Preview - When we say at the Latics that our crisis changes or takes a new twist ever day, we don't mean it flippantly - it actually happens.
If you took a timeline from June 10th when that lying, back-stabbing scumbag pulled the plug, you could probably fill 60 of those 81 days with news. Be it staff not being paid, PFA loan requests being turned down, players being sold by the certain scumbag as Dowie, unaware of this, waits for them to arrive at training. Or be it the sale of the club, internal wranglings between Jarvis and Dowie leaking out or many other scenarios. This script simply remains deep, dark and disturbing. And so to this weeks highlights...
Starting on Sunday, the Latics hear news that West Ham Utd manager Glenn Roeder has been sacked. Speculation immediately turns to Dowie, a childhood supporter and former Hammers hero, to take the position. On Monday, Dowie says before and after the Brentford game that he'd probably accept an offer to take the job, especially as he has no contract with the Latics. Oldham fans would obviously be devastated but would undoubtedly wish our new latter day hero well.
Tuesday arrives. If internal wranglings at OAFC hadn't been spotted by fans already, Sean Jarvis' press release on the official site delivers a twist to Dowie's contract claims - a piece which shows Jarvis up to not be the saint once thought. SJ's claims that Dowie actually turned down a contract is bogus and it is Jarvis who has unwittingly provided the evidence in a post on another Latics fans site.
On Friday 15th August, Jarvis actually stated that Dowie had infact been offered a contract and having gone back to his legal people, they all met again to agree changes to the contract. However, when it was presented to current Latics Chairman Barry Cheytow, the contract was "pulled." So Mr Jarvis, why are you saying Dowie refused to sign it when it was you who said it was about to be?!?!
On Wednesday, another amazing headline appeared saying that our scumbag ex-Chairman was to be investigated. Alas, the right step is made but although it will probably never help the Latics' cause, it might make him suffer a number of sleepless nights. And so he deserves them and that's for starters.
Thinking that the Latics might be able to put the past few days events aside, the Latics faced another crushing blow on Thursday. The Football league, who have stood by and watched this club be smashed to pieces (yet ordered a thorough investigation into the Luton fiasco!!!) sets us a September 8th deadline for to show the £1.2m to complete the season. That meaning that this weekends Rushden & Diamonds game might be the last ever at Boundary Park.
Thinking back to last season, the Latics always responded to bad off-the-field news with a good on-the-field result. This season, it hasn't been the case. Indeed, on Monday the thought of losing Dowie looked etched on every face associated with the Latics - even the players. If the side could blank out things before, Monday's Brentford performance indicated that this wasn't the case any longer. The woodwork (twice) and then a penalty miss really took its toll and the side became abject and despondent.
Turning to the Rushden match, this game probably couldn't come at a worse time. Then again, you start to wonder if there is a good time nowadays. Anyhow, Rushden are proving a very good side and when you consider some of the players they possess, Paul Hall and Rodney Jack, the Latics could be in real trouble again. Add to the personnel, the fact that Rushden like to play football, and it is no surprise that they gave record chasing Tranmere a lesson last Saturday, as they won 2-1 at Prenton Park. The Diamonds ended the Wirral sides hope of registering a new 18 game unbeaten club record. If all that wasn't enough evidence of their capabilities, on Monday they drew 3-3 at Nene Park against promotion-tipped QPR.
The main problems for the Latics, aside from the off-the-field saga is that the squad is malnourished. Filled with loanees, triailists, non-contract players and reserve teamers the side changes drastically game-by-game and even for this one, 3 players in Darren Sheridan, Danny Boshell and Danny Hall are all suspended. The defence sees disruption again, with no back 3 ever being the same in consecutive games. And despite Hall's suspension, Haining's fitness remains a doubt even though he is soldiering on.
Nobody can criticise the Latics for their situation today, but as described in my Brentford match report, you have to begin to wonder about the "established" players. Ok, Haining, Eyres and Holden aren't up to fitness, but Sheridan jnr, Murray, Eyre (who is improving with each game) and Pogliacomi are all questionable. The Aussie indeed, despite still possessing excellent shot stopping qualities, has more tough decisions to make than before, as he can't rely on his defence as much. And being honest, it's proving too difficult for him.
The response you have to give (albeit not the answer) is "who would we put in?" In all honestly, there is nobody else. Maybe that is why we failed last season, as the top players we used to have helped the mediocre ones look decent. Personally, my feeling is that the challenge to stay in Division 2 isn't quite as motivating as the challenge to get into Division 1. Either way, if this is the case then we've not just got problems this season, but severe problems. And it won't take long to see if all this is true - that is if we do survive past September 8th.
