this was offered.

It's never going to happen.

Despite his footballing brain, quality and range of passing, the quality of players around him in our team will make Scholes' inclusion not as effective as everyone would expect or hope for.

He'd also be a target for every opposing player at this level so that they can make a name for themselves in the press where he'll be hacked to pieces or marked out of the game.

Scholes is reknown for retaliation, a short fuse and poor tackling so his yellow and red card count will be greater than Hughes and Hazell combined.

Only way it'll happen is if we're in the Championship, sign three or four quality players around him and increase the likelihood of him having one final swan song before he retires.

Taylor and Eardley sold so that owners can recoup their outlay prior to selling the club.

Main asset is then the land, which is now a slow burner to develop in the current economic climate.

Once Taylor and Eardley sold, the asking price for club can be dropped to entice a buyer who is either (A) intersted in well being of the club or ( can afford to hold fire until land prices increase or economic climate allows development of the surrounding land.

Regardless of what's been said in local press and on the official site, the owners are keen to sell the club.

Any Championship club would only take Hughsey on a pay as you play contract, taking his age and his groin troubles into account

Totally agree.

Similar to Fowler who decided to plump for a last crack in the Prem with Blackburn rather than a weeklt wage with Cardiff. Fowler does have the luxury of millions in the bank plus a very, very healthy income he gets renting out all his houses. He probably earns more from the houses than he does through football now.

Lee on the other hand will welcome security of a weekly wage rather than PAYP deal the next step up. With his record when fit some teams struggling could well gamble with a full contract but failing that I can't see him going elsewhere in our League unless it's one of the bigger boys who can afford to pay him more each week than us.

Would love him to get one or two more seasons at Championshop level and in our colours though.

Absolute tosh - I can confirm 100% that he is not talking to Wolves. I don't know the player but I know Wolves and have contacts there. Spoke at board level and they laughed at me when I dropped it into conversation. They are after a striker but aiming higher that League One.

I'm bemused with this latest statement because the next home game is after the closure of the transfer window.

Therefore if Corney sells a player before the next home game then obviously attendances are irrelevant and it's just an excuse to sell a player and balance the books.

Put a gun to the head of the fans and all he's going to do is alienate the diehard fans or those considering a return through the turnstiles.

Three games, three wins and a sense of optimism finally within the stands of Boundary Park......Corney goes and fecks this all up by flogging one of the crown jewels - a catalyst to the winning - and not only does this feck off the fans but Sheridan, the rest of the team etc etc.

The only way we're going to increase the crowd is to win promotion and host clubs with a larger fanbase because we're not going to add 2-3000 to the home sections until we're up and successful back amongst the bigger boys. Wake up and smell the coffee Corney as this is the only answer to your latest threat.

Before anyone suggest that I'm ungrateful - I like the other 4,500 regulars have spent our own hard-earned money in the hope of success. That's my "investment" when you scale it down and we're speculating to accumulate, which appears to be paying off so far this season!

He made reference in a recent interview of probably playing at a lower level just so he can continue playing football, which he loves................

.................however, he didn't state that Oldham was that club so there is a lot of assumption that he's coming to us

My feeling is that he may go to the likes of Sunderland if they get relegated because of Keane

.................however, you should never say never

Has anyone else got THAT feeling? You know the one I mean.

There's been times over the last few seasons when I thought that we could get promotion. Obviously under Dowie this was more likely but starting the first Play-Off game against Blackpool, I thought we could but I wasn't 100% convinced for some reason despite it only being three games away.

However, with the strength and depth in the squad this season I have the feeling that this season will be the one. Keeping fit and injury-free, especially with Hughes, Gregan, Taylor and Liddell, is crucial but I think we have the depth to accommodate any unforeseen circumstance. If we're in with a shout come January then I believe the owners will give Shez that extra boost too.

Taylor is probably worth a cool £1 million in todays market.

He's worth more than £1 million and probably our most saleable asset ahead of Eardley and Davies. Unsure if many caught the comments in the media following today's match reports but even Adrian Durham was crowing about Taylor on Talksport saying that he's in demand and his abilities are in high regard with some of the Prem teams.

If he continues to score goals - goals like the freekick and today's second goal - then we'll struggle to keep hold of him. He has some raw talent that if nurtured by some of the leading coaches then he can make it at the highest level in my opinion.

How long is his existing contract because we need to sign him up for longer so that we can cash in if the offers are too good to turn down. I wouldn't sell for less than £2 million in the current climate as this lad will get better. Hopefully his passion as an Oldham fan will convince him that his time will come and he can help "his" team to get promotion, show his ability at the next level and then see what happens in 2009/10 season.

Lazy journalism me thinks. Pick those relegated from Championship or from season before, then a big name i.e. Leeds, then Taggart's son because we can fill a few extra lines making reference to Taggart and assumed nepotism if strengthening need. Then they're struggling as journos very rarely discuss life below the Championship with exception of Kamara. Whoops, need another team to fill the spot but struggling......ermmmmm.......another team who were higher a few seasons ago, nice stadium, recognised manager in charge......mmmm......Huddersfield, yeah Huddersfield. Well, I spend a lot of time up there and they fans aren't that optimistic and they watch them week in and week out.

I'm happy to be placed as an underdog by most as it'll hopefully act as motivation for our team to do better i.e. pin these up on the wall in changing room and say that the press have written off without a ball kicked in anger.

Also, being dark horses presents better odds when you take a punt.

