Bolton News

Scouting Report: Oldham

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We take a look at the Latics. The ones from Oldham, not that lot from the DW

Ahead of the clash of Oldham on Saturday, we asked if any Latics fans would want to speak to us about their team. One user, by the name of Tics1895, was happy to do so. We get the story of their eventful preseason, and look at what to watch out for on Saturday.

You also may be tempted to put lots of money on there being under 1.5 goals once you’ve read this.

You’re 21st in the league at the moment. Underachieving, or a fair reflection?

I think 21st is a fair reflection. We seem to be doing better away from home having lost just the once but we’re also yet to win at home. But three wins on the trot have given the fans hope that there is better things to come.

You started pre-season with just five players. How did that happen and how have you built from there?

Yeah, not the most comforting stat I must admit. It seemingly started when John Sheridan left for Notts County.

He had done a fantastic job towards the end of the season and kept us up with games to spare. We looked to kick on and had offered numerous players new contracts and then it came that Shez was off to Notts County. It came as a shock to us. We thought he was here for good to fulfil his legend status.

So off Sheridan went and so did the players, nearly all of them turning down the offers put to them, we also sold our number one goalkeeper Joel Coleman to Huddersfield and was left with a handful of contracted players, two first team players and the other three youth players.

We had no manager to add to the list of things. Finally two weeks in to preseason we had a manager in Steve Robinson, Northern Ireland’s number two at the time.

He made a instant impact with signings. We signed Ryan Flynn, Peter Clarke, Cameron Burgess and Paul Green plus more, over 20 in a two week period to be exact. In fact we were that far behind other clubs we’ve only just started to remember who is who.

What should we expect tactically from Oldham on Saturday?

Tactically Oldham look to have a solid defence first. Our record up until recently of having the most clean sheets in the entire Football League may give you an idea.

Midfield is also solid but can create a little too mainly through Ryan Flynn and Ousmane Fane, a towering Frenchman who looks to have a bright future.

Scoring is our problem. We’re not exactly prolific and have really struggled to put the chances away hence why we’re towards the bottom. If you don’t score you can’t win!

Which Oldham players should we look out for?

I’d say if there was anyone who has the ability to stand out it’s got to be Carl Winchester he’s a talented boy and can be the creative spark we need. The only problem is he only turns up when he wants but he has forced his way back in to the starting 11 and hopefully can kick on and use his potential. Also I’d have to mention Peter Clarke at the back – no nonsense type of defender and deservedly our club captain.

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