Swindon preview's

ATHLETIC today unveiled two new signings in experienced Preston midfielder David Eyres and the versatile ex-Chesterfield player, Tony Carss. In a bold double swoop, manager Andy Ritchie captured both men on free transfers and is set to pitch them into his struggling side at home to Swindon tomorrow. Eyres is 36, but he played a big part in Preston's run to the second division title last term and was one of the most popular players at Deepdale. Athletic believe he will bring flair to the left of midfield, a position he has also filled with distinction for Blackpool and Burnley. Carss, who also plays on the left, was made available at the end of last season after Chesterfield's relegation to division three.

He had a short spell with Carlisle but chose to join Athletic — his seventh club at the age of 24. Having bemoaned his lack of cover on the left-hand side, Ritchie now has plenty of options and will start concentrating on finding a striker. A loan deal is most likely and he has already tried to sign Manchester City's Danny Allsopp, who opted instead for Bristol Rovers. Eyres and Carss, who can play anywhere from full-back to winger, have both signed to the end of this season, with an option for one more year. They have been named in the squad for tomorrow, when Athletic bid to end a gruesome run of 10 league games without a win. Ritchie said: "We had been short on the left for a while, but these signings mean we have four players competing for a couple of positions.

"There is a new challenge for Andy Holt, who hasn't been showing the best of form on that side, and I'm delighted both lads have signed. "David will give us good delivery into the box and he has always scored his share of goals. "I have kept tabs on Tony for quite a while because he is a good worker who can play in a lot of positions. "We have always said we didn't have the personnel to switch systems and play 4-4-2, but now we can start looking at that and maybe making a change. "And we still haven't finished trying to bring people in. We could do with someone to play next to Carlo Corazzin, and we might need another centre-back." Corazzin returns from international duty tomorrow, while Swindon expect to be unchanged from last week's win against Oxford United.

Athletic (from): Kelly, Watson, Garnett, Hotte, Adams, Holt, Duxbury, McNiven, Salt, Tipton, Dudley, Corazzin, Allott, Lightfoot, Boshell, Smith, Innes, Jones, Eyres, Carss, Miskelly. 

THE first meeting of the new Oldham Stadium Company, which will redevelop Boundary Park, will be held on Wednesday. Until now, the scheme has been in the hands of a shadow board, made up of three Oldham Council representatives and three from Oldham Athletic. The Roughyeds, Oldham's RL club, have also been invited to nominate a director to take up the seventh place on the new company board. The new board was set up following the scrapping of the plans to build Sports Park 2000, including a new stadium, on Clayton playing fields. The idea was dropped after the Liberal Democrats took control of Oldham Council in May, and it also follows the sale of the Boundary Park ground to developers Hiretarget, to help Latics to pay off their multi-million-pound debts.

Shadow board chairman Councillor Chris Hilyer said the new company aims to buy back the ground, using money raised by the B & Q warehouse development. "Money was left on one side and it was always said that this was for investment in a new stadium. But the ways in which this is used is for a future decision." However, he said finance will also have to come from other sources, adding: "There is no question that a successful ground and stadium will need more facilities than the encircling stands and changing facilities. "We are looking at a new, modern stadium with conference and other sorts of facilities." He did not rule out the idea of building a hotel as part of the improvements, but said: "We are at the first day of looking at proposals, and have to look at all options. "But we are nowhere near looking at the way in which the development actually proceeds. "One thing is certain, that it will subject to full consultation at all stages, not only with various sporting bodies, the council and businesses, but residents around the area. We will take everyone forward." 

Teamtalk Oldham
 
 

The Latics made a double transfer swoop on Friday when they signed Preston's David Eyres and Tony Carss from Carlisle - both on free transfers. Both Eyres, 36, and 24-year-old Carss, have agreed 12-month deals with an option for a further year. Both will make their debuts in Saturday's home game against Swindon. Andy Ritchie is hoping his new signings will help lift the Latics out of the relegation places. He said: "David comes with a lot of experience and that is something which has been missing. And Tony is so versatile he can almost play anywhere. Both are left-sided players and that has been a weakness this season."

