It would be judicious to say that Oldham Athletic has endured a torrid time since their sensational victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane three weeks ago.
Despite a refusal to be beaten comfortably, the fact Oldham manager Paul Dickov has seen his side lose its last four matches must invoke a real cause for concern in the Scot, particularly when he analyses the quality (or lack thereof) of the opposition his players have lined up against.
With a severe injury crisis crippling the spine of the side Dickov consequently has been forced to field a team consisting of too much youth and inexperience and not enough composed control, particularly in central midfield. However, what should worry Oldham fans more is the lack of determination or fight on display that is needed to arrest this losing streak.
It would be easy to surrender and blame cruel luck, but that is not in Dickov’s steely nature. In his post-match comments following Oldham’s latest defeat – 3-2 against bottom-club and local rivals Rochdale – Dickov alluded to bad luck. Such allusions demonstrate weakness.
Dickov of all former footballers to ever embark on a fruitful playing career knows too well that luck plays second fiddle to the ‘pull you socks up and get stuck in’ approach which served him so well. Despite a lack of technical ability, Dickov scored goals. Why? He worked tirelessly in pursuit of them. He scrapped for success, and one of the ramifications is a little good fortune.
The Oldham players, bandaged and bruised they may be, need to quickly grasp this concept because with 11 games to play the relegation places are flashing their warning signs and they are getting brighter.
With Oldham’s games in hand and a tasty line of struggling sides such as Scunthorpe and Yeovil, plus Rochdale and a Stevenage side which has lost its way of late since the departure of Graham Westley, to play, why then have Oldham not picked up a minimum of six points? Defending like novices to the sport is one reason in particular why. Dreadful finishing, a lack of physicality in midfield, and no obvious leader are others.
With some promising youth prospects such as David Mellor and James Tarkowski being allowed time to blossom in the wake of the injury crisis, as well as a quite extraordinary goal from Shefki Kuqi (bring Youtube up and view it – it is something special), shining a miniscule amount of light on a bleak March there are signs yet that the players can wrestle control of this free fall.
Should, as is in truth is probable, Oldham escape relegation’s grasp, which is getting ever closer, Dickov will have learnt a lot as a manager this season. He has had to manage domestic cup joys with the woes of day-to-day player management, players who have dwindled away from the training pitch to spend more time with the physio. Every manager will have to pass through depressing stages, and Dickov has to fight through his.
To Dickov’s credit, he has done tremendously well to keep his wearying ship afloat, but those waters then were choppy at worst. There has been the occasional wave to ride which Dickov certainly did (Liverpool and a run to the JPT Northern Area Final), but when the criticism starts to take aim he must instil into his demoralised squad the fierce grit that accompanies his every glare.
It shouldn’t have taken too much precedence but Hartlepool on Tuesday night is arguably their most important fixture of the season. To lose five successive games to opposition no greater in ability than themselves would be a catastrophe. To panic would tip fragile nerves, those in both fans and players, nearer to breaking point. At present, the majority of fans are still fully supportive of Dickov and are sympathetic to his cause, and at the present the players seemingly still enjoy playing under Dickov.
A victory by hook or by crook on Tuesday will ease the growing pressure. A further loss is unimaginable.
By Oldham Athletic blogger Craig Worswick
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