Thursday, October 08, 2009

A look ahead to…..Oldham

After the enjoyable sideshow of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the Addicks return to more important matters this weekend to take on Oldham. The Latics should be a more difficult nut to crack than they would have been a few weeks ago having taken 10 points from their last four games.

They also have a pretty astute manager in Dave Penney, who guided Doncaster back into the football league in 2003, and after taking over in April, the 45-year-old is beginning to stamp his authority at Boundary Park. He is backed up on the playing side by veteran defender Sean Gregan and pesky striker Keigan Parker. The Scot – who was linked with a move to SE7 in pre-season – is not the most prolific of forwards but he is a nuisance and is starting to link-up well with beanpole partner Pawel Abbott.

Izale McLeod and Tamer Tuna were a pretty effective pair in the 4-1 thrashing of Barnet and while deadly Deon is likely to be our sole attacker on Saturday, I would not be adverse to McLeod and/or Tuna getting the nod. Burton has been terrific so far this term but he is no spring chicken and to maximise his productivity, little rests here and there could be vital.

While striking changes to our league eleven would be tactical, other alterations this weekend may be enforced. Frazer Richardson and Lloyd Sam are doubtful with rib and groin injuries respectively, but Chris Solly and Scott Wagstaff would be very reliable replacements, even though keeping a lid on Oldham’s nimble left-winger Chris Taylor will be a far from easy task.

Miguel Llera for Sam Sodje also looks likely but after a dodgy couple of performances followed by being dropped at Elland Road, the Spaniard will be intent on showing his best form and I expect a solid performance from him should he take to the field. I also expect our midfield to get their creative juices flowing after the hard labour at Colchester and Leeds and after a two game barren spell, to see us notch another victory.

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