Eyres and Carss, meanwhile, have spoken of their delight at joining the Latics. Liverpool-born Eyres, who began his career at Blackpool before moving on to Burnley and then Preston, said: "Andy Ritchie sold the club to me and I didn't have any second thoughts. They have some good players here and I am sure the side will soon start to climb the table, I will certainly be doing my bit. Three or four clubs wanted me to go on loan but Oldham came in with a firm offer and that was good enough for me."
Eyres concluded: "I still believe I have a couple of years left in me and I am looking forward to this new challenge."

Carss may only be 24, but the Latics is his seventh club. The north easterner was previously with Carlisle, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Darlington, Blackburn and Bradford City. He said: "When I heard Oldham were in for me I didn't need to think about it - I was already on my way. Andy Ritchie is well known and respected in the game and I am more than happy to be here."

Speaking of the Latics poor form so far this season Carss claims: "I know the side has been struggling but when you look at the players here, it makes you wonder why. I know exactly what it is like because we went 15 games without a win when I was at Chesterfield. I also know what it is like to be relegated - I was absolutely gutted and I never want that experience again. I will be giving everything I have got to make sure it doesn't happen here."
 
 

Meanwhile, 21 year old Berwick born full-back Jordan Tait has joined Third Division Darlington on loan until the end of the season.
Tait started his career as a YTS player at Newcastle United, and was snapped up by Andy Ritchie last season. The 21-year-old will go straight into the squad for Darlington's home match against Torquay ­on Saturday. Feethams boss Gary Bennett declared that Tait's versatility will make him an invaluable addition to the club. "Jordan can play in several positions ­ he can play left back, or on the right side," he said.
 
 

The Latics reserves lost 4-2 on penalties against Manchester United in the Manchester Senior Cup at Bury's Gigg Lane ground on Thursday night. Danny Boshell opening the scoring in the 5th minute then Gerry McLaughlin made it two ten minutes later. United pulled a goal back in the 80th minute and levelled two minutes later when Ben Futcher gave away a penalty. The Latics finally lost when Boshell and Ryan Sugden missed their spot kicks

Teamtalk Preston

North End veteran David Eyres has completed a shock switch to Oldham on a free transfer. The former Burnley man has failed to command a regular first team spot this season but still, this switch comes totally out of the blue. The 36-year-old has joined the Boundary Park outfit on a one year-deal which has an option of a further years extension - that's if he impresses the Latics boss, Andy Ritchie. Speaking of his move to the Second Division outfit Eyres said: "Andy Ritchie sold the club to me and I didn't have any second thoughts. "They have some good players here and I am sure the side will soon start to climb the table, I will certainly be doing my bit. "Three or four clubs wanted me to go on loan but Oldham came in with a firm offer and that was good enough for me. "I still believe I have a couple of years left in me and I am looking forward to this new challenge." Eyres' transfer, despite coming as quite a shock, will not harm David Moyes' team too much as young star Paul McKenna has been progressing through the ranks and had been preferred to Eyres on numerous occasion's this season.

Teamtalk Darlington

Darlington have completed their second signing of the day following the arrival of Oldham fullback Jordan Tait who should play tomorrow. The Berwick-born 21-year-old joined Quakers yesterday in a loan deal until the end of the season. Tait started his career as a YTS player at Newcastle United, and was snapped up by Oldham boss Andy Ritchie last season. The 21-year-old will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's home match against Torquay ­ alongside manager Gary Bennett's other new loan signing, Sunderland midfielder Thomas Butler. And the Feethams boss declared that Tait's versatility will make him an invaluable addition to the club. "Jordan can play in several positions ­ he can play left back, or on the right side," he said. 

Swindon Evening Advertiser

AUSSIE Mark Robertson could miss tomorrow's (Saturday, October 14) match at Boundary Park if he is forced to make an emergency dash back to Swindon. The Town midfielder travelled north to Oldham today, leaving his expectant wife, Lucia, behind. The couple's first child is due today and Robertson will be waiting anxiously for the call to make the 182-mile trek home. Manager Colin Todd has given Robertson permission to travel back if his wife goes into labour. "It's very difficult to concentrate on football at the moment," admitted Robertson. "It's always at the back of your mind about when she will go into labour. Obviously, I want to take my chance with the first team but the baby comes first. "I don't know what will happen if she goes into labour. Hopefully the manager won't mind if I make a dash back to Swindon."

