Ron to roll Latics over?
Stuart Thom latest

JUNIOR AGOGO will be back in the firing line tomorrow in what could be his last game for Athletic. The on-loan striker, who missed the defeat at Stockport on Tuesday, steps straight back into the team against third division champions Brentford.

Agogo's month long agreement at Boundary Park ends after the trip to London and Athletic boss Andy Ritchie is still unsure whether the deal will be extended. He is keen for Agogo to help solve Athletic's goalscoring problems, but has to wait for a decision from Sheffield Wednesday.

Hillsborough manager Danny Wilson has signed three strikers in five months, pushing the Ghanaian down the pecking order. But he believes Agogo has Premiership potential and, with Benito Carbone's future in doubt, the 20 year old could yet be recalled. He will be joined up front tomorrow by either Mark Allott or Matthew Tipton both of whom were substituted at Stockport.

Paul Beavers' lack of full fitness means he will again be on the bench. News that Stuart Thom has a broken toe forces Ritchie into another defensive reshuffle. Andrew Holt will move back into the centre, with Paul Rickers the most likely replacement at left-back. Said Ritchie: "It never rains but it pours for Stuart He was suspended last week and now this injury has disrupted his season again.

"We are hoping he will be out for two weeks, rather than anything longer. But we aren't too stretched at the back because we have Paul Rickers, Ian McLean and Iain Swan available to come in." Of the challenge facing his side at Griffin Park, Ritchie added: "We want to get something out of this one as nobody likes three defeats in their first three games."

ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, McNiven, Rickers, Holt, Garnett, Duxbury, Sheridan,Adams, Innes, Agogo, Allott, Tipton, Beavers, Sugden, Salt, McLean, Miskelly.

Brentford suffered their first defeat in 18 games when losing 2-0 to Ipswich in the Worthington Cup on Wednesday. Iceland defender Herman Hreidarsson is eligible despite being sent off last week, while full-back Danny Boxall will be renewing dc acquaintances after last season's loan spell with Athletic.

BRENTFORD (from): Wood man, Boxall, Hreidarsson Powell, Anderson, Quinn Evans, Mahon, Owusu, Part ridge, Scott, Rowlands, Jenkins , Bryan, Folan Pearcey.

BOSS Andy Ritchie is forced to make changes for the tough trip to newly-promoted Brentford. Big defender Stuart Thom is out with a broken toe he picked up in the Worthington Cup defeat at Stockport. Ritchie has also to decide whether to throw in striker Paul Beavers from the off. The new signing from Sunderland still lacks match fitness but Ritchie hinted: ``I might go with him from the start to see how long he lasts. ``Brentford are a big, hard-working side, difficult to break down.''

Last season: Different divisions.

Key opponent: Hermann Hreidarsson - the big Icelandic defender is a no-nonsense stopper who can play a bit as well.

Boss' selection headache

Another left sided player, Ian McLean, is expected to be on the bench as cover. And, with the Latics still to score a goal in League and Cup action so far, 20 year old Beavers could be given a start alongside loan capture Junior Agogo. Ritchie explained: "While Paul is physically fit, he has only had 53 minutes match action. "But I might throw him in at the start and see how long he lasts rather than bring him on as a late substitute. "We must start finding the back of the net or we are going to struggle again like we did last season."

The Latics knocked newly promoted Brentford out of the FA Cup in the last campaign, but only on penalties when the replay was deadlocked at 2-2. Ritchie said: "They are a big, strong side who work hard for each other and we are going to have to be on our toes if we are to get the right result."

Brentford v Oldham

Ron Noades celebrated Brentford's promotion by bringing in four new faces (on free transfers) during the summer but still started last week's opening game with the same team that finished the season by clinching the Division Three title at Cambridge. Noades rates his players good enough for Second Division football and, despite the midweek Worthington Cup defeat by Ipswich, the draw they achieved at Bristol Rovers set a club record 17 League games unbeaten.
VERDICT: RON'S RUN ROLLS ON