Division Two Preview: Oldham Athletic Vs. Wrexham

Wrexham have nothing to play for as their poor recent form has seen then drop from possible play off contenders to mid table obscurity. They can neither get into the play offs or go down but they will be hungry to improve their form and give their fans something to cheer about before the end of the season. In their last match they were soundly beaten 3-1 away at Colchester United. Oldham will be buoyed after they demolished top of the table Plymouth Argyle (It was 4-1 if you can’t quite remember), another win from the last four matches should be enough for safety and Wrexham look like a good club to get it from (If only we still had Carlo!).

Previous Match

On a cold, wet and blustery October night Oldham were fed to the dogs as Oldham crashed to Iain Dowie’s worst defeat in charge. After a bright start from the Latics, Lee Jones managed to squeeze a ball past Pogliacomi on 32 minutes. Carlos Edwards then capitalised on slack marking and Pogliacomi failing to come for the ball to make it 2-0 before the break. Dennis Lawrence made it 3-0 after the break, the linesmen adjudged it to have crossed the line just before Pogliacomi got it out. Wrexham then had a penalty from Lee Jones saved. Near the end the scoring was complete when sub Mark Jones turned and curled a superb goal into the top corner to end an awful night for Oldham.

Lineups

Wrexham: Dibble, Roberts, Morgan, Lawrence, C.Edwards, P. Edwards, Ferguson, Whitley, Llewellyn, Sam. L.Jones
Subs: Whitfield, Pejic, Holmes, Thomas, M.Jones

Oldham Athletic: Pogliacomi, Clegg, Beherall, Hall, Holden, Murray, Eyre, J.Sheridan, D.Sheridan, Zola, Killen
Subs: Vernon, O’Halloran, Cooksey, Tierney, Boshell

Team News

The Latics have no new injury worries ahead of the game with Wrexham. Gareth Owen has left the club after his loan deal ended and the two clubs couldn’t agree a fee for the young Welsh U-20 international, Danny Hall is likely to replace him in defence. Into the squad comes Calvin Zola who has been absent recently due to suspension and a lack of fitness for the Plymouth game. Goalkeeper Steve Corry is brought into the squad for the first time but he is only likely to feature at best on the substitutes bench.

Oldham Athletic Squad: Pogliacomi, Holden, Haining, Griffin, Murray, Bonner, Sheridan, Eyres, Johnson, Eyre, Vernon, Hall, Clegg, Cooksey, Crowe, Beherall, Corry, Zola

Wrexham have been hit by a number of injuries recently. Former Tottenham striker Chris Armstrong is out of the game with pelvic problems caused by an old injury. Trinidad & Tobago international Carlos Edwards and former Manchester City player Jim Whitley are serious doubts after coming off with hamstring injuries in their previous game and Brian Carey is struggling with a strained toe. Former Oldham target Darren Ferguson and midfielder Paul Edwards are back in the squad are overcoming injuries.

Wrexham Squad: Ingham, Whitfield, Morgan, Lawrence, Roberts, Spender, Paul Edwards, Holmes, Ferguson, Crowell, Thomas, Barrett, Mark Jones, Lee Jones, Llewellyn, Sam, Mackin, Carlos Edwards, Jim Whitley, Brian Carey

Oldham have a promotion running for the Wrexham game. If you have a season ticket and your surname begins with letters A-J then you can bring a friend to the game and sit in the Rochdale Road End for FREE. If you want to take up this offer season ticket holders must present Voucher J at the turnstiles to gain entry for you and a friend.