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Phil Parkinson believes perspiration rather than inspiration will be the key to Wanderers making it three wins on the spin.
Well aware of Oldham Athletic’s excellent form away from home for the last 12 months, the Whites boss is more concerned with keeping the points column ticking over tomorrow than winning over the purists.
Some fans have griped about the style of football served up by Wanderers in the last few months – and no-one can argue that a return of 11 goals from 12 games leaves little margin for error.
Parkinson has set about trying sharpen his side’s attacking edge and has been pleased with what he has seen at Lostock this week.
But he has warned his players – and by extension the fans – about underestimating a side sitting 21st in the table, and believes attitude is key to winning the game.
“I remember last year we beat them 1-0 at Bradford in one of John Sheridan’s first games and there was a negativity around the ground that we’d only won by a single goal,” he said.
“I went out in the press afterwards and said I was astonished at the reaction.
“Every team deserves to be respected and the minute you start taking anybody lightly, especially a team like Oldham who’ve done well away from home, you’re in for a shock.
“We have to make sure we guard against that and get ready to work just as hard as we did against Swindon to get a result.
“We have talked with the lads about Oldham’s work ethic and the form they’ve showed on their travels – and we have got to be ready to match that.
“It’s a local derby, there will be a good away following, and I’d imagine it will be a decent crowd. But we have to respect their form not only this year but also last year as well. We have to roll our sleeves up if we’re going to win.”
Six of the players involved from the start at Swindon were involved in the club’s relegation from the Championship, and a further three on the bench.
That team won just five games all season – a total which could be surpassed if Wanderers beat the Latics tomorrow.
Oldham boss Steve Robinson believes Wanderers have the strongest squad in the division. And despite the financial problems faced by the club it is hard to argue that the team-sheet does not still have some star quality – even if some of the brighter lights have shone a little dimly in the last few months.
So should the Whites be finding League One easier?
“Anyone knows English football doesn’t work like that,” said Parkinson. “The standard is high and the dividing line between teams is slight. If you go into a game thinking an extra bit of quality is enough to win it, you’ll get a surprise because even the best teams can get turned over if they don’t turn up.
“Manchester City have been flying this year but in previous years they have been guilty of that – showing up and thinking the players they have will win it on quality alone.
“We don’t have that luxury. We know it has to be effort and effort alone which wins us games of football, and to be fair to the lads they have not let us down.”
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Well aware of Oldham Athletic’s excellent form away from home for the last 12 months, the Whites boss is more concerned with keeping the points column ticking over tomorrow than winning over the purists.
Some fans have griped about the style of football served up by Wanderers in the last few months – and no-one can argue that a return of 11 goals from 12 games leaves little margin for error.
Parkinson has set about trying sharpen his side’s attacking edge and has been pleased with what he has seen at Lostock this week.
But he has warned his players – and by extension the fans – about underestimating a side sitting 21st in the table, and believes attitude is key to winning the game.
“I remember last year we beat them 1-0 at Bradford in one of John Sheridan’s first games and there was a negativity around the ground that we’d only won by a single goal,” he said.
“I went out in the press afterwards and said I was astonished at the reaction.
“Every team deserves to be respected and the minute you start taking anybody lightly, especially a team like Oldham who’ve done well away from home, you’re in for a shock.
“We have to make sure we guard against that and get ready to work just as hard as we did against Swindon to get a result.
“We have talked with the lads about Oldham’s work ethic and the form they’ve showed on their travels – and we have got to be ready to match that.
“It’s a local derby, there will be a good away following, and I’d imagine it will be a decent crowd. But we have to respect their form not only this year but also last year as well. We have to roll our sleeves up if we’re going to win.”
Six of the players involved from the start at Swindon were involved in the club’s relegation from the Championship, and a further three on the bench.
That team won just five games all season – a total which could be surpassed if Wanderers beat the Latics tomorrow.
Oldham boss Steve Robinson believes Wanderers have the strongest squad in the division. And despite the financial problems faced by the club it is hard to argue that the team-sheet does not still have some star quality – even if some of the brighter lights have shone a little dimly in the last few months.
So should the Whites be finding League One easier?
“Anyone knows English football doesn’t work like that,” said Parkinson. “The standard is high and the dividing line between teams is slight. If you go into a game thinking an extra bit of quality is enough to win it, you’ll get a surprise because even the best teams can get turned over if they don’t turn up.
“Manchester City have been flying this year but in previous years they have been guilty of that – showing up and thinking the players they have will win it on quality alone.
“We don’t have that luxury. We know it has to be effort and effort alone which wins us games of football, and to be fair to the lads they have not let us down.”
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