Robertson's parents have travelled from Australia to give their support to the couple. "It's our first one and we're both very excited. We've got all the stuff ready and the parents are over from Australia, so we're waiting for it to happen. "The lads reckon he or she will be born in a Swindon kit." Robertson forced his way back into manager Colin Todd's plans with a stirring display for the reserves on Tuesday. Playing in a striker's role, the 23-year-old grabbed Town's goal in a 1-1 draw at Colchester. He said: "I felt fresh and did well in the first half when I scored. I had a few other chances and probably should have scored some more. "As a manager you can never have too many options. I am happy to keep myself open for different positions and hope to be selected." Todd said: "It is up to Mark whether he wants to come back to Swindon. I won't stand in his way if he wants to be at the birth."

SWINDON chairman Terry Brady is facing a fine for illegally parking his helicopter on the County Ground extension. The printing tycoon, who took over at the County Ground in the summer, could face charges from Swindon Borough Council. Mr Brady landed his chopper on land at the back of the County Ground last month (September) as he visited the club for a series of management meetings. However, a local resident complained to the council and a stern warning letter has arrived on Mr Brady's doormat. "I thought it would be OK to land the helicopter on the land behind the ground, but someone complained and I look set to be fined by the local council," he said. "I should be OK to land there in the future, as long as we put up a rope around the landing area." He will be using four wheels instead of blades when he drives up to Oldham on Saturday. "I am looking forward to the game," he said. "Things are going well on and off the field and I hope we can keep improving."
 
 

MARK Robinson needs no reminding about Town's last visit to Boundary Park. He and Steve Cowe are the only surviving members from the team dumped 5-1 by Oldham on a miserable March afternoon in 1997. Town finished a lowly 19th in Division One that season and the defeat at the hands of The Latics provides Robinson with painful memories. Town's skipper said: "I remember that game well. Neil Warnock had just taken over at Oldham and we had quite a few new faces in our team. "It was Phil King's first game on his return to the club but that day we were absolutely dreadful. They hadn't long got rid of the plastic and the pitch was absolutely awful. It was not a nice experience." Robinson is expecting another tough match tomorrow. "They are having a bad time of it at the moment but that doesn't count for anything if we don't perform on the day," he said. "We've got ourselves into a position where if we get two good results on Saturday and Tuesday we can be in the top half of the league. "We've got to be consistent. There's no point doing it for 35 games, you've got to do it for 46."
 
 

COLIN Todd is preparing his team for a battle at Boundary Park tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, October 14). The Town boss knows the struggling Latics will be more than a handful as he seeks to extend a three match unbeaten run. Two wins, against Luton and Oxford, and a draw with Wigan have given Todd belief that Swindon are moving in the right direction. Now he wants that form to continue in Lancashire. "We know their style of playing and we know that it is going to be one hell of a battle," he said. "We are in a little bit of form and making some progress, but that is no good unless we continue to make more progress. "We have got to keep the wheels turning. My concern is ourselves and we have opponents there who are going to make life difficult. We just have to be as up for it as they are. "Oldham are struggling in the league but so were Luton Town and Oxford. They are still teams that we need to beat. I don't care where teams are in the league, any side will give you a hard-fought encounter and I expect that on Saturday."

And Todd expects 100 per cent from everybody in the squad, including substitutes on the bench. "I have told players of the importance of the people on the subs' bench," he said. "They might not think that being on the bench is good news, but I can assure them they can be just as important as the first eleven. "We saw that on Sunday with the Oxford match. Grazioli and Andy Williams came off the bench and they both played a significant part in us getting the winning goal. They are there for a reason, not just to make up the numbers. I have got to select my subs in a correct manner in which I think is right for the team."
 
 

TOWN'S forwards will have few better opportunities for filling their boots than against Oldham at Boundary Park tomorrow (Saturday, October 14). The struggling Latics have leaked 25 goals already this campaign, more than any other professional side in England. Add to that the eight they conceded over two legs to Sheffield Wednesday in the Worthington Cup, and you can see why players might be looking forward to an away trip with more than their usual relish. Oldham's porous rearguard offers Swindon's strikers a generous platform to improve their scoring records. Town's three main predators, Martin Williams, Gary Alexander and Giuliano Grazioli have netted just four times between them so far, a total just one ahead of the individual contribution of top scorer Alan Reeves. The veteran centre back's unlikely purple patch will not last forever, so it is time for the forwards to start firing.

