Reid keeps Latics waiting
Fans behaviour praised
Ritchie look forward

PETER REID continues to hold the key to Athletic's next excursion Into the transfer market. Andy Ritchie, the Athletic manager, is still waiting to hear whether the Sunderland boss is prepared to loan Gerry Harrison and Paul Beavers. Utility player Harrison has trained with Athletic throughout the pre-season buildup after being told by Reid he does feature in his long-term plans. Sunderland are looking for a fee for Harrison, but Athletic have no cash so they are seeking a loan deal.

Harrison could easily slot into defence as a replacement for Stuart Thom, who is suspended for the opening match of the season against Preston on Saturday. But if there is no word from Reid, Ritchie, also without the injured Richard Graham, will have to completely rejig the defence.

Ritchie acknowledges the need to bring in defensive cover because he can ill afford further injuries and suspensions. In the case of Beavers, Ritchie is keen to take the 2O year-old striker on an extended loan for the full season. Reid, who has given Athletic first refusal, wanted to see Beavers in action in the pre-season games, but he has not yet made a decision. The pressing need for a striker has eased following the loan capture of Sheffield Wednesday's Junior Agogo. The 2O year-old striker has proved a huge hit so far and Ritchie is keen to extend the loan for a second month.

Athletic reserves lost 2-1 last night at Droylsden where Ryan Sugden scored.

FANS EARN PLAUDITS FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR

OLDHAM Athletic is happy to be at the bottom of at least one league. The club has won praise from the National Criminal Intelligence Service for its supporters and the small number of arrests at the ground. Only 11 arrests were made over the course of last season, which an NCIS spokesman described as "tiny". The majority of those were for drink-related offences. A further 24 fans were ejected from the ground, with no further action taken. The figures come from a total number of spectators of more than 124,000.

Mr Alan Hardy, chief executive of the club, said that the figures were "exceedingly good". He added: "obviously, this is one league we are happy to be bottom of. But it goes to show that Oldham supporters have been exceedingly well behaved."It is something the club's safety officer, Frank Carlisle has worked hard on. With the stewarding arrangements and the number of stewards we have, making sure the stewarding is done in a friendly way.

Mr. Hardy said that the positive work will continue to drive down the problems at Boundary Park.

He added:"We are getting the message to the fans. These are the regulations, and fans are being arrested or ejected when they are breached.

"We hope to continue work next season to continue the improvements.

The figure's were released at the same time NCIS officers said that, nationally the number of arrests at matches has risen for the first time in six years. Everton came out top of the league with Manchester City second with 163 arrests and Manchester United sixth with 125. Bur NCIS spokesman Gail Kent said the statistics should take into account the number of arrests compared to the size of the crowd, and the way different police forces deal with offenders. She added "Some clubs prefer to eject supporters, some prefer to arrest them. The figures need to be looked at in context."

Ritchie's big hope

Ritchie admits: "It was pretty hairy but I honestly felt that we would do it. I certainly knew we were good enough and, in the end, it was no more than we deserved."

The boss feels that they key to this season is consistency. Last year the Latics demonstrated what they are capable of by beating Manchester City at Maine Road and playing superbly at Fulham, unfortunately such performances were all too rare.

As Ritchie points out: "Those were a few of the positive things to come out of last season and that is what I will be looking for when the new campaign gets under way."

The boss concludes: "Last season we had to throw in youngsters and it was never easy for them in a struggling side, but I am sure they have learned from the experience and they will be better players."