ago I was asked to write my thoughts on the Latics prospects for the season by a fellow FootyMad site and whilst I was happy to do
so, I felt the timing was somewhat strange. No transfers had taken place and we were all still catching our breath from an exhaustive
World Cup. On my days off work I as getting up every day to watch the games at 7.30am. Madness!
However, after leaving predictions for a few weeks, I finally set about writing some thoughts on the Latics for 2002/3. These ranged
from being more unoptimistic than usual to being downright pessimistic. After all, we still lacked a striker, we still looked short of a
right winger and to be honest, we had done little to build a side to move forward from the end of last season. Alas, I wrote my
comments 24 hours too early. Had I waited, I would have first seen Clint Hill join us from Tranmere Rovers and then several days
later we would make an addition to the side that has really whet my appetite for the new season, in Man City's Chris Killen. How
things change!
Looking at these two additions, the Latics have strengthened two positions where only one would have been necessary - the forward
line. The positives are that Clint Hill will take no prisoners at the back whilst Chris Killen, a New Zealand international, boasts a
healthy 2nd Division scoring rate from his time on loan at Port Vale (6 in 10 games). Not only that but Killen has played in my home
town of Hyde, as Man City reserves use Ewan Fields and whenever I have seen him play there Killen has looked good. There are
negatives however. Hill has seen his fair share of red cards (I believe 7 during his Tranmere career) whilst I am led to believe that
Killen may be susceptible to injuries. Hopefully, neither of these ailments will affect the lads or the team.
Therefore, we now search for one player only. A right winger has been needed for some time now and after this weekend's home
friendlies, we may have found the answer. A hungry, young Josh Lowe impressed in both the Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday
fixtures and what a masterstroke it would be to sign him in time to face what would then become his former club - Cardiff City.
Lowe showed a hunger to chase and a thirst to beat his man. In particularly against Wednesday, Lowe looked influential and in the
second have forced Pressman into a good save after beating one man and cruising past another to give him sight of goal. If ever a
gap needed filling, the right wing does therefore don't be surprised to see Dowie gamble on the lad and pitch him straight in this
Saturday.
Latics vs Newcastle United
Having barely stepped back into Boundary Park and the Latics were already 1-0 down. Shola Ameobi had opened the scoring and
before we knew it, Newcastle were 2-0 up through a bizarre Hill header which left Miskelly stranded and the ball in the back of the
net.
It was always obvious that this was little more than a friendly which consisted of two teams reserves sides, however both sides held
players that will be extremely significant in both teams campaigns. For Newcastle, that extra class always showed particularly in
the second half as Robbie Elliott, Adam Griffin, Carl Cort and Ameobi all pressed forward and looked to gain fitness. There were
times when class did evaporate and instead pantomime stuff was the result. Take Carl Cort missing a 2 yard tap in for instance, or if
you like, Adam Griffin scything down Darren Sheridan (must have hurt as he stayed down instead of looking for the punch up!) The
referee subsequently asked Newcastle's management take Griffin off.
The Latics on the other had sported a 3-4-1-2 as Dowie once again played with formations. Hill threw his weight around, whilst Lowe
chased and harassed. Upfront Lourenco sat behind the front two, with David Reeves putting in a lively performance and Andrews still
looking for his 2nd Division feet. This was obvious especially by his miss infront of goal late in the first half. Admittedly it was a
difficult volley at full stretch, but had Andrews been sharp enough, the Latics may have had the better of the spoils. This effort ended
up being sliced over the bar with the goal at his mercy. Nevertheless the trio did test Newcastle's defence and looked surprisingly
inspired. Lourenco especially, appeared to thrive in a position of running at a defence from deep whilst others patrolled along the
offside line. That might be something we see more of this season.
In the end though, Ameobi's opener and Hill's gaff handed the spoils to Newcastle. Only a well taken goal from Lowe gave the Latics
some hope of a comeback. This came on 43 as he burst through the middle of the defence and superbly lobbed Karelese in goal.
The Magpies though found the second half relatively comfortable and ran out the deserved winners. In the end the class difference
was there to be seen but it was nice to see our second XI compete against Newcastle's.
