[SaltergateBorn]

Well, they say an early goal makes a big difference; clearly , 2 of `em make an even bigger one.

I know I`m slightly less than impartial, but I do think the scoreline flattered Oldham. We could and should have had a few more – again – and other than when we gave the ball away in midfield and allowed them the chance to counter, I can`t remember them creating a great deal. Probably their best chance was in the first half when Covolan was caught too far off his line and their guy lobbed him but it landed on the roof of the net. In fairness, he was probably still feeling guilty about having buggered up my prediction at Dorking and was just trying to make amends. (It`s alright, Lucas; I appreciate the gesture, but there`s really no need.) I should also say that, apart from that one instance, I can`t remember him looking anything other than solid as a rock.

Oldham seemed to be short on confidence at times – which we`re certainly not at the moment. In fact, that was one of our only 2 weaknesses to my thinking. I know I`m nit-picking here, but we sometimes tried to be too intricate in midfield when we didn`t need to be and gave the ball away as a result. Having said that, I still prefer us to go looking for more goals to kill the game off rather than sitting back and giving the initiative away. It meant that I wasn`t quite as nervous in those last 10 minutes as I could have been – although I still was.

We really do need to start putting away a few more of the chances we`re creating, though. That was our only other weakness yesterday. With a bit more calmness in front of goal we really could have given our goal difference a healthy boost, as did all our main competitors. That could come back to bite us at the end of the season. Joe Quigley`s hold-up and lay-off play were brilliant, but he did scuff a couple of chances in the second half that he really should have put away. Should have had a hat-trick.

The lad from Arsenal looked a real talent when he came on. Strong, fast, creative. Shame we can`t have him for the whole season .

All in all, I came away a very happy bunny – why wouldn`t I? – and starting to wonder whether my uncanny and unwanted knack of putting the mokkers on us whenever I turn up is starting to fade. That`s 2 wins in 5 days I`ve seen at grounds where we rarely do anything. It must be 50, probably nearer 60, years since I`ve been to Boundary Park and I can`t believe how its surroundings have changed from what I remember. It used to be quite Lowryesque; grim, semi-derelict factory buildings that perfectly matched my mood when we lost. Now it`s a modern housing estate; all very pleasant. How some of these old mill-towns have changed is unbelievable.

I like the ground, too. It`s changed but kept its character.

[Devongone]

Thanks for a lovely, very personal report on the game. It sounds like you, so that takes the rest of us there with you!

I was very worried by the look of the team, particularly Dobra, still struggling with injury and Tshimanga not travelling.

I was worried by our new signing too. Akinola's previous loan up in Dundee was a miserable experience. He played one half and was taken off. And he got shipped unwanted back to Arsenal for treatment having been injured. But on the positive side Arsenal had spotted him in lower league clubs in England, and Dundee had actually been very encouraging, saying that sometimes it can take several loans before the true player shows through. And, of course, Harry Kane is the best example, ended up deep in midfield at Leicester, didn't do that much elsewhere either to suggest here was an England captain and top goal scorer. So it was particularly pleasing to read SGB's positive comments on our new player.

Two goals in the first eight minutes is great, and it sounds so obviously true that it's not worth saying - that those few minutes can dictate the whole pattern of the game. Of course those minutes can also presage a seven goal thriller, but sometimes the side that scored the goals just carries on playing as if they are two up, and the side who are two down carry on to illustrate why throughout the game. Of course watching, when you are 2-0 up you cannot help thinking that something bad is bound to happen the longer that score line doesn't change ....... There isn't a football fan in the world who doesn't long to see his side grab that third goal.

It was very noticeable that the three sides chasing us all felt the need to bang in five. Are they demonstrating ability, or perhaps their own insecurity? Certainly, although I think Wrexham will finally win the league this time, I am also convinced that they are potentially vulnerable. When things don't happen for them they do, like a British tennis player, start to choke.

Thanks so much for taking us to Oldham, Salts. But it'll have to improve a lot more before I add it to my list of places I could potentially live. But they are another club I want to see back in the EFL. Five divisions of twenty clubs each still seems the way to go for me. You could easily come up with eight clubs from the National League worthy of EFL status.

[Lord Snooty]

Ruddy 'ooligans!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62796999

[Devongone]

Hallam Hope has long been known as an utter t...

Why the hell can't we do anything normal? Everyone else just treats him like a t... or a p.... Everyone realises he might have been a very good player indeed if anything sensible happened inside his head.

What on earth is wrong with just walking away?

They should throw the book at us. We should duck.

What on earth are we going to do when we come up against Nathan Ashmore?

We avoid selling Tshimanga. So someone else looks for a sine die suspension. Whatever went down, who so ever was to blame, there is no excuse! JEEEEEZZZZZUSSSS!

[SaltergateBorn]

Nuffink to do wiv me, guv. No idea when or where it happened, but I was definitely somewhere else at the time

[Devongone]

Good to hear you avoided trouble.

If the rumours are correct as to the identity of the attacker then if the FA hits him with a sine die suspension his career is over anyway. Why we need a bloke to put on the bench and take the place of a second keeper I've no idea. Loz Maguire has played very well as a defensive midfielder in the past in any case.

All this and Liz Truss too.