The official site described the collapse of the colinder like defending by saying, “the Latics defence had looked shambolic, verging on the ridiculous”. Steve Mildenhall was draughted in to replace a confidence lacking Les Pogliacomi between the sticks, in what Talbot’s last throw of the dice logic was, “I’ve tried everything else!” The stunned Mildenhall had to pick the ball out of his own net five times, apparently none of them his fault. Athletic’s only goal came in the 56th. minute when Haining scored with an easy header.
In a week where the manager has ruffled many feathers of the Latics diehard with some remarkably unbelievable quotes he offered the following summing up after their seventh straight defeat, “We had chances and our play with the ball was actually OK. But defensively it was very poor and we paid for our mistakes yet again. Their two strikers are as good as anything and we couldn't cope. We lost our captain early in the game but no excuses for what happened. It was very disappointing and we have to do something about it. Steve Mildenhall and Alex Bruce came in and we have signed Guy Branston in the last few days so I have tried everything with the players I have got. I felt sorry for the ‘keeper because it was his debut but he had no chance with any of the goals.”
“I am due to meet two of the owners this week and I am sure they will want to discuss the performance. They were at the game and they have seen it for themselves. We are in a disastrous run and the confidence is low. But there is no point on worrying about my position, that situation is out of my hands.”
Firstly - “We had chances and our play with the ball was actually OK”. How could our play be OK if we lost 5-1? “His” (emphasis on his) team have conceded 16 goals in their last 4 games and have a run of 7 straight defeats.
Secondly - “I am due to meet two of the owners this week and I am sure they will want to discuss the performance”. Understatement of the week, as both Simon Corney and Simon Blitz were unfortunate enough to have witnessed the whole affair at Ashton Gate. If I had invested what they have in the team I would be seething at the Latics current situation. When the Three Amigos took over at Boundary Park they insisted that relegation was not an option. As Mr. Talbot has openly admitted that he has exhausted all his playing options, it appears that relegation will be inevitable rather than 'not an option' unless drastic steps are taken immediately.
Rumours are rife that all is not well in the dressing room and that the players won’t play for Talbot. If this is the case we are doomed unless the owners take the bull by the horn and act now to remedy the current deplorable position that the club find themselves in. The players have been humiliated in public but should have more pride than they are currently showing. Never mind they won’t play for the manager. They are well paid professionals and should have the professionalism to play for their fans, the shirt, the club, their own pride and also to earn some of the high wages that they are being paid.
Athletic are now just 2 points and 2 places above a relegation spot and as Brian says, “there is no point on worrying about my position, that situation is out of my hands”. I expect the owners to make an official statement within the next two days as to how they will put the situation right.