Preview - Hands up if you're waiting for next Saturday, rather than this Saturday? If I raise my hand, I'll have to type slower, therefore I'll just say it out loud "bring on Blackpool!"
You may be wondering what on earth I am talking about, so to explain, I'm merely trying to say that I can't wait to get past our first 2 fixtures of this season. Had we still got the likes of Fitz Hall, Armstrong and Hill, then I'd feel totally the opposite but as things are, the Latics currently find themselves searching for firm ground but against promotion favourites. Not an easy task.
Having played Brighton and now facing Sheff Weds, the Latics could do with a run of a few 2nd division stalwarts like your Blackpool's and Brentford's,. That way, it might be possible to gauge what sort of team we have got and how well it might do. Mind you, there is some encouragement by the way the side lost to (12 man!) Brighton as in all honesty, it did fair very well. Every Latics fan knows our season opener had a very unjust scoreline - Coppell was embarrassed by it - but that matters not now. The Latics must go to Hillsborough and face a side that may take this division by storm.
Sporting a side with talent such as Shefti Kuqi, an obvious danger to any team and Lloyd Owusu, a player who is back down to his natural goal-scoring level, the Latics would struggle to contain the Owl's frontmen with even last seasons defence, let alone the schoolboy defence we'll have instead. It must be said though, that despite the obvious apprehension around the Latics, the side still looks like it can do enough damage this season to find calmer mid-table waters.
True, Dowie still wants players (Dave Carney and Matt O'Halloran should be high on his list) but when our survival off the field is in doubt, a realistic view needs to be taken. It's the old catch 22 scenario - either you spend a little and retain division 2 status or you spend nothing and in the worst case scenario, lose Dowie at the helm and fall into division 3. It's a fine line and if things were bad enough for the Latics, worryingly it might not be over yet.
As things stand now though, the Latics shouldn't contemplate or fear the unknown. And anyway, there are many pluses to take as present despite our opening 2 defeats. It has to be admitted that the youth coming through looks extremely promising and with a few injured players like Holden and Eyres coming back soon, the side will improve further. Young Danny Hall has been an absolute tonic, while Carlos Roca looks to have a big part to play for the Latics. Vernon, on the other hand does have a question mark over him, but there is no doubt that he has the scoring touch. With time and a few less taxing defences, he should start to find the goals and confidence to bring him onto another level. Indeed, only Ben Roberts superb save last Saturday, stopped Vernon claiming his 1st league goal.
To be honest, too much is being made of the side being too young. True, it won't last for 46 game, but where abilities are concerned the young players should be able to live in a sink-or-swim scenario. Fitz Hall and Wayne Andrews made the jump from non-league without a problem, so why shouldn't our young boys make the jump too?
When you look at Danny Hall and Carlos Roca, they are shining examples of how you should grasp a 1st team chance, whilst Rob Walker and Tierney are almost there or thereabouts. It makes you wonder whether the Latics have unwittingly stifled players in the past 2 seasons - these are the same young players who challenged at the top of the reserves league in 2001/2 but last season were relegated as fringe players like Duxbury, Shez snr and Boshell occupied the reserve team places.
All in all, it is fair to say that the team is very young and in the long run it will cause us problems through a lack of experienced personnel. We have time for that personnel to become fit again (Berehall, Appleby etc). But for now I, like Dowie, have no worries with young players showing an extraordinary level of confidence in the face of adversity. It seems to be a defiance which is spurring players into giving 110% in every game - the only worry is that for those harbouring bad habits, like Darren Sheridan, it can lead to a nasty concoction. But to curb the fight might be to take the heart out of this side which is playing with pride despite the situation we face. It's a tough choice for Dowie to make.
For the trip to Hillsborough, the Latics will do one of two things. Either the side will probably fight but again lose graciously or it will capitulate and the Owl's will feed heavily on the mice. If the latter happens, then the Latics may lose it's obvious spirit, but if a respectable scoreline (even one of a defeat) might be enough to keep the youngsters feeling like they are progressing. This will be the biggest test they have to face - it's just a real shame it comes 2 games into the season. I believe in the kids - let's hope that keeping the faith will eventually be rewarded.
Latics Team News -
Injury list: Berehall (At least 1 month), Appleby (Unknown), Eyres (1 week), Clegg (nearing fitness), Holden (nearing fitness), Killen (nearing fitness), Cooksey (suspended - 2 games to go)
Last XI: vs Scunthorpe (L2-1) GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Hall, Haining, Teirney, MD - Roca, Boshell, D.Sheridan, Murray, Eyre, FW - Vernon, Curier, Subs Used - Carney, O'Halloran, J.Sheridan
The Latics have no new injuries from Tuesday nights defeat against last season 3rd Div play-off finalists, Scunthorpe. After Boshell and Sheridan's sending off, the rest of the 8 outfield players left played magnificently but will probably have been tired since. However, fitness levels will have improved after such a gruelling test and Pogliacomi in goal is beginning to show some fine form.