TEAM NEWS
Latics Team News -
Injury list: Berehall (1 month), Appleby (Unknown), Killen (1 month), Danny Boshell (suspended - 3 games), Danny Hall (suspended - 1 game), Darren Sheridan (suspended - 1 game)
Last XI: vs Brentford (L2-1) GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Hall, Haining, Hudson, MD - Eyres, Cooksey, D.Sheridan, Murray, Holden, FW - Eyre, Curier
Still with injuries, still with suspensions. Add to this, doubts over fitness levels to Haining (knock on knee), Hudson (rated 50/50 after knock on ankle), Eyres (still lacking match practice), J.Sheridan (dodgy knees) and you've got a wafer-wafer-wafer thin side. Yet, I expect all those mentioned to play. The only mystery is surrounding which 2 of 3 will fill in for Darren Sheridan and Danny Hall.
With defenders being hard to come by (Hudson played against Brentford on Monday by signing before the midday deadline!) it looks like unconvincing N'Diwa is set to replace Hall. That means the defence merry-go-round continues again. However, if Haining's fitness continues to improve and Hudson can follow up his debut with more of the same, then the defence might cope much better than it did at Brentford. Against the Bees the old saying "they played like they'd never met before" was nothing but the truth.
In the middle, O'Halloran looked excellent for the Latics when he played against Scunthorpe and Sheffield Wednesday (our 2 best performances this season) and on return from injury this week, he netted twice in a reserves 2-0 win against Wrexham. O'Halloran should surely be pushing for a place and I expect him to fit in for Darren Sheridan.
The only other change I envisage is that Cooksey might be dropped after a poor display on Monday. That might be harsh, but I also think Dowie will see the merits in playing "creaking knees" Sheridan snr. A bit of quality won't go amiss against Rushden and it might also be good to have Cooksey on the bench for later in the game - especially if we're losing.
Upfront, Eyre and Curier should continue. After missing out on the penalty take at Brentford, Curier will be keen on adding to his tally of 3 goals in 5 games - even if he is here purely to place himself in the shop window. If he scores the winner tomorrow, then I can accept that.
Predicted starting XI: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Ndawi, Haining, Hudson, MD - Eyres, O'Halloran, J.Sheridan, Murray, Holden, FW - Eyre, Curier, Subs - Grange, Walker, Cooksey, Roca, Vernon
Rushden & Diamonds Team News -
Last XI: vs QPR (D3-3) GK - Turley, DF - Hunter, Underwood, Bignot, MD - Edwards, Mills, Bell, Burgess, Hall, FW - Darby, Jack
Rushden & Diamonds have a full side for the trip to the Latics and after a decent start to 2nd Division life, they'll be looking to build on it. Having kept the side which won promotion last season, Rushden have made one superb addition to the squad with former Crewe striker Rodney Jack joining. Jack's goals helped Crewe along to promotion into Division 1 last season, therefore Brian Talbot has made a superb swoop.
With Jack, Rushden boast Duane Darby who is a proven goalscorer. He showed that with a double over QPR on Monday. Add to this Paul Hall, who previously for Portsmouth and Walsall, has been a midfielder filled with goals and the Diamonds have a fairly meaty attacking side. The Latics defence will struggle with this.
Last played: The Latics and Rushden & Diamonds have never met before
Final factors:
* The match, after this weeks events, could turn out to be our last game ever at Boundary Park. Latics fans will know this and despite it probably not making a difference to the poor, apathetic residents in the boroughs, there will be many fans who will be there for a possible final shout. It should be a fiery reception, with or without those prats who won't turn up yet again.
* And following on from the last comment, how things change - when 2 teams merged back in 1992/3 to make Rushden & Diamonds, the Latics were flying high in the Premiership. As the Blues descended at an alarming rate into Division 2, Rushden were rushing in the opposite direction - rising from nowhere into the 2nd Division. That alone will give visiting fans an added appetite to beat a club that once was, where The Diamonds aspire to be.
* The Latics might only have 1pt, but they have scored in every game so far. It's defending which is the problem as the Latics have let in at least 2 goals in every game.
* One statistic that stood out from Rushden's Monday game against QPR was their opponents attempts at goal. QPR had 23 shots at goal, with 17, yes SEVENTEEN on target. So if we do get past Rushden's defence (which looks possible from that stat) we might still be unable to get past Turley in net!!!
Verdict:
With such an attacking side coming to Boundary Park, the Latics are going to find it difficult with the current defence. However, my confidence would be much improved should Hudson, Sheridan snr and O'Halloran play. That would make the defence a little bit tighter (now Hudson has known Haining and N'Diwa for 5 days rather than 5 hours) and also in midfield and upfront we should have more attacking purpose.
It's all ifs and buts which is making this game difficult to predict. I'd be tempted to add that should we get the 1st goal, we would have a much better chance of winning but having led against Blackpool and Brentford in our last 2 games and then lost, that totally throws the theory out of the window.
To conclude, if we are to win with the present problems (unfit players playing and changing defence each game) then we will have to outscore Rushden. I can't see us doing that but I can see us scoring (don't forget, we've not had a game where we haven't scored!) and so this will be a high-scoring draw for me. Unless, I've just put the mockers on the Latics and we register a game without a goal!
Prediction: Latics 2 Rushden and Diamonds 2