28th March 2000
28th March 2000 CRAIG DUDLEY could miss up to half-a-dozen matches for Athletic after hearing the bad news that he has suffered a muscle strain. The speedy striker pulled up with a hamstring problem at Scunthorpe on Saturday and has now been ruled out for two to three weeks. The injury comes at a bad time for Athletic, who are facing a flood of fixtures as they catch up with games which have been postponed. Dudley looks sure to miss at least four, including the home fixtures against promotion-chasing Stoke City and Wigan Athletic. Manager Andy Ritchie said: "Craig was limping a bit on Saturday, but he carried on playing for a while so we're hoping it isn't too serious. "We could do with as many fit players as possible at the moment, although a lot depends on how he reacts to treatment."
One consolation for Ritchie is the return to full fitness of Mark Allott. The leading scorer looks sure to be joined up front by Steve Whitehall next weekend when Athletic take on Cambridge in search of a hat-trick of wins. Nineteen-year-old Ryan Sugden boosted his own hopes of a recall last night as Athletic's reserves reached the Pontins League Cup semi-finals. Sugden scored twice in a 4-2 defeat of Burnley, impressing the manager with his all-round display. "Ryan was excellent," Ritchie proclaimed. "Burnley put out quite a young side, but you still have to show the right attitude and he did that very well. "He has looked a lot better in recent games and I'm hoping that's a good sign. "I'm hoping he is back to the form which has seen him pushing hard for a first-team place in the past."
Athletic today revealed their new kit, which will be worn for the first time at the final home game of the season, against Blackpool on April 29. In association with their new manufacturer, Sparta Sportswear, they have turned back the clock and opted for a design last used in the 1960s. The away strip uses the same colours as Barcelona, while replica kits should be available from May. Depending on on-field performances, the deal with Sparta could be worth up to £250,000 over four years
No easing off, warns Ritchie
MANAGER Andy Ritchie has warned his players that they will not be having an easy ride during the final few weeks of the season. Two wins in the last week and a run of five games unbeaten are enough for most people to conclude that Athletic are now safe from the drop. They have 49 points — 12 more than fourth-from-bottom Oxford — and plenty more time in which to plump up the cushion. The ever-cautious Ritchie, however, refuses to accept that the first target has been achieved. Although he insists that relegation never seriously crossed his mind, he also believes Athletic cannot afford to rest on their laurels. “We still need another win or two to be certain,” Ritchie said. “And I won’t be happy until we get them. “I keep telling the lads to be ruthless and to look after number one. “It’s important that we beat sides like Scunthorpe (where Athletic won 2-1 on Saturday) so that we keep them below us. “You can be sure none of the sides around us will show any sentiment, and we have to be exactly the same. “The games will come thick and fast to the end of the season and, with April being a hard month, we need to stay focused. “Training will be kept low key — and we might even have to use the squad-rotation system!”
Athletic are only two points short of the total which kept them up in such dramatic style last May. To add further encouragement, four of their last nine games are against teams who currently stand in the bottom six. Cambridge, Chesterfield, Cardiff and Blackpool have yet to visit Boundary Park so, if Athletic can find their feet at home, they have a great chance of climbing further up the second division table. Yet, even then, Ritchie will go on demanding more and more from his players. “If we ever start thinking we are in the comfort zone, we will be on a loser,” the manager stressed. “We have to keep moving up because the higher we finish the better it will be for all concerned. “If we keep going well and end up, say, 10th or 11th, that kind of position would give us something extra. “It would provide a lot of encouragement for us and could help us to push on and aim even higher for next season.”
FANS who can’t wait to model Athletic’s new look can place their orders straight away. The kit, manufactured by North-West company Sparta Sportswear, returns to the days when a broad blue stripe was the traditional design. Home and away strips will be available from May, but credit-card orders are being taken by telephone at Latique (652 0966) and on the official website (www.oldhamathletic.co.uk). The kit will be sent out by recorded delivery as soon as it arrives at Boundary Park. The new shirts are the same quality as those worn by the players, which isn’t always the case with replicas, and prices are lower than last season. Shirts cost £27.99 (boys) and £37.99 (adults). Shorts are £14.99 and £18.99, while socks, which are embroidered with the club badge, are £7.99 and £9.99.
Jones keeping up with the big boys
FLOURISHING defender Paul Jones could have won himself a new contract after his rise from non-league nobody to Football League regular. The 21-year-old recruit from Leigh RMI — who quit his job as a kitchen fitter to go full-time — has become one of the surprise packages of Athletic’s campaign. Jones signed up to the end of the season when Athletic took him on after a successful trial period in November. He has effectively been on trial ever since, but recent form suggests he is on the verge of a new, longer-term deal. Athletic have been stalling over making an offer as they were unsure how many defenders would be on the books until last week’s transfer deadline. As it transpired, only Iain Swan, who was already behind Jones in the pecking order, joined another club. There is no doubt that manager Andy Ritchie has plenty of options at centre-back, with Shaun Garnett, Mark Hotte, Stuart Thom and Ben Futcher all tied to contracts. Scott McNiven and Richard Graham, who become free agents in the summer, are also vying for places, although their futures are unresolved.
But Ritchie will surely be reluctant to see Jones walk away at a time when he is developing so well. He has played seven games since signing — including each of the last five — and has proved a lucky charm in an inconsistent team. Athletic have yet to lose when Jones is in from the start and, in that time, they have conceded only five goals. That is no coincidence, for the former Tranmere Rovers trainee adds strength and steel to the backline. He is quick in the tackle and plays with total commitment, as illustrated at Colchester last week when he carried on without complaint after getting an elbow in the face. Having experienced the rough and tumble of the Unibond League, he also knows how to handle himself and takes no prisoners in the physical battle. Although there remain chinks in the armour — his positional sense can go awry and passing isn’t a strong point — Jones didn’t make his league debut until this season so still has time on his side.
Ritchie has sung the Scouser’s praises several times and hasn’t left him out of a single first-team squad since he arrived. The manager said: “Paul has done extremely well since he joined us — probably better than I expected and maybe better than he expected himself. “He deserves his place in the starting line-up because he has been like a rock in the last few games. “He has a lot still to learn, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he carried on improving. “When you’re in Paul’s position — as someone who has been knocked out of football and gets a second bite at the cherry — there is an extra determination to prove that you can do it.” Athletic’s financial position may be cause for concern and a definite decision has yet to be made on the player’s fate. The up-and-coming Jones, however, is unlikely to be sacrificed in the rush to cut costs.