Latics still in demise

Last updated : 25 February 2005 By Dave Moore

The recent run of results show we are still in the demise after our glory days of the Premiership. Yes, believe it or not, Oldham Athletic were founder members of the Premiership. Our demise still stems, in a lot of the minds of Latics fans, from that goal by Mark Hughes in the 1994 FA cup semi-final.

We all thought that “Celebration Sunday” would be the turning point of our upsurge but no! We are still in a precarious position and if it is not halted we could go the way of York City which is not a pretty thought.

If Brian Talbot stays and we go down, how do you think we would fare next season in the BOTTOM division? Not too well is my prediction. Our gates would drop to 4,000 or less and we would end up struggling like the Grimsbys of the league. I am a die-hard Latics fan but recent events have made my ‘keep the faith’ standard drop to the more realistic ‘keeping a blind faith. I must be honest and can’t see a rosey future under the guise of Brian Talbot.

I’m just repeating but, the players don’t appear to have the passion to play their hearts out for Brian Talbot any more. If that’s the case then he should do the right thing and step down for the good of the club.

On the injury front Scott Vernon has received a phone call to confirm that his injury was more serious than was first thought. After reviewing his X-rays it can be confirmed that the striker has a fracture of the orbital wall below his right eye. This problem could extend into his sinus and he has been asked to report back to the hospital to undergo a more detailed CT scan. If the scan proves to be more serious than was first thought, then Vernon could be out for up to six weeks.

Another troublesome worry is that Latics skipper Dean Holden is to have his knee scanned after being substituted at Ashton Gate on Tuesday and he could be out of action for two or three weeks if things do not go well. Another casualty is Latics midfielder Mark Hughes who will miss the home game against Port Vale. Hughes picked up his 5th. booking of the season at Bristol City and will face an automatic ban which will keep him out the Vale game.