Q. Oldham went and did what we did the previous summer and brought in a whole new squad. It failed to work for us, can you see it working at Boundary Park?
A. So far we are on schedule. After a great start we waned a little through injuries and some negative long ball tactics but we appear to be back on-track. I expect us to finish in the play-off spots.
Q. Ronnie Moore was a target for us before Ritchie got the job and was actually the fans choice. What has he done differently at Oldham to take you from relegation strugglers to promotion hopefuls?
A. He has made some good signings and eventually persuaded Luke Beckett to join on a season long loan with the possibility of a permanent move written into his contract. He was the final piece of the jigsaw.
Q. Andy Liddell is remembered fondly at Oakwell and Luke Beckett less fondly. Are they big players for you this season?
A. Luke Beckett is revered at Oldham as his goals kept us up last season. He can do no wrong. Andy Liddell is also a major player in our pack and is pulling out all the stops with some consistently good performances.
Q. Who would you say Oldham's "dangermen" will be this Saturday?
A. Beckett and Liddell.
Q And which Barnsley players will you be most wary of?
Shuker and Burns who seem to be hitting the net.
Q. We have had a decent start under Ritchie, do you see us finishing among the top lot or is it just too big a gap this season?
A. I think that this is the easiest League One season since it started and any teams in the league are capable of getting promoted. All it needs is to string a few good results together and you're up there.
Q. Finally a prediction for Saturday?
A. I'm staying on the fence with a 2-2 scoreline
The Chairman (Oldham Mad)
Not to be outdone, The Chairman responded with his own questions and this was what Rob thought:
Q. Andy Ritchie will always be remembered as one of the all time greats at Boundary Park (check the header on the Oldham Mad site) and he has always openly admitted that Oldham will always have a place in his heart. Bearing that in mind, how do you think he will approach his team talk before the game?
A. Andy Ritchie has always struck me as a calm person so I can bet he will stress the importance of this match to the players but will do it in a mild way. Ritchie's emotions will be torn I can expect but this is a big match to win anyway due to the current run we find ourselves on.
Q. Which Barnsley players do you think will cause the most damage to Oldham on Saturday?
A.Chris Shuker and Paul Hayes. They have been our dangermen so far this season but the team hasn't played well on the whole recently so we are hoping for all 11 to be firing.
Q. How do you think the fans will greet Ronnie Moore?
A. With respect. It was said in the summer that Moore actually fancied the job (although not sure if that's entirely sure) so the fans won't get on his back or anything I shouldn't imagine. Alot of Barnsley fans are in awe of Moore's achievements at Rotherham.
Q. Which players do you fear most and how will your players deal with them?
A. Luke Beckett for starters. He ALWAYS scores against us and Liddell will also be looking to score against his former team. Liddell should receive a good reception after everything he did for us but I suspect Beckett may get a few boos.
Q. Where do you anticipate Oldham and Barnsley will finish in the league?
With the players Oldham have they certainly have the potential to finish in the play-offs but as you said it's all about consistency. They will definitely ruffle a few feathers. As for us if you had asked me this questions about a week ago I would have been confident of the play-offs but I've said from the start of the season I'll be happy with top 10.
Q. Which team is Barnsley's biggest rival and the team you most want to beat?
Doncaster Rovers after what they did to us last season and what they did to us last weekend. It would make my day if we could beat them
Q. What do you predict the score to be on Saturday?
It will be tight and tense I'll say 1-1
Cheers for that, and yes, Let the best team win. Good Luck for the rest of the season
Rob (BarnsleyBoy)
Either way, both were chicken with their predictions!