Latics vs Sheffield Wednesday
This was always going to be Dowie's last chance to experiment and boy, did he take the opportunity. First he started with a 4-4-2
with John Eyre at right back (who played well and passed out of defence very comfortably). Appleby appeared to sit infront of the
back two - is this something we will see more of? That changed though as gradual changes in the game took place. Shortly after
putting the Latics 1-0 up, Carss (playing left back) was substituted for John Sheridan allowing Appleby a more free role. With the
introduction of Clint Hill in the 2nd half Dowie then reverted back to a 3-5-2 to finish the game. So you could say that many
permutations were being looked at.
Also it was obvious that one member was in the shop window. Duxbury (now transfer listed) looked lively and out to prove a point
and he almost did that early on as his long ranger whistled just over the bar. David Eyres was his usual self on the left wing, however
it was slightly obvious that his ball control seemed to have suffered over the break as this was not up to its usual standard. I'm sure
that will be something he will improve on the training pitch.
Upfront Killen starred and although he didn't play bad, he did look to be slightly off the pace. Obviously time will make the difference.
Corazzin was his usual industrious self, but again he proved that his control will always let him down. Can his workrate be enough to
compensate for his obviously lack of quality on the ball?
Lowe again showed promise and again asks Dowie if he is the answer to our right wing conundrum. Slight worries from this runout
though came in the form of Tony Carss & new Aussie keeper Pogliacomi. Hopefully, we saw caution being thrown to the wind with
Carss, as he was taken off soon after his goal. As for Pogliacomi, first impressions were one of an unsure, non-commanding
shadow in goal. Very little impressed as his kicking looked half-hearted and his attempt to save Wednesday's winner was all wrong.
He should have gone out to the narrow Sibon's angle and stayed tall in goal. Doing neither allowed Sibon's grass-cutter to travel
under Pogliacomi and into the far corner. Hopefully, Pogi's greenness will be short-lived.
Sibon's winner settled a game which appeared better organised on the pitch than the previous night's but lacked the same attacking
feel. Indeed, it was more Wednesday attacking in the second half as their substitutes seemed to take hold of the game. The Latics
had opened the scoring as from an Eyres left wing cross, Killen shot at goal from a tight angle but instead found Carss at the other
edge of the 6 yard box. He had no problem smashing home from close range.
Simon Donnelly then burst through late in the first half to level and finally Sibon settled the encounter. After his winner, the game
petered out but for one incident which ruffled the Wednesday fans feathers. Killen over-committed to a header and ended
up clattering Pressman and sending him packing. That went unforgiven by Wednesday fans. Hopefully the injury isn't as bad as it
looked.
The Starting Team
So with the Cardiff game now well in our sites, it's time to assess the opening day side. After seeing these two games, admittedly it
is a puzzle as to what Dowie is hoping to put together. A few things look clear. Killen is the main man upfront and in a 3-5-2 he will
have either Corazzin or Reeves alongside, with Lourenco playing inside forward. In a 4-4-2 Killen will probably be deployed with just
Lourenco.
At the back, it again depends on the formation. However, I expect Hill and Baudet to be the main pairing (in a 4-4-2) with either Hall
or Berehall making up the third CB in a 3-5-2. Across the middle we have Eyres on the left, Appleby in the middle with John
Sheridan and I'm hoping Josh Lowe. So here's how it might look...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-4-2
(GK)
Pogliacomi
(RB) (CB) (CB) (LB)
Dean Holden Clint Hill Julian Baudet Tony Carss (Chris Amstrong when fit)
(RW) (CM) (CM) (LM)
Josh Lowe Matty Appleby John Sheridan David Eyres
(FW) (FW)
Chris Killen Lourenco
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-5-2
(GK)
Pogliacomi
(CB) (CB) (CB)
Fitz Hall Clint Hill Julian Baudet
(RWB) (RCM) (LCM) (LWB)
Josh Lowe M. Appleby David Eyres Tony Carss (Chris Amstrong when fit)
(IF)
Lourenco
(FW) (FW)
Chris Killen Carlo Corazzin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expectations
So to sum up. 46 league games to go. Five new signings. Fresh optimism. Will we get the results? Will Killen be that man we've
searched for? We hope. I think that we can challenge for the play-offs and probably push for automatic. However, I think if we do it
we will probably need to visit Cardiff to do it. I wonder what odds you could get on that? The Latics season beginning at home to
Cardiff and ending at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Fingers crossed folks!
Finish: 4th - Playoffs.