14 replies to this topic

[beacs]

The problem with Oldham is NOT CH at the mo , the problem is TONY BENSON , tactically got it wrong again today trying to constantly play down the middle against a huge pack , he has had his chances now and he has failed to improve the suad or the way it plays , YES injuries played a major part this year i dont doubt it , but soem of the players are not even injured and just not turning up ,

Heard soem fans SLAGGING off Gillam today , he has been out for a long time through a toe injury and lacked match fitness and because he got caught out once in second half he was SLAGGED OFF , i have done nothing but support Oldham Rugby all my life and now in MY opinion a big coaching change is needed , I know who i want as coach and so does a few people who i know , and even the Coach i think should be in charge wants to be at Oldham sorting the mess out .

My vote for new coach = MATT CALLAND ( best record in championship in 4 years in charge at FAX )

[allroughyed]

I'm not sure that a change of coach would make much difference. You could put Wayne Bennett in charge and I doubt you would see any change . We don't appear to have our first choice 17 every week. We got great wins against worky and barrow . Look at Rochdale, first 17 available every week, and losing. Keep the faith, support Benson and the team, and we'll get there

[Roughyedz]

Could Not Afford Him ............. full stop although I agree with your sentiments ......... We need a Yonner in Charge

[shaw llewellyn]

As TBozz states on the other thread " Credit to the Scorpions who were better organised, utilised dummy runners in nearly every play and had the skill and guile to attack the gain line with lots of support options."

That is the biggest problem. We have played the same one man rugby for five weeks and not won a game. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the sign of naivety at best. There needs to be a change in coaching tactics and if that means a new coach then so be it. The players are giving everything, even if they make mistakes, but they need to be given direction ( and maybe some defensive coaching )

[winedrinkerme]

like to think this would happen but how would we find the money to pay benson off and then pay mc

[OldhamGal]

Why would Matt Calland want to come to Oldham?

[thecrab]

Cannot see Matt Calland comin to us at all
We need a change....it's blatantly obvious
You can see it in the players, they need a lift
Time for CH to stand up and be counted
Over to you CH...

[m brooksy]

Feel really sorry for the likes of Greenwood and Ward. They work their blood to water week in week out and are reason why we have kept the scores close when the performances would indicate we should be nowhere near the opposition. Gillam and Noone had shockers yesterday but they've been out for a lengthy period of time with injury and are proven performers for Oldham.

Unfortunately there are a lot of players getting picked who are nowhere near deserving a shirt and its showing out on the pitch. I really don't understand our recruitment policy over the last month. It was clear we needed some quality at centre and half back along with a quality prop. Instead we've signed a 36 year old half back, a prop not good enough for Hunslet and two reserves from Halifax and Keighley(Although I think Reed looks a decent player). We've lost three games we had to win and promotion is all but gone. Major changes need to be made but I fear we've left it too late already.

[ruffyed]

Well in spite of another well below par performance on Saturday we are somehow a point nearer to the 4th promotion spot after todays results ...thanks Barrow... but if we are to make up the 3 points we are adrift we cannot rely on others to keep doing us favours ...we need to recover our early season form and get back to winning ways .. and soon .Think the turning point in the season was the CC match against Saints . Whilst the other teams had a week off to rest and freshen up their acts we had to put our already depleted squad up against a very good full strength SL side and how we have suffered for it since with an ever growing injury list and a succession of defeats resulting in a collective loss of confidence throughout the squad . Nobody would question that the players have been giving their all but the harder they try to put things right the more mistakes are made and no matter what they have practiced in training all week the players tend to go into their shells and resort to one man rugby which is so boring to watch and easy to defend against . The players put in extra training sessions last week to try to put things right and integrate the new signings which I can understand but on the evidence of Saturday this didn't work so I think exactly the opposite should be tried now . I think what the players really need is a break to reduce the anxiety levels ...as we have no match next week I'd tell the players to keep well away from the club... with the exception of those needing treatment .. and totally forget about RL for a week and then come back refreshed and ready to go again ... get in some good training sessions ...and hopefully have a few more injured players back . Win the next 2 matches and we can still get our season back on track .... lose them and we 'll more than likely just be playing for pride for the rest of the season.

