Oldham Athletic have come a long way in three years

FAN’S VIEW: Oldham Athletic have come a long way in three years

 

Monday was the third anniversary of the takeover of the club by the Rothwells. I remember the day very well.

 

I was on holiday in Cornwall, my eldest daughter drew a picture of the Oldham badge for me to represent the overwhelming happiness I was feeling and I spent the evening drinking lots of Cornish lager celebrating but also wondering what might be around the corner.

 

I have similar feelings as the new season is about to start properly with a visit to Milton Keynes on Saturday.

 

I’m still celebrating regaining our rightful place in the Football League but I also wonder what might happen across the season.

 

As pre-season has been so short, with so few matches available for us to watch, it is difficult to make any kind of sound and reasoned judgement as to where we are.

 

This is even more so as we, perhaps worryingly but hopefully only as a purely precautionary measure, called off the friendly against Curzon Ashton due to injuries and illness to ensure a squad can make the trip down south at weekend.

 

Adding that to the number of new signings we have got who will need time to gel and find their feet, as well as of course having 22 new opponents compared to last season and it is very difficult to predict where we will end up in May.

 

I expect us to be solid, with the defence giving us strong foundations to build on going forward by keeping the opposition out.

 

How much we can take the game to other teams and find the back of their net probably depends on one, or maybe even two, centre forwards coming in to bolster the attack and I’m sure Micky Mellon and his staff have this in hand, hopefully even in time for the first game.

 

And so, there is no way I’m going to be bold enough to put any kind of prediction for the season in print!

 

What I will say though is that I hope, at the bare minimum, consolidation in the Football League happens and that we aren’t looking over our shoulders worrying about the dreaded drop back to the National League.

 

If we can do more than purely consolidate then that would of course be brilliant and with the momentum we have from promotion and the similarities between tiers four and five, who knows?

 

Whatever happens though, as always there will be ups and downs, just as in any season. Let’s enjoy the ride.

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