Oldham have been ponderous at the back, but much of their defensive weakness stems from the midfield area. Their frailties in the centre of the park are mostly beyond the control of manager Andy Ritchie. The Lancashire side are without their experienced fulcrum, Irish international John Sheridan. His nous and range of passing would be an asset to any side, but he has been out since the first game of the season. They are also shorn of the more artisan talents of ball-winner Paul Rickers, who has been out for over a month with a thigh injury. Oldham have really struggled in the absence of their midfield duo, and the fans are beginning to turn on their former idol.

Ritchie played for the Latics during their glory days in the top flight, scoring more than 100 goals and helping them to the FA Cup semi-final in 1990. That side boasted the talents of Denis Irwin, Earl Barrett and Graeme Sharp, but hard times have hit Boundary Park and they slid quietly into Division Two in 1997. Only Oxford are below them in the table and they have few players who will strike fear into the hearts of Colin Todd and his team. Carlo Corazzin has proved a decent signing from Northampton Town, weighing in with three goals so far, but his appearances have been limited by international call-ups for Canada. Both he and central defender Mark Watson were in the Canada team that won the Gold Cup in 1999, beating Dwight Yorke's Trinidad on the way. Corazzin possesses a thunderous shot that should keep Bart Griemink on his toes. But The Latics have failed to win in their last ten matches. 

have we done the right thing letting go of Whitehall and Thom?

Personally, I think that the Thom situation was a scandal and that rather than getting in these players on loan at the back, we should have stuck Thom into the squad and given him his chance. Now he's gone, we have to gamble week in, week out on these loanees.

As for Whitehall, I have found myself to be very critical of him in the past, mostly because of his lack of speed, but on past showings, Whitehall has managed to do what Corazzin and Allott can do and more. Whitehall's best asset was heading goals, yet we keep on pumping in balls from wide now, for nobody to meet. When somebody does get onto the end of a cross (Corazzin
especially) either the ball is headed back across goal or is poorly attempted at being headed in.

I think with things as they are, Whitehall should be kept and that if anyone must go then it has to be Sugden or Tipton or Allott. Dudley needs to be properly taught how to use his attributes (instead of tiring himself out by running about like a blue-as*ed fly), but that is one of a small number of criticisms I have about the management team.

As for Ritchie I, like many of us, have defended him immensely, but his comments about Sunday were poor. Why does he insist that this side is the same one as last season, when Salt, Watson, Smith, Lightfoot, Prenderville, Corazzin, Tipton and Boshell rarely figured in the squad. Alright, some are new signings to try and change things, but that isn't working. Also, I understand that our injuries decimate the squad, but these players haven't turned from good to bad overnight, they have just lost their way due to
Sheridan being missed in a 5 man midfield. Whether he likes it or not, if we play 5 in midfield, then we have to play someone of immense quality and only Sheridan has that. And that is purely why we can't string 2 passes together or defend.

Sheridan stops players coming through the middle and can drift wide to cut off some of the attacks on the flanks. He won't go in for challenges, win the ball and hand it straight back to the opposition, like Boshell and Innes do. The flanks have looked bare for ages now and that is purely down to Adams and whoever is on the left (Holt?) not being able to either get back, or defend when they do get back.

That leads me to my main point. We must play a 4-4-2 now, until Sheridan comes back. We must play with wingers, and fullbacks to shore up the defence. Look at the goals from Rotherham - 2 crosses for the first two (no-one around on either the crosser or the scorer) and then for the 3rd it was a case of down the wing, then cut inside and get a shot in past incapable defenders and Kelly.

In a 4-4-2, Adams and Holt can concentrate on their better assets, getting forward to the by-line and then cutting it back to a waiting attack and a supporting midfield. They won't have to worry about defending as much and the goals will come.

As it is, when we get forward, we constantly try to put the ball into a box where there is nobody to score. We need to change it about. Once Sheridan is back and he can sit in that hole in front of the defence, then could we be confident enough to go back to a 3-5-2.

Anyway, good luck to Whitehall...I hope he proves the Latics wrong and that he and Chester come back up into the football league. I think it is a bad move, shame on the Latics!

Cheers. Ross. Billy from Ireland writes .... Dear Gary,

First of all, The e-zine is great. Its good to be kept up to date even if  the news is almost always bad news.

Here's a joke you may want to put on your e-zine to cheer up all the depressed Latics supporters...

How do you make a Manchester United supporter drink?

You put one in a liquidiser.

Cheers... Billy Scanlan, The west of Irelands Latics supporter.