Stick with us, urges Sheridan

JOHN Sheridan says he is not bothered about listening to his critics as Oldham look to secure their first win of the season tonight.

The Latics travel to Bristol Rovers bottom of League One with just one draw and five defeats from their opening five matches.

But after more encouraging performances against Fleetwood and Charlton, Sheridan has urged his side to believe in themselves and insists the wins will come.

He told the club’s website: “At the start of the season we’ve played teams in and around the top of the table, Fleetwood and Charlton, I don’t think there’s too much between the teams in the division.

“We’ve shown in the last two games, against Charlton, who I think will be up there, and Fleetwood who are a good footballing side, we’ve proved we can match teams and we just have to believe in ourselves.

“I feel as though if we give a performance like against Charlton and Fleetwood then we’ve got a good chance of getting something.

“It’s difficult when you’re not winning, but the most important thing is to stick together as a group, try to get through it and, hopefully, we turn a corner and we go to a tough game against Bristol Rovers believing we can get our first win.

“It’s hard for everyone, when you’re losing people start talking rubbish, saying this that and the other, you just have to get on with your job.

“I know what this game is about, it doesn’t really bother me too much what people are saying outside, I’m bothered about the team, I’m bothered about the supporters who are having a hard time at the moment.

“I know the supporters are behind me and I really respect their support they give me and I want to try and give them something back and I’m not giving them anything at the moment because we’re not winning, it’s my job to turn that around for them.”

Fellow League One strugglers Rochdale host Doncaster Rovers looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

And manager Keith Hill has said his players - and himself - have to hold their nerve.

He said: “I have got to try to see the wood within the trees because I have got to try to develop these players to the sort of standard the opposition are operating at, not just individually, but as a team.”

Bury, meanwhile, travel to Fleetwood.