Lazy journalism me thinks. Pick those relegated from Championship or from season before, then a big name i.e. Leeds, then Taggart's son because we can fill a few extra lines making reference to Taggart and assumed nepotism if strengthening need. Then they're struggling as journos very rarely discuss life below the Championship with exception of Kamara. Whoops, need another team to fill the spot but struggling......ermmmmm.......another team who were higher a few seasons ago, nice stadium, recognised manager in charge......mmmm......Huddersfield, yeah Huddersfield. Well, I spend a lot of time up there and they fans aren't that optimistic and they watch them week in and week out.

I'm happy to be placed as an underdog by most as it'll hopefully act as motivation for our team to do better i.e. pin these up on the wall in changing room and say that the press have written off without a ball kicked in anger.

Also, being dark horses presents better odds when you take a punt.

Lazy journalism me thinks. Pick those relegated from Championship or from season before, then a big name i.e. Leeds, then Taggart's son because we can fill a few extra lines making reference to Taggart and assumed nepotism if strengthening need. Then they're struggling as journos very rarely discuss life below the Championship with exception of Kamara. Whoops, need another team to fill the spot but struggling......ermmmmm.......another team who were higher a few seasons ago, nice stadium, recognised manager in charge......mmmm......Huddersfield, yeah Huddersfield. Well, I spend a lot of time up there and they fans aren't that optimistic and they watch them week in and week out.

I'm happy to be placed as an underdog by most as it'll hopefully act as motivation for our team to do better i.e. pin these up on the wall in changing room and say that the press have written off without a ball kicked in anger.

Also, being dark horses presents better odds when you take a punt.

From memory, I attended Cardiff at Home (2002), Brighton at Home (2003), Luton Away (2004) then decided not to attend the Yeovil game at home (2005).

I then returned back in 2006 when I travelled to Tranmere but last season, I decided not to attend the home game against Swansea.

Can you see the trend? This is 100% true so I'm afraid I won't be attending against Milwall this Saturday despite wanting to!

My most favourite one has to be against Liverpool at Anfield. Couldn't get a ticket so stood in the Kop and I'm afraid I couldn't help myself from going off on one when The Pearl scored to put us 1-0 up. Despite the circumstances, the Liverpool fans were great and were quick to return the compliment when we end 2-1 down at the end.

Can't believe it's only 4 days until season starts again. This may have been posted elsewhere so apologies for Titanic moment but who would be in your starting eleven plus subs? A packet of spangles for the nearest to the pin answer come 3pm.........................

GK - Crossley

LB - Lomax

CB - Hazell

CB - Gregan

RB - Eardley

LW - Phillips

CM - Whittaker

CM - Maher

RW - Taylor

ST - Davies

ST - O'Grady

Subs - Fleming, Stam, Allott, Smalley, Alessandra

Who's your choice?

Tonight's rarely wrong Chron says it's the Club's biggest ever sponsorship deal.

That's great news.

One question though - they also say a slight change to the design of the home shirt.

Does this simply mean Carbrini replaces Hillstone cross the front or it's essentially a new home shirt i.e. Carbrini replacing Hillstone and Carlotti plus a new shirt design? Surely as Carlotti and Carbrini are owned by same company then the same shirt design can be used?!

If it's a change then those who own or recently bought the Carlotti shirt deserve a discount on the new home shirt, would they not? Some are less fortunate than others with kids who won't want the "old" shirt. Appreciate the circumstances but the club have been paid up by Hillstone.

£3 million for Eardley??!! Football has gone mad but if Ince is willing to pay then I have a meeting up there later this week and can pick up Neal on the way and even pay for the coffee during the contract discussions.

Can't see it myself and I reckon we'd rip their hand off for 66% less than that!

That'll keep the wolves from the door for the rest of this season, pay for Phillips, a new RB, a new LB and Scholes on loan for the last month of season when we go up!

This must have been in pipeline for ages after the rumblings of Hillstone and the pinch in the construction industry. How long has the new batch of away kit and merchandise been "on order" at the club shop?

The delay was to allow Hillstone to be replaced by Cabrini but what about Carbrini replacing Carlotti? Both brands are owned by JD Sports so perhaps Carlotti will remain for the home and third kits but Cabrini on the Away. Carbrini could then replace Carlotti for the new home and away kits in Season 2009/10.

It'll be unfair if the home kit is totally rebranded with manufacturer and sponsor because kids will want the new one and being a parent, I've already forked out for kits for my little one so that she's a beacon shining out from the likes of Villa, Blues, Wolves, Coventry, Derby....and on...and on......

Hopefully a further announcement from Alan will dispel any concerns?!

The key reason for our failure last season was injuries and a smaller squad. We've now addressed this by growing the squad with experience as well as ability so arguably this is a huge positive going into the new season. Add to this our new physio who appears to have identified the root problems to our injuries then that's an added bonus.

Shez have confirmed that we have two people for every position (with exception of LB and LW I would suggest) who are more than capable to perform at our level so surely there must be a degree of confidence going into the new season?!

The catalyst to how we perform is motivating the team and delivering consistency - this can only come from the Manager and Coaches. So may times last season we struggled but didn't have the squad to replace key people for the next game so had to persevere hoping that they come good. This should change next season so we can react quickly rather than rely on underperformers.

Still nothing is guaranteed but I'm far more optimistic this season than I have been for the last three or four. Granted that other teams have strengthened and paid hefty fees but paying a fee doesn't guarantee that the player will be brilliant. I still think we can more than compete against these teams and return from the likes of Walker Stadium, Elland Road etc with points in the bag.