The Latics opened up their season in spectacular form with a convincing 2-1 success at old rivals Tranmere Rovers. The 2-1 win was a flattering result for the home team as Athletic were good value for their victory. Not playing to quite the same standard as they had done in their pre-season build up they were still good value for the three points. Perhaps it was understandable to some extent as manager Paul Dickov had drafted in two late loan signings from Sunderland, Oumare Tounkare making the starting line up, who had not yet gelled with their new team mates. There was no place in the starting squad for exciting young prospect Tom Eaves which leads to speculation that he could be on his way out of Boundary Park.
The manager realised that the result was right if not the full execution and commented, "I was delighted with the boys. We played well and deserved the three points without performing anywhere near as good as we can do. It is a matter of keeping feet on the ground as I feel we are better than we showed today. We knew Tranmere would make it very hard for us so to go away and pick up three points is great, never mind in my first game and the opening one of the season. Dale Stephens (pictured) is a box-to-box player, his work ethic is fantastic and he is also a very good footballer. We are constantly telling him to have a shot as he gets into some great positions."
Stephens first goal came when he fired a rocket free kick low round the defensive wall which eluded Faroe Islands goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen. His second and clinching goal came 10 minutes from time after Warren Feeney set him up and Stephens hammered a deceptive low shot home to the left of the diving keeper from about 25 yards. Tranmere scored a consolation goal just before the whistle after Ian Thomas-Moore, much maligned by the Latics large following throughout the match, looped a header over Dean Brill to set up a nervous and nail biting last few minutes of time added on which amounted to some six minutes or so.