Here's the scenario - the Blues play a Swindon side that's either been brilliant or rubbish this season. A mid-season run led them to safety along with the help of ex-Latics traitor Sam Parkin and his 24 goals. But since securing Division 2 safety the side has put in some remarkable wins, notably beating Crewe last Saturday. For the Latics, there is no better proof that these won't roll over to be tickled. Should the Latics fail to secure that play-off place at this attempt, then what a nerve-wrecking final day it will be as a win against Huddersfield would be a must. The Terriers might still be fighting to the death to avoid relegation then.
You sense that the Latics really need to beat Swindon and make it a formality in Huddersfield. The term, sooner rather than later is the key - most fans thought a play-off place would have been secured long before now. And you can't blame them for thinking that. It is amazing to think that at times this season the Blues had been 12 points clear of 7th place, and on average usually about 7 points clear, yet now the gap is just a meagre 4 points. It's enough to turn you grey.
Preparation for the tie has been the usually Big Dipper, yet again! As if enough problems hadn't been faced this season, another bombshell has been dropped with the emerging news that Alan Hardy has been suspended. It apparently centres around the signing of Duncan Roberts, but having dealt with the club on a personal basis through SAFE, I for one know how much of a detriment this is to the club.
Alan Hardy, admittedly, has a section of fans who despise him. Myself, well I can only stick up for the man. Hardy was often the baring of bad news to Latics fans when JW Lees owned the club and hence his name has often been tarnished with bad feelings. True, the fact that he took a large percentage of cash from the now defunct Latique doesn't hold well with some people, but Alan Hardy in truth, has been the sticky-back plastic holding Oldham Athletic together at times. Indeed, since Moore arrived at Boundary Park, both he and Sean Jarvis have been left to do most of the day-to-day running, so where does this leave the backroom staff now?!?! In turmoil, one suspects.
Ironically though, the Latics seem to produce a decent result after backroom turmoil. I don't put that down to resilience, just maybe a case of the players having better concentration as they look away from the distractions in the corner of their eye. During the week leading up to the Stockport game, Dowie had to deliberate over making David Cross redundant as part of cut-backs at the club. The Latics went on to sneak an important late winner at Edgeley Park in the very next game. And even on the day that it was announced that Moore was moving aside from being Chairman, the side produced a great defensive shut out against a strong and in-form QPR side. Success in the face of adversity.
At this stage of the season however, it isn't useful to look for omens. It's useful to be solid and ruthless. But that is proving difficult as strangely, the Latics are currently in a run of 1 good result, followed by 1 bad result, followed by 1 good result etc. etc. Look at the last 6 games. On March 22nd the Latics blew Northampton away with a fine performance. That was followed up by a lukewarm, mediocre point at home to Port Vale. The Latics then put in a strong performance to oust out a useful looking Barnsley side, before visiting Cheltenham and missing 4 golden chances. Despite the performance, the side still left with just a disappointing point. Last Saturday the good-bad run continued with a 4-0 walloping of Chesterfield, only for it to be proceeded by the Wigan defeat. So, by rights, we should have no worry in putting Swindon to the sword. I can't see it being as easy as that though.
Looking at The Robins, manager Andy King has got a pretty handy side together. Alan Reeves is a solid defender, whilst captain, Andy Guerney has always looked a decent player for the Robins. Add to this, other players who will pose threat are Danny Invincible, Stefan Miglioranzi and traitor Sam Parkin.
Invincible, is a player inform (and heavily scouted at present, Aberdeen are said to be lining up a bid). The Swindon player netted one and set the other up in their midweek win over Plymouth. Another inform player is Miglioranzi. He impressed against Crewe last week and scored the only goal of that game.
Finally, upfront we have the man to dislike - Sam Parkin. Worryingly, he will be a threat with his 24 goals and he would love to put his 25th in against the Latics. Parkin was offered a great chance to join an Oldham side looking for promotion last season, after spending the last several weeks of the 2000/1 season at Boundary Park. But he snubbed us for the now-relegated Northampton, of all teams, and went on to net 4 paltry goals in 34 games. This delighted many Latics fans like myself, as his decision left a bitter taste in the mouth.
All in all, this will be a good game of attacking football. With relegation not a threat, Swindon will hopefully provide more attacking prowess than they might have done had something been at stake. Really, the Wiltshire side will be hoping to secure a top 10 finish and thus they'll look to play football rather than frustrate. Which should benefit the Latics, as it did we Barnsley did the same thing 3 weeks ago. But if the nerves are jangling, will Wiggy and the boys create and frustrate themselves by missing their chances. If that becomes the pattern of the game, then it'll be an edgy day for all at Boundary Park. With a 4-0 win in our last home game, here's hoping for more of the same tomorrow!!!
It'll be the same line-up for the 4th game in a row. How refreshing it is to be able to see the same XI and how important could that now be with the play-offs (touch-wood) looming? Hopefully, the Latics will be able to iron out the odd wrinkles which caused the defeat at Wigan. Those wrinkles are a slight air of uncertainty in defence. Also they need to rid themselves of this lapse of concentration, where when the side becomes under pressure the intelligent passing disappears to heap more pressure on.
The Latics in truth are suffering from the odd under-performing player. Fitz Hall has looked indifferent in recent weeks, whilst Will Haining has also appeared to slightly lose his composure. Haining's anticipation to get infront of his man and win the ball, has been his biggest asset to his defending. For some reason, that has been apparent in it's disappearance.
Also, I feel Paul Murray isn't being properly utilised and it has baffled me how people how think he has been our best player in recent weeks. True, Murray is breaking up play well, but for me the Latics midfielder should be getting the ball down and working it. Sometimes he does and when he does, it's often fantastic. But it's not often enough. Only Sheridan seems able to work the ball so effectively at present. Personally, it shouldn't be discounted to consider maybe a swap of Tony Carss for Murray as Carss has a better engine. Between the two I suppose it is Carss' engine vs Murray's quality and craftwork. Which would be the better for the side?
Talking of Carss, it is so good to see him back to fitness now. But even more so, the return of Clint Hill is a massive boost and he should start on the bench tomorrow. If he is the player he was before his broken leg in December, then his return just cannot be underestimated. The biggest worry is the missing Pogliacomi though, along with his 18 clean sheets record. Miskelly has made some vital saves but sometimes you just feel that he could command his area slightly better than he does. Fingers crossed that he doesn't make a vital error which costs us tomorrow.
To sum up proceedings, the Latics should win this one. But will they? I think yes, but it'll be similar to the Barnsley game where we may just nick it by the odd goal. I can see Parkin getting one, but for that we'll knock 2 past them!
Verdict - A narrow 2-1 Latics win.
PS If anyone fancies a final home game celebration, then why not meet up with real Latics fans in The Queens on Rochdale Road afterwards. However, tomorrow is an all adults affair. Let's hope that we'll all be in there celebrating our secured play-off spot by 5pm. See you there!!!