Marcus Braddock previews the trip to Olf
With a cracking start to the season behind them, Shrewsbury Town look to keep their unbeaten run going this weekend against Oldham Athletic. Marcus Braddock previews the game...
The Latic's haven't had a great start this time around so they sit in the bottom four with just four points gained from a draw at Fleetwood and a win away to Bristol Rovers. However, now may be the worst time to play them because the win and the draw were in their last two games and last weekend they managed to score three times against a half decent Charlton team. They've also scored eight times in their last three games bud did concede six in the process. So not as easy as it may seem on first inspection but a more positive spin of the facts would be that the Latics have failed to earn a point at home yet this season.
The Manager
John Sheridan is a manager with a wealth of experience, especially at Oldham. Of his nine managerial appointments, five of them were with Oldham although his first three posts were co-caretaker, caretaker manager and eventually permanent manager at Oldham. He also played for Oldham at the end of a playing career that also took in Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton Wanderers. His current stretch at Oldham Started in January of this year and he steered them clear of relegation zone, finishing two points and one position above us in 18th place.
Top Scorer
Craig Davies 4 goals-5 appearances.
Eoin Doyle 2 goals-3 appearances.
Assists
Craig Davies 2.
Eoin Doyle 2.
Clean Sheets
1
Discipline
19 yellow cards in nine games. One red card received by Ousmane Fane against Carlton on 2nd September.
Goal Distribution
It's quite interesting to see that in home games 75% of the goals that Oldham have conceded have been scored in the middle third of each half. As it's only over three games it could be a bit of a short-term anomaly but there could be a reason, be it a loss of focus or fan dissatisfaction after the first 15 minutes or something else. Of their three goals at home this season, 2 have been scored at the end of a half. As with the goals conceded, it's probably a bit early to be trying to read too much into things but after conceding in the middle of the half, they do seem to rally quite well, add in their away stats and they finish the first half and start the second quite well too so plenty to worry about.
Referee
Ben Toner from Lancashire. Games this season: 2. Yellow cards: 4. Red cards: 0.
Assistants: Neil Sharp and Oliver Bickle.
Fourth Official: Peter Gooch.
Squad News
Stefan Payne has trained since being substituted on Tuesday night.
Prediction
I've forecast every result as a 2-2 draw this season which might seem an odd approach but I'm a little frightened that I'll tempt fate if I deviate. I don't realistically think that my prediction has any influence on the result but it's a harmless foible. The reality is there for all of us to see, we're playing well because we're playing as a team, everyone is doing their job seemingly all of the time. Yes, we were not as good against Southend as we have been this season but I think that shows the hangover from the effort of the Wigan game. Some say we were fortunate on Tuesday night and there may be something in that but I don't think Dean Henderson's excellent saves are luck. It's just a different part of the team doing its job.
With all the industry we've witnessed in the last two home games, I'm hoping that we have enough left in us to deny a resurgent Oldham their first win of the season. To be honest, I'd not be too disappointed with a 0-0 draw, I know the context of the start we've had would make that seem disappointed. As many managers say, if you win at home and draw away, you cant go wrong.
Oldham Athletic 2-2 Shrewsbury Town
COYB!!!