MILLWALL head to SportsDirect.com Park (aka Boundary Park) this weekend hoping to climb back up into the play-off places.
Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Chesterfield was two points dropped and they are a point off the top six. However, Neil Harris’ side did extend their unbeaten run to 14 games and their clean sheet run to seven.
Shaun Hutchinson returned to the side with Jake Cooper suspended. However, Steve Morison, Jed Wallace and Jordan Archer are all unlikely to be available for Saturday’s game.
Oldham are currently just two places above the relegation zone, and only one point above 21st-placed Port Vale.
While the Latics have the third best clean sheet record in the Football League, scoring has been their real issue this season. John Sheridan signed winger Chris Taylor on deadline day, and the man on loan from Bolton will hope to make an impact against his former club.
Lucas Ball spoke to Oldham fan Graham Lees ahead of Saturday’s tie:
Twitter: @Graham_Lees
Why do you support Oldham?: I support Oldham for two reasons, firstly the fact that I was born just yards from Boundary Park and secondly, as most people have in common, I was taken as a child to watch Oldham by my dad and didn’t really know of any alternative.
Oldham are currently on a three-game unbeaten run, do you expect to extend that on Saturday?: Our recent form has been more like that of a top-six team since the arrival of Sheridan, so I’m fairly confident we will get something from the game. Hopefully we can move further away from the relegation zone.
Oldham are two places and just one point above Port Vale in 21st, are you confident of beating the drop?: Since the arrival of Sheridan and the January transfer window, we seem to have recruited well in key areas.
Anthony Gerrard has come in at centre-half for his third spell, Rob Hunt was brought in from Brighton, Chris Taylor too (a player who we both know well). Aiden O’Neill was signed from Burnley and Aaron Amadi-Holloway from Fleetwood to also bolster the squad.
We seem to have a resilience, particularly in a defence that teams are struggling to break down. So with that in mind, I’m more than confident that Oldham will be in League One for their 20th consecutive season next season. Boring, I know.
Who will Millwall have to look out for from the Oldham side?: We have yet to see the best of Taylor, but I’m sure all eyes will be on him on Saturday.
Otherwise, our number one Connor Ripley (son of Stuart) is in fine form between the sticks. Outfield, O’Neill has shown promise in midfield and Amadi-Holloway up top will be a handful for any centre-half.
The one to watch is top scorer Peter Clarke. He is solid in defence and has a knack of scoring important goals.
Who will Oldham be looking out for from Neil Harris’ team?: Steve Morison always seems to score against Oldham and David Worrall had a brief spell with us. He scored against us last season in the 5-2 home defeat to Southend so it will be interesting to see how this encounter goes if he plays.
Finally, a score prediction?: Given Millwall’s recent defensive stability and prowess, I’d have to go for a 0-0 draw. We are also quite good in defence so the two sides could cancel each other out on Saturday.
Graphic: @ShedCreative