[roughyed48]

Calland is not presumably the yes man CH has ?

[oldhamer]

Top post Ruffyed, a break will do everyone a world of good.
To lose players like Stenchion, Clarke, Roden, Noone, Smith, Onyango, Robinson and Gillam for the length of time we have would have a massive impact on team selection at any club. Out of those 8, 7 would be in the 17, and that is a massive percentage to lose at any level. I guess it is always difficult to get players on loan from other Championship and Championship 1 clubs at this time of the season, as clubs have small squads, and reluctant to let people out on loan, especially to a rival club. But we have brought in Holroyd, Toothill, Reed and Holroyde who have bolstered the numbers up and will need a few games to settle. For me, Graham Holroyd did ok on Saturday, some of his balls out to the fringes were excellent,as was his kicking, and he defended well when needed to. Fustrating that the boys didn't get that win, but I guess the players are equally fustrated. I have always been a believer that sometimes players can do too much, and this is the scenario at present. They are desperate to get out of this rut they are in at the moment, and try and push things that are not there i.e. panic. It happens, When we are are at nearly full strength like the Barrow games/Workington, we look good sharp and defencively sound, and I still think that will be the case.

Do I think we will get promotion? Yes I do, yet it will be very difficult, but not impossibile. By the time the next game comes around after the long lay off next week, we should be back to nearly full strength and I will reserve my judgement then.

Edited by oldhamer, 28 May 2012 - 08:19 AM.

[TOSH1960]

Top post Ruffyed, a break will do everyone a world of good.
To lose players like Stenchion, Clarke, Roden, Noone, Smith, Onyango, Robinson and Gillam for the length of time we have would have a massive impact on team selection at any club. Out of those 8, 7 would be in the 17, and that is a massive percentage to lose at any level. I guess it is always difficult to get players on loan from other Championship and Championship 1 clubs at this time of the season, as clubs have small squads, and reluctant to let people out on loan, especially to a rival club. But we have brought in Holroyd, Toothill, Reed and Holroyde who have bolstered the numbers up and will need a few games to settle. For me, Graham Holroyd did ok on Saturday, some of his balls out to the fringes were excellent,as was his kicking, and he defended well when needed to. Fustrating that the boys didn't get that win, but I guess the players are equally fustrated. I have always been a believer that sometimes players can do too much, and this is the scenario at present. They are desperate to get out of this rut they are in at the moment, and try and push things that are not there i.e. panic. It happens, When we are are at nearly full strength like the Barrow games/Workington, we look good sharp and defencively sound, and I still think that will be the case.

Do I think we will get promotion? Yes I do, yet it will be very difficult, but not impossibile. By the time the next game comes around after the long lay off next week, we should be back to nearly full strength and I will reserve my judgement then.

I totally agree, i may have rose tinted glasses but folks must be wearing blinkers or something if they don't realise the effect so many injuries are having. Even many of those who have played recently have played with injuries. A break and some time to recover couldn't come at a better time.

[rugbyman1]

Was very worried after the game, thought all was lost, however the other results went our way so we live to fight another day - just.I don't think we have a problem in the pack who gave as good as they got and put us in good positions time and time again (as they did against Whitehaven), but after that we lack a bit of imagination and did throw a few panick passes when consolidation would have maintained momentum. The lads will rally round for TB and a couple of wins will certainly help moral.SW are no push overs though and with all teams going for promotion nothing can be taken for granted.Not sure a change in coach would help, with N Roden back for the next game hopefully this will help.All we as fans can do is keep lifting the lads.Thought the reaction by Kev n those behind the sticks on Saturday was supperb. 100% Oldham

[ruffyed]

Thought the reaction by Kev n those behind the sticks on Saturday was supperb. 100% Oldham

Couldn't agree more ...anyone can give the players a rousing send off after a win but it takes a special kind of supporter to do the same after another disappointing defeat ... and thats when the players most need that support ...I'm sure that it gave them a massive lift and will make them more determined than ever to put things right on the pitch. Keep up the good work Kev and Co .

[oldham13]

Well said Ruffyed!!

Oldham RLFC blood runs through our veins, so lets keep shouting and cheering OUR team on for the rest of the season!