Then I shall look objectively at each post then Sammy, however, my reactions, in the past, have been to down right rudeness and unnecessary withering comments by some here. If the perpetrator of said comments continues to hide under the banner of “it’s only a wind up” when challenged, then maybe they too need to look inward at their approach to comments on the board.

Merry Christmas

And that’s why my grandson (and some of his friends) stay clear of commenting on this board.

I’m just a “daft old twat” here at the annoyance of some on this board – there you go eh?[/quote]

I think it’s more pity than annoyance.[/quote]

You see I’d take pity, over the floods of easy ridicule poured upon your every contribution. I, after all, have nothing to prove and when people laugh in my company they laugh with me unlike people in your company – I think you can guess the rest.

Merry Christmas fat lad.

I think that we all knew that there was only ever going to be one outcome to this, and today I feel sad. However, “the Press can move on to something else, I don’t think that is going to happen any time soon. There is a nasty southern underclass within the popular press (particularly the Red Tops) who like nothing better than to birch us til we bleed and will take great pleasure in continuing this saga with Mackay still in position.

I truly hope that he has the strength of character to ride this out and prove to everyone that he is the right man for the job so that we can go about our business of playing good football and entertaining the fans.

Egg, I’m not saying it’s the holy grail but depending on the quality of you playing staff 4-4-2 is possibly best suited to the average player. Take wing backs, I hate the modern wing back for the sole reason that you have to be of the highest calibre to be able to play the role effectively. The Ashley Coles of the world are like rocking horse shit. You cannot expect a full back who has been playing in a flat back four to suddenly become a wing back. It is imho possibly the most specialised position in the outfield and you must be lightening fast and quick thinking to be able to play the role. If you put an average player in the role it can provide you with a whole world of defensive problems. Modern formations and modern players need to be adaptable and here lies the key for Malky, how to get the right one. You certainly cannot put 2 up top in any format, it needs thought and maybe the gaffer is keeping familiarity until he is happy he knows where the quality is and which formation is best suited. 4-4-2 may not be the best way anymore but if you don’t possess the players good enough to play other formats then it is certainly not the worst either.[/quote]

If I may say, that was very well put. I agree the modern game has changed over the years, however, the playing staff pot we get to chose our players from do not contain those with the gifted skills to carry it off.

To take on the 442 debate, I think it unfair for those who are vehemently against it, just because it does not fit with current playing practices or Spanish/German/Brazilian ethos – it’s about applying the right formation for the right game. If, say during a game, the manager sees that switching to that formation may be of benefit and confusing to the opposition then why not have it ‘in your locker’. I’m not saying set your team out from the outset in a 442 formation but train them how to adapt to that if the need arises. Just think of it – if no one is playing it that way, nor training for it then it could be difficult for teams to deal with. I suppose what I’m saying is – don’t dismiss it out of hand, you never know when it could be useful. Great military leaders have used tactics employed hundreds/thousands of years prior to great effect – (consider all the options) the sign of a good leader.

Are you absolutely stark raving bonkers or what. My grandson text me to say he and his mates have just read your last nonsensical, made-up, delusional clap trap post and you are now confirmed as Wigans biggest balloon – and laughing stock to boot.

Where on earth are these other sensible posters lining up questioning my sanity, worth and ability to understand written English(you see I have capitalised the adjective ‘English’ for you – I would have expected you to have known that being a published author and all that)? Are you referring to The Egg’s statement about ‘what colour is the sky’, or that well known social commentator thty5? Either way, you prove time and time again how little is your grasp of what is real and what isn’t.

Further I find your mental interpretation of my retired lifestyle rather intriguing. Perhaps this is how you see yourself ending up along with your sweeper co-workers sometime in the future – when you eventually reach that mellow age of 67. Me? As a retired Chartered Manager I like to mix my time up by laughing at the inadequacies of some of the posters on this board (you) whilst enjoying my conservatory, a bit of golf here and there, the company of friends in my club and at least 4 holidays abroad a year. Travel, it really does broaden the mind you know – try it. Your first challenge would be to step outside of that empty head of yours.

Anyway you just carry on in that little narcissistic world of yours whilst the future generations of Wigan laugh at you for being so incredibly [there are far too many words I would like to enter here – none of which are complimentary].

Honestly, and I know this for a fact, there are quite a few (on here) who do laugh at you and your tired excuses and insults time after time. Try to be nice, you never know, people may be nice back to you.

I often think “oh dear” when you post and get constantly shown up only to argue the point over and phookin over again :S

and then there were three.

I’m not even going to try and explain it to you. :S

That’s not what I’ve tried to achieve with that article Griff. It would be great if we could get a united effort to make a statement here, but if people feel that’s not the right thing to do then it’s their call. There will always be people who overstep the mark, but the core point remains – clubs are taking the mick and will continue to until fans make it clear they’re not having it anymore.[/quote]

I like the sentiment of your article and may I applaude the initiative to get some well needed funds in for the Brick Homeless Charity.

Well done.

Oh Jesus, you can’t even come up with a decent put down. Is that the best you can do? You could at least have had the decency to include bald, in there.

I’m off to the pub. So bored with you, it’s not true[/quote]

Nah! Bald is so yesterday. I’d venture to say that everyone has used that as a put down to date.