Boundary Blue predicts the Bournemouth game
Last updated : 26 January 2002 By Boundary Blue
Well, we've all been in this predicament. You're playing average at present,
you get a win which really you could have lost (Wrexham) and then you murder
a team in your next game and somehow lose (Port Vale). Although you know
that in your previous game, you were lucky to get the 3 points (Wrexham),
you know in your next one (Port Vale) that you damn well should have done,
without doubt. But isn't football a funny old game. (Only funny on Tuesday
if you were a Vale fan or a scouser.)
So where do our problems lie? Well, I've said that much that you'll all know
by now - our defence. We won't play much better than in the 2nd half on
Tuesday and we don't win.
Well everyone knows that this could be our last chance to get 3 easy home
points and get into 6th. It's almost a mental barrier that's stopping the
side, when they know can play well. Just that they keep leaking silly goals
- the 1st on Tuesday was a cracking finish but for numbers 2 and 3 they were
shoddy defensive errors.
We should win this but if they go down the route again, of giving silly
goals away we will be undone. We have a few flu problems, but overall the
squad should remain relatively unchanged, whereas Bournemouth have a few
injuries and James Hayter is doubtful. He's the player I'd fear the most, so
it'd be nice to not see his name on the teamsheet tomorrow.
HISTORY -
2001/02
Bournemouth 3 - 2 Oldham
2000/01
Oldham 2 - 1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth 1 - 1 Oldham
1999/00
Oldham 3 - 0 Bournemouth
Bournemouth 3 - 0 Oldham
1998/1999
Oldham 2 - 3 Bournemouth
Bournemouth 2 - 0 Oldham
1997/1998
Oldham 2 - 1 Bournemouth
Bournemouth 0 - 0 Oldham
VERDICT: With Tranmere not playing and QPR on a noon kick-off, the Latics
might go into this game knowing (rather than hoping for the Loftus Road side
to slip up) that a win will put us in 6th. If we get there, I think it will
relieve a little bit of pressure on the players, who were visibly gutted for
their loss on Tuesday. They really do want it now, but with the belief must
come the hard work.
Bournemouth are struggling and I expect them to put up a fight for 20
minutes and die away. But, if we give another ridiculous goal away in that
time, then we'll be up against it again for the whole match.
I'm banking on the visitors not having much upfront to do us and we will
score, there's no doubt on that. So I think another comprehensive home win
for us. We haven't lost at home under Wadsworth in the league and since
October 23rd so we must make that the key to our success. Watch me put a
spell on us now - seriously, another home win, say 3-1.
