Welcome to today's issue of 
 
The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for  250 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    1st March 2002 
The logo's are used with the permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club
 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Latics pull out of Howe deal ATHLETIC pulled the plug on their move for Eddie Howe last night because of the player’s wage demands. A £500,000 bid had been accepted by Bournemouth, but the deal went no further after personal terms were discussed. Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “We looked at the package as a whole – the transfer fee and the player’s requirements – and, after considering all aspects, we decided not to go ahead.” Athletic had agreed to pay the asking price for Bournemouth’s captain and centre-half, but it appears Howe priced himself out of a move to Boundary Park. The ex-England under-21 international is now in talks with first-division strugglers Portsmouth. Athletic’s decision means they have failed to land either of their targets this week, despite agreeing fees of £500,000 for Howe and £300,000 for goalkeeper Paul Rachubka. With only 10 league games to go, coach Mick Wadsworth will continue his search for new talent – he has players in mind and plenty of money to spend. The transfer deadline is less than a month away and it will be a major surprise if Athletic don’t strengthen their squad. The most pressing concern, however, is a match which could lift them back into division two’s play-off zone. They are at home to Colchester tomorrow and aiming to follow up the fine 3-2 win against Brentford in midweek. Julien Baudet, who was carried off on Tuesday night, was due to miss out anyway with a one-match suspension. Tests showed the Frenchman suffered severe bruising to his ankle rather than any serious damage, so he should make a quick recovery. On-loan defender David Beharall is set to return after missing the last three games with a knee injury. Athletic’s squad is otherwise unchanged, while mid-table Colchester will also field a similar team after going unbeaten for five games. ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, Clegg, Beharall, Balmer, Armstrong, Murray, Appleby, Colusso, Eyres, Smart, Corazzin, McNiven, Holden, D Sheridan, Rickers, Reeves. COLCHESTER (from): Brown, Duguid, White, Fitzgerald, Keith, Stockwell, Izzet, Pinault, Barrett, McGleish, Rapley, Williamson, R Johnson, Tano, Bowry, Coote, Morgan. 
U’s plot double trouble MICK WADSWORTH’S brief spell as an Essex boy will add guaranteed spice to tomorrow’s match at Boundary Park. Wadsworth, who is aiming to extend his unbeaten home league run with Athletic, was in charge of Colchester for only seven months. The coach arrived at Layer Road in January 1999, helping Colchester beat the drop in their first year after promotion from division three. By August, he had gone. The Yorkshireman returned north to Newcastle to take over as Bobby Robson’s right-hand man. Two-and-half-years down the line, Wadsworth is in charge of an Athletic side in commanding form at Boundary Park — they have taken 21 points out of 27 during his reign. And tomorrow he will lock horns with Steve Whitton, who was promoted from the assistant manager’s post when Wadsworth opted to leave. Colchester’s playing staff is very different these days, but the modest scale of their operation remains the same. The U’s still exist on low gates and strictly limited funds. And they are still surviving in division two without too many problems. In a season which has seen Athletic stroll around the transfer market with a couple of million quid to spend, Colchester have also splashed their cash. The difference is, when they equalled the club record and signed Norwich striker Adrian Coote, the fee was £50,000. That doesn’t mean they will be easy meat, however, as a five-match unbeaten run has left Whitton’s men comfortably in mid-table. An alert has already been sounded this season as they ended Athletic’s best start for several years and knocked them off top spot back in September. One thing in Athletic’s favour is the fierce competition raging among their strikers, especially after the midweek defeat of Brentford. Allan Smart, Carlo Corazzin and David Reeves are battling for two places up front, a situation which delights first-team coach Iain Dowie. Smart has hit three goals in two games and Corazzin is in good form despite his penalty miss, so Reeves has dropped out shortly after signing. And Dowie — one of the top scorers in Northern Ireland’s international history — believes the rivalry can only help Athletic’s cause. He said: “It’s very healthy that we can bring quality players off the bench like this, and any forward would enjoy the service we provide. “People might say we’ve looked a bit vulnerable at the back, but there are so many attacking players in the side — not just the strikers but people who bomb on like Colusso, Eyres, Murray and the full-backs — that we’ve got lots of goals in us. “Allan Smart brings a lot of brightness to the club and his two goals (against Brentford) will do his confidence the world of good. “I’ve been impressed with him in training because he has excellent movement and, as you could see, we have players capable of finding those runs. “Carlo was positive enough to grab the ball for our first penalty and then, after the goalkeeper saved it, big enough to say: ‘Okay, Eyresy, you take the next one’. “He had a fantastic game against a big, powerful marker and the one thing you will always get from him is 110 per cent. “David Reeves is the one missing out, but everybody else has come into the rotation system and now it’s his turn.  “He will dig in because he’s a great professional. “He’s also an honest lad and knows his form hasn’t been as good as it might be. But don’t forget the sort of magnificent performance David gave us at Blackpool — when you’ve got somebody on the bench who can play at that level, it’s no wonder the competition is so strong.” 
Don't forget the BBz/Rivals Message Board at http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=939&p=16&forumid=5973BBz Web Site archive is at http://www.oocities.org/laticsgary.geo
 Dave at the Bookies                                     Latics      Draw      Colchester

