The Dukinfield Dazzler predicts vs Wycombe
Last updated : 30 August 2002 By The Dukinfield Dazzler
PREVIEW: A lot of people are saying that this is the final piece in the jigsaw and to be honest, I tend to agree. The Latics have made a major coup in signing former Leeds Utd & Huddersfield Town star, Clyde Wijnhard. Two years ago, Clyde was the luckiest man alive. His serious car crash, in which a close friend died, looked as though it would end his career. Amazingly, 18 months on Wijnhard is back and if his first 2 games are anything to go by, he's also back to his best.
Wijnhard netted a sweet goal against Tranmere on his debut and almost instantly, you can see the talent, experience and co-operation that he has developed with Chris Killen upfront. For years, we've always appeared to have bit-part strikers - the kindof nearly-men that run their hearts out, but never quite manage to star, or be that 15-20 goal man that they promise. And that has kept us stuck down in Division 2. Even last season when we netted 68 times, David Eyres (a left winger) was our top scorer with just 12 goals, in a season where we scored the most goals since our last promotion 1992/3.
In just 2 games, the potential for Oldham Athletic has really shone and that is without any classic performances. They're just concrete and reliable, something we've not seen for years. We're rock solid at the back with Clint Hill, in midfield, admittedly this has yet to really come strong but when it does and we play lesser teams, we could be awesome. And as mentioned, Wijnhard and Killen really have played off each other well. Their knowledge sees one making runs and creating huge gaps for the other to silently ghost into. With a little more support from midfield the Latics could have really dominated against Tranmere and Blackpool, by flooding those gaps. Time will surely see this happen.
The only worry for Saturday is the suspension of Fitz Hall. After an excellent start to his league footballing career, Hall has to sit this one out after an extremely harsh 2nd yellow at Brentford. However, the good side is that we've also got real depth now. Julian Baudet must be feeling very frustrated at being on the bench and Dowie has tried to fit him into midfield and even used him on the right-wing as a sub on Monday. So this is his perfect chance for the reliable Frenchman to step in and debutise.
This game could be played at a frantic pace tomorrow, but I honestly think this one is bread and butter stuff. I hope we aren't cocky and complacent and that we do another solid job tomorrow. If so, I can see us racking a few goals and winning by a good margin.
Wycombe however will be coming with other ideas. Their idea is to frustrate and be quite physical which for once, might suit us. We're getting a bit of a nasty streak and hopefully we can get Andy Rammell sent off again (he's a lanky streak of **** - allegedly!!!). The other problems come in Sean Devine and ex-Latics target Craig Faulconbridge.
Former Wrexham striker Faulconbridge will be keen to do us for several reasons. Not only did Wrexham turn down our bids of £200,000 & £350,000 only to get nothing for him, Latics fans find it hilarious that he wanted to hold out for a higher division club and then ended up at - no disrespect but... Wycombe. Plus, we always have done well against Wrexham so he's got several reasons to dislike the Latics. That won't be enough though!
TEAM NEWS: LATICS - As mentioned, Hall will be relaced by Baudet. I envisage this to be the only change, as Wijnhard should make his full appearance as an official Oldham Athletic player and Appleby should keep his place in midfield, despite looking unconvincing so far this season. Micheal Clegg should also continue at RB, despite him too not being at his best.
One other possibility is talk of Armstrong being on the bench. Currently our CB Beherall is playing LB and despite the clean sheets he isn't a LB. Although he still looks solid and capable, he does allow himself to be easily turned before he chases and rectifies the error. Also, he doesn't get forward enough, leaving Eyres on his own on the left. I'd prefer to see Carss given a chance (as he was against Cardiff), because he'd link up well perfectly with Eyres. However, we are looking solid at present, so why change a combination that is currently working. Long may it continue!
Predicted team: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Berehall, Hill, Baudet, Clegg, MD - Eyres, Duxbury, Appleby, Low, FW - Winjhard, Killen
The Opposition - Wycombe:
Martyn Lee, Gavin Holligan and Jermaine McSporran are all still missing through long-term injuries. Goalkeeper Martin Taylor may be fit for the squad - he missed the last two games due to a back injury. Other than that, a similar side should play to that which beat QPR 4-1 in a game that ended with nine versus nine.
Predicted team: GK - Taylor, DF - Senda, McCarthy, Rogers, Vinnicombe, MD - Roberts, Currie, Simpson, Bulman, FW - Walker, Rammell
LATIC'S LAST FIVE:
Cardiff H Lost 2-1
Peterborough A Won 1-0
Brentford A Drew 0-0
Tranmere H Won 2-0
Blackpool A drew 0-0
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Oldham draws Wanderers
2 3 5
Wycombe have only won 1 in 5 games at Boundary Park. The other 4 Latics losses have been accumalated at Adams Park.
MATCH FACTORS:
Last time at Boundary Park: Oldham Athletic 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Revenge - Well, Latics fans will never forget or forgive the time that Lawrie Sanchez slagged us off and basically said we'd never go to Adams Park and get any points. Smug git thought they just had to turn up and walk off with 3pts. Is that why we got a 0-0 then? Oh and Lawrie, you're not so great at Boundary Park! Oh what fun it was last season when we tore Wycombe apart and all he did was mope about along the touchline. It'll be a good day if that happens again tomorrow.
The Missing Players - We may miss Hall, but to be honest, I have every confidence in Baudet. Wycombe may miss Jamie McSporran but to be honest, they've been winning without him, so we should discount the fact he won't play against us.
The Strikers - Killen & Winjhard for the Latics and Devine, Rammell & Faulconbridge for Wycombe. They're a tasty lot. You should expect goals galore. But our defence is rock solid (my god, I must sit down!) and this should be the difference. We're going to win a lot 2-0 at home this season. I think this will be another.
VERDICT:
It's got to be a home result. I know I'm setting myself up for one, but I can't see us not winning. A home banker. But I could look end up looking like a.... well, erm, you know!!!
Result: 2-0 to the Latics
Outcome: Home banker.
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