Hotshot Latics have rivals in their sights
OLDHAM HAVE ALMOST HIT GOAL TALLY FOR WHOLE OF LAST SEASON
OLDHAM’S entertaining hot-shots are back in the swing of training, with six points in their sights against supposedly inferior opponents.
Both Rochdale, who make the short trip to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday, and AFC Wimbledon who travel north three days later, are stationed below Richie Wellens’ sharp-shooters in the League One table.
That represents something of a respite for an Oldham side who have already faced 11 of the division’s top 12 sides in their 16 outings so far.
Despite that tough opening raft of fixtures, it hasn’t stopped the team from causing huge problems to the opposition in front of goal.
In terms of league goals only, inform loan man Eoin Doyle has registered nine so far to already top the tally of last term’s top scorer Lee Erwin (eight). Strike partner Craig Davies (seven) isn’t far behind either.
And taking the side as a whole, only Rotherham and Wigan have scored more league goals than Oldham’s 27 in 16 games.
That impressive haul is only FOUR goals short of the entire total for last season, across 46 matches.
At the other end of the pitch, though, Wellens’ side have been generous. Already, with just over a third of the season played out, 35 goals have been leaked.
That is nine shy of last season’s entire total and, as it stands, it is the worst defensive record in League One.
With Anthony Gerrard and Brian Wilson stepping in to defence for the recent 4-1 home win over a young Newcastle side in the Checkatrade Trophy, Wellens will be pondering his defensive options ahead of the Dale test.
In Gerrard’s last three Oldham outings, the side has conceded only once.
While the majority of the team selects itself – with an increasing supporting cast itching to make a difference off the bench as injuries clear up – there is also a call to be made in midfield.
Gevero Nepomuceno, who was due to be in action for Curacao only for their international friendly to be cancelled, could get the nod ahead of Queensy Menig, while Ryan Flynn is also pushing to be involved.