1. How is your season shaping up so far?
The Latics season started off with a 2-1 opening day defeat to promotion rivals Cardiff. However that was soon forgotten as they embarked on a run of just 1 defeat in 14 league and cup games, including a 8 straight victories. By December, the only unbeaten away record in Britain stood intact, but the side lost to Crystal Palace in the Worthington Cup 4th round and things haven't been the same since. However, that unbeaten away record still exists intact in the league.
2. What were your hopes and expectations pre-season and have they changed since the season started?
Expectations were high and thoughts were that we could mount a serious challenge. Things were slightly muted though when a surprise bust up between Chairman and then manager Mick Wadsworth occurred leaving Iain Dowie clear to take control. Some were concerned over Dowie's credentials initially but so far they've been nothing but excellent. And they need to be now with the problems lying ahead. The current injury crisis is appauling and expectations have been lowered somewhat. Hopefully, Dowie can rouse the troops.
3. How have you been playing in recent weeks?
Recent weeks is where the problem is. Injuries are ludicrous. A severely depleted side will visit Saltergate - a side that is worringly looking for it's first win in 9 league and cup games.
The injuries had been around in early season, but not in the same extent and the turning point was that away defeat at Palace. There, captain and solid defender Clint Hill broke his leg, putting him out for the rest of the season. Then atrocious news came in the way of top scorer Clyde Wijhnard, who after scoring 11 in 17 games for the Latics, will probably never play for us again. An injury in October looked to be behind him until he played 3 returning games and broke down. Having now seen a specialist, Wijhnard has been told he needs a leg reconstruction and will be out for over 18 months. He might possibly never play again.
5. And your worst players?
Worst players? Not easy to pick them out to be fair, but out of those that should play on Satruday, I can criticise one or two for not being as good as others. They would be Killen, Baudet and some like to say Corazzin.
Killen hasn't showed any of the qualities that he was brought to Boundary Park for and has shown to be a disappointment thus far. Baudet is hit and miss and his main problem is conceding silly free-kicks in dangerous positions. As for Corazzin, his first touch can be woeful at times and his finishing is non-existant. However, I argue that Carlo isn't there to score - he's the target man that brings the midfield into play. That's something he does best and that's why last season most of our goals came from midfield. If you could find a table of assists amongst Latics players, Carlo would probably top it. And thus, I'd have him in the team every time for what he does - not out of the side for what he doesn't do.
6. What sort of line up can we expect?
In one word, "depleted." I've said enough about our injuries now so I'll cut straight to the line up. I've the feeling that Dowie's going to try out this newly implemented 4-4-2 we've been playing. The problem is that Eyres is having little joy on the left as he is double marked and on the right, well, we have no right. I've the feeling that Eyre will be back in time and so that will free Murray up to move back into the middle.
Upfront, I've got a very sneaky suspicion that Dowie will make a change that will see Scott Vernon thrown in for his first full league debut. This is an up and coming youngster that has a bright future and his reserve performances this season have been sterling. Even when used as a substitute he's been a livewire and on Saturday vs Wigan, he did something no-one has done for weeks - he ran from deep with perfect timing, beat the offside trap and meet a lovely through ball. Unfortunately Corazzin couldn't score from his lay-off. Vernon looks promising and I hope he gets his chance.
GK - Pogliacomi, RB - Berehall, CB - Baudet, CB - Hall, LB - Armstrong, RW - Eyre, CM - D.Sheridan, CM - Murray, LW - Eyres, FW - Corazzin, FW - Vernon
7. Which Chesterfield player do you fear the most?
Mark Allott (pictured)- Ironic eh? Maybe? I think you have to expect that he'll play his best ever game against us, heck, he did last season. I'd go as far as saying Chesterfield fans probably haven't seen him play better since. But why shouldn't he do this - the stick our fans gave him was apalling. Allott was Oldham born and loved the club before being hounded out of it. I wasn't his biggest fan, but I never openly expressed that. Infact, Allott could be defended as far as saying he only ever played half seasons for us (always got injured for a few months) but he still totted up 8 or 9 goals for us.
It would have been nice to see Mark Innes play as well. It doesn't take his former club for him to display his best - Innes is a quality player that former manager Wadsworth made the mistake of letting go. That might haunt us in a similar style that Andrew Hughes has (went to Notts Co and now at promotion chasing Reading).
8. What is your predicted score?
The Latics face losing their unbeaten away league record as they meet a Chesterfield that knows how to play at home. Saltergate is becoming a tough place for teams to go and get something, but the Latics have laid ghosts to rest at Colchester, Peterborough and other away grounds this season, so why not at Saltergate?
Well, not so because of the problems within the camp. If Dowie plays it how I see it, then there's a chance we'll perform. Even when things were good this season, we still hadn't showed a decent home form so maybe this away trip is a blessing in disguise. However, Chesterfield are a good battling side and the Latics tend to come off 2nd best to these types of teams.
I'm hoping that the side I have named above is the line-up and goes on to play with conviction. If so, then we'll be able to hold our own, otherwise it'll be a home victory. I'll settle for a fair score draw.
Prediction: 2-2 & wet shoes from peeing against that wall called a toilet ;-)