There are a few questions though. The first one is will Dowie play Darren Sheridan and Danny Boshell after their red cards on Tuesday? I suspect that Boshell hasn't got a cat-in-hells chance of starting, however I feel that despite being an often potential liability, we have to play mini Shez. In a very tough game, he will give us necessary bite in the middle but he has to avoid being wound up. It's a very tricky problem.
In Boshell's place, Dowie may surprise a few by including John Sheridan somewhere, against his former club where he is still regarded as a hero. Although, that might be in the way of a substitute. After a few impressive substitute appearances, it may be at O'Halloran's feet where the creativity has to come from and on the evidence shown so far, he is more than capable.
Another question is what about Carney? Carney looks very lively as a left wing-back and it might be that he replaces Roca as he didn't look as threatening as a starter, than he did as a substitute against Brighton. Leaving the 17-yr old on the bench could become useful later in the game.
Also to be considered are the possible returns of Holden and Killen. It is a close call as to whether Dowie will put Ndawi back into the side after Tierney covered for the cup-tied Bolton loanee. If not, then will Holden be fit enough? My guess is that Holden will start with Ndawi on the bench. Upfront, Killen will probably be on the bench with Curier and Vernon partnering once more.
Predicted starting XI: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Hall, Haining, Holden, MD - Carney, O'Halloran, D.Sheridan, Murray, Eyre, FW - Vernon, Curier, Subs - Grange, Ndawi, J.Sheridan, Roca, Killen
(STOP PRESS: News is emerging that Killen is to undergo and operation which could see him sidelined for 6 months. Therefore, he is definite to miss this game now and join a lengthy injury list.)
Wednesday Team News -
Last XI: vs Hartlepool (D2-2 Lost on pens) GK - Tidman, DF - Lee, D Smith, Wood, MD - Geary, Quinn, Armstrong, Barry-Murphy, Evans FW - Kuqi, Owusu, Subs Used - Cooke, Holt
Team news is short on the ground with Wednesday, however McLaren is still banned, while Mustoe, Hamshaw and Stringer all look certain to miss out according Wednesdays official site. The biggest threat, apart from the obvious front two looks to be Richard Evans. The tricky winger set up both of the Owls goals in the midweek draw against Hartlepool and looks on top form.
Last played: Worthington Cup 2000/1 - 1st Round
1st leg: Latics 1 Sheff Weds 3
A wet night saw the Latics fight hard but be outshined by promising youngster Owen Morrison and foreign import Di Piedi. You may remember that one Latics player suffered immensely in the defeat as Tipton went off injured. That occurred when he slid off the greasy pitch and cracked his manhood on an iron gate in the Chaddy End. Ouch!!!
2nd leg: Sheff Weds 5 Latics 2 (Agg 8-3)
Another hard battle saw the Latics lose heavily under false pre-tenses. At 1-1 in this leg, the visitors suffered FOUR goal-line clearances. Eventually, Di Piedi made it 5-2 on aggregate prompting Ritchie to give up the chase and protect the likes of Neil Adams, by throwing on the reserves.
Final factors:
* It would be interesting to see the reaction should John Sheridan start. However, I just can't see that happening.
* It will be interesting to see how the Latics fair away from home this season, after last season. Obviously the personnel difference is a big problem, but Dowie played with 1 very successful tactic of defending from the front. That tactic needed to have pace upfront with the ball being played to it as quick as possible. Curier will need to exploit the space and be this pace.
* 13,000 season tickets is a huge response to relegation to the 2nd Division. However, with it comes expectation. And in today's climate of the "gloryhunter" you can bet your life that a decent percentage of these will be the type who have bought tickets on the premise of success. Every club, including the Latics, has them (we call them part-timers) but they are the first to start moaning when things go wrong. If the Latics could start the brighter, then it should be very interesting to see how Wednesday's fans react.
Verdict:
This game, without the Latics current problems, would probably have been the biggest task that the side would face all season. Therefore, a draw would make most Latics fans happy. To be honest though, it really is just a case of hoping that we can put in a performance - even if we lose. The last thing the Latics need is a mauling which will demoralise the kids. Here's hoping to a narrow defeat, but I suspect it could be a greater than that.
Prediction: Sheff Weds 3 Latics 0