Welcome
to today's issue of
BOUNDARY
BULLET-zine
The
Daily On-line e-zine for 158
Oldham Athletic Supporters
Worldwide
Today's
Edition for
2nd March 2000
Today's Headlines
Oldham
Evening Chronicle
Sheridan
returns to boost Latics
JOHN
SHERIDAN'S return is a much-needed lift for Athletic, who will be forced
to field a depleted side in Saturday's derby at Bury. The
veteran midfield player, who remains such a major influence, will replace
Lee Duxbury as the skipper serves a one-match suspension. Sheridan
was a substitute on Saturday against Bristol Rovers after missing the previous
three matches with a neck injury. "John's return could not be more timely
with losing Lee and Neil Adams from our midfield," explained Andy Ritchie. The
Athletic manager is also without the suspended Mark Hotte and has earmarked
Paul Jones as defensive replacement in what will be only his third league
start since his mid-season arrival from non-league Leigh RMI.
Ritchie
will have to rejig his midfield to compensate for the loss of wing-back
Adams, who could be out for six weeks following foot surgery. The
transfer-listed Mark Innes, who has not started a league match for three
months, could win a recall in a reshaped midfield, with Paul Rickers reverting
to a wing-back role. Ritchie is also considering pitching in youngster
Danny Boshell, though he conceded it might be a gamble bringing the rookie
in for such a big match. Boshell made
his league debut as a substitute in the recent game against Gillingham,
his only taste of senior football so far. Athletic are not alone in having
problems as Bury could be without three key players. Definitely
missing will be captain and midfield player Nicky Daws who serves a one-match
ban. Incredibly this will be the first match he has missed since December
1995. Striker Paul Barnes (ankle) and left-back Paul Williams (groin) are
both injury worries. The Athletic manager
revealed the club has had a number of "tentative" inquiries about the five
players who have been transfer listed this week. They have been generally
relating to the fees they are seeking for the five _ Mark Allott, Scott
McNiven, Mark Innes, Matthew Tipton and Paul Beavers.
Athletic
have rearranged their Manchester Senior Cup tie against Manchester City
for next Thursday at Boundary Park. The reserves also play a friendly at
Stalybridge on Wednesday to help ease that club's financial troubles.
Teamtalk
Oldham
Chief
explains decisions
Chief
Executive Alan Hardy has explained the club's financial position in defence
of the Latics decision to transfer list five players in the last week.
Hardy confirmed the club's difficult financial position having lost one
million pounds last season. He said: "We are working hard to keep on an
even keel, while trying to become more competitive and plan for the future.
"We have to be realistic in all our dealings and we believe what we are
doing is in the best interests of the club and of the players involved.
He added: "Our decision does not reflect on their ability, but on our current
staffing levels and our wider responsibilities as responsible employers.
"We believe it will be of great benefit to the players to kick start their
careers elsewhere and, if we can bring in some funds, then this will help
the manager strengthen the side in other areas."
Ritchie
optimistic over Adams
Andy Ritchie
has decided to look on the optimistic side of things following the news
of Neil Adams injury blow. The winger will be out for at least a month
having limped out of Saturday's defeat against Bristol Rovers with a foot
injury. X-rays have shown there are no broken bones, but they did reveal
a problem and the former Norwich man is now not allowed to put any wait
on the foot for two weeks. Andy Ritchie, obviously gutted by the injury,
said: "A month is a long time, but on the bright side it could have been
six or eight weeks."
Bury
set to join Latics in summer
Second
Division rivals Bury are set to join the Latics in the summer tournament
in the Isle of Man. The Steam Packet Company International Football Festival
2000 will run from July 23rd to 29th, and will feature four Division Two
teams. Along with Oldham and Bury, Burnley ands Stoke are set to play along
with Third Division Darlington and the local Isle of Man side.
Make
or break for reserves
It's make
or break time for the reserves in their hunt for the Pontins League Premier
division title. After leading for most of the season they have fallen away
recently and now trial by seven points. But the second string have
six games left to catch leaders Manchester City, with both teams also in
the running for two knockout competitions. The Latics are on the verge
of reaching their second successive final in the Manchester Senior Cup,
and they are will play either Lincoln or Burnley in the quarter final of
the Pontins League Cup.
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Davies by e-mail at [email protected]Boundary
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