Scouting report: Oldham Athletic
SEASON SO FAR…Having plied their trade in the third tier of English football for almost two decades, Oldham Athletic will be hopeful that they can make their mark on Sky Bet League One this term.
With a number of bottom-half league finishes under their belts in recent years, the Latics haven’t finished higher than tenth in the past seven seasons – form which has meant that they have become part of the furniture in this division.
A tag that Athletic will be aiming to shake off sooner rather than later, they haven’t exactly started the current campaign in scintillating form and with 12 games played, have collected the same number of points.
But despite currently occupying the final relegation spot as they sit in 21st in the table, they will be buoyed by the fact that one victory could see them rise up to mid-table given the proximity of teams in the league at present.
Having also lifted themselves off the foot of the table courtesy of a 2-1 away win at Gillingham last weekend, Steve Robinson’s side will make their first ever visit to Macron Stadium this afternoon eager to continue their form on their travels.
In fact, they are unbeaten on the road in five outings in all competitions while outside of their league exploits, they reached the second round of the Capital One Cup before while in their Checkatrade Trophy campaign, they currently have three points to their name ahead of the final round of group fixtures.
RECENT FORM• D 0-0 –
Coventry City A - Sky Bet League One – 17/9/2016
• L 0-2 –
Swindon Town H - Sky Bet League One – 24/9/2016
• D 1-1 –
Charlton Athletic A - Sky Bet League One – 27/9/2016
• L 0-2 –
MK Dons H - Sky Bet League One – 01/10/2016
• W 0-2 –
Fleetwood Town A - Checkatrade Trophy – 04/10/2016
• W 1-2 –
Gillingham A - Sky Bet League One – 08/10/2016
THE MANAGER: STEVE ROBINSONAn experienced and highly regarded coach, Steve Robinson linked up with Oldham back in July from Motherwell having recently been the first team coach with Northern Ireland in France during Euro 2016.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]As a player, he figured most prominently for AFC Bournemouth and Luton Town alongside stints with Tottenham Hotspur, Leyton Orient, Preston North End and Bristol City.
Also gaining seven international caps for Northern Ireland, Robinson made the transition into coaching after retiring with his homeland and their Under 16s.
Quickly gaining a reputation as a talented coach, he continued to work his way up through the ranks with Northern Ireland before being appointed first team coach in the current set up under Michael O’Neill.
Helping the team reach the last 16 of Euro 2016 just a matter of months ago meanwhile, Robinson made the switch to English football just three months ago with Boundary Park his latest port of call.
KEY PLAYER: BILLY MCKAYA man who has scored goals at each and every club he has figured for, Northern Ireland international frontman Billy McKay made the move to Sky Bet League One with Oldham on a season-long loan from parent club Wigan Athletic.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]The striker actually started his foray into the game meanwhile with Leicester City as a youngster, turning professional at the King Power Stadium in 2007.
He moved to Northampton Town after a loan spell with Hinckley Town, enjoying two seasons with the Cobblers before moving north of the border with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
His three-and-a-half year spell with the Scottish outfit proved to be a successful one, with him featuring heavily ahead of his move to the DW Stadium last January.
However, he returned to Scotland last summer, signing for Dundee United on a season-long loan deal before moving to the Latics on a similar deal in July.
LAST OLDHAM ATHLETIC XI (v Gillingham, W 1-2)Ripley, Wilson, Clarke, Burgess, Reckord, Flynn, Winchester (Croft 59), Fane, Green, McKay (Ladapo 61), Erwin (Banks 89).
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