Oldham Athletic 0 Tranmere Rovers 0

Last updated : 22 January 2010 By The Chairman

The Latics again gave a lack lustre performance in their return to action after the bad weather lay-off. They stumbled to a boring 0-0 home draw with Tranmere Rovers which is beginning to test the patience of even the long time hardened supporters of the club. Manager Dave Penney (pictured) has blamed the display on rustiness and gave what is becoming a too predictable after game press release, along with excuses which are wearing thin on the Latics following. The result leaves the Latics in a relegation spot with one game in hand but the way they are playing, and failing to find the net, they look destined to a battle to stay up. Only a paltry 3,688 fans witnessed the game of which 659 were travelling supporters.

Penney commented, “I was happy to get a game and happy to get that performance out of the way,” a negative statement that has angered many fans. He went on, “From both teams, you could see that they had not played 11 versus 11 for a long time, or probably not been on grass for a long time other than the last couple of days. I think it showed in the performances that both teams are not used to playing 90 minutes." Isn't that the same for both teams and shouldn't the manager be preparing his players to take the game to the opposition when at home?

Penney continued, “Both teams tired and the injured players we were bringing back, Chris Taylor and Pawel Abbott, also tired markedly towards the end of it. It was nice to get a game, nice to get 90 minutes and get the rustiness out of the way. I don’t think it was a great game of football. Overall it was a poor game, from both sides who struggled to make an impact and dictate. As the game went on we had a couple of chances in the second half that were kicked off the line. We got a bit stronger but it was very disjointed from both sets of players and teams, which was to be expected really.” Why is it to be expected? Don't the players train every day to overcome these problems? Are they not professional enough to realise that they need to do more than just put the shirt on?"

“We have dropped down there because of results we haven’t picked up and the games we haven’t played,” which is a statement that comes directly from Basil Fawlty's book of the bleeding obvious. "I think we could have won it. We just need one to take a deflection or hit a backside and go in and it changes everything. Certain people take time and need games to get going and I'm sure we'll be better than that at weekend against Millwall. We'll have to play better than that to get something, that's for sure. We just wanted to get the game out of the way really and now move on."

The Latics have now failed to score in 14 matches in all competitions this season and have won only once in the last 11 matches. Even bottom-of-the-table Stockport have scored more League One goals than Penney's side. It's time for the excuses to stop and for Mr. Penney to put out an attacking side, especially at home. That action must happen this weekend when Millwall, who are struggling on their travels, visit Boundary Park. Failure to win will result in lower crowds, disgruntled fans, and who knows more cries for Penney's head. Get it sorted Latics!