   BananaBet       8/13       12/5             4/1
   Bet365           4/7       12/5             9/2
   BetClass         3/5        5/2             4/1
   BetDirect        4/7       13/5             4/1
   Betinternet      3/5       12/5             4/1
   Betzone.com      3/5        5/2             4/1
   Blue Square     8/13       12/5             4/1
   Cash Point       1/2       12/5            17/4
   Centrebet       8/11       12/5            16/5
   Expekt           4/6       12/5             7/2
   Ladbrokes.com   8/13       12/5             4/1
   Lion Bets        3/5      23/10            31/8
   NetBetSports     4/6       12/5             7/2
   Nordic Bet      7/10       12/5            25/8
   Paddy Power     8/13       12/5             4/1
   Playit.com      7/10       12/5            10/3
   Sportfanatik     4/6        2/1             3/1
   Sportingbet     8/13       12/5             4/1
   Sports.com       4/6       11/5             9/2
   Stanleybet      8/13       13/5             7/2
   UK Betting       4/7       13/5             4/1 

 Official Oldham Athletic Web Site (www.oldhamathletic.co.uk)Content from the Oldham Athletic Web Site is used with permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club  
SCOUTING MISSION

Chief Scout Ray McHale and Youth Coach Tony Philliskirk went on an important scouting mission this week. They visited the FA base at Lilleshall where the Premier League exit trials for U.18 and U.19 year old boys were taking place. The trials are organised so that the young players who are being released by Premiership Academy clubs take part in organised games watched by a bevy of talent spotters from Football League clubs. Three games took place, so there was an opportunity to see 70 youngsters in action. Ray and Tony will now be assessing their notes on various players that came to notice and a decision will be made whether to approach any of these players. 
Youth Team News

The Latics Youth Team play at Boundary Park on Monday 4th March in a Lancashire FA Youth Cup tie.  The visitors to Boundary Park will be Wigan Youth and the game kicks off at 7pm.  Admission Prices are £3 adults and £2 concessions. Return of the French Ace

Latics' French central defender could be back in action fairly quickly after being stretchered off in Tuesday's victory over Brentford. Julien underwent X-rays on Wednesday morning which revealed no fracture to the ankle, just severe bruising- and the injury is responding well to treatment. Julien is serving an automatic one match suspension which takes in the Colchester game on Saturday but it is hoped that he will return to training early next week and may even be in contention for the Bury game on Tuesday. 

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) One in, one out David Beharall returns to the squad after a knee injury for the visit of Colchester tomorrow while Julien Baudet misses out though suspension. These are the only selection problems for Mick Wadsworth ahead of the game, who has told his players to: "Keep up the good work at home." In their last three games at Boundary Park they have seen off promotion rivals Brighton and Brentford and drawn with play-off chasing Tranmere. But while Colchester have lost half their away games, Wadsworth insisted: "They will get the same respect as anyone else, there are no easy games." The Latics have not been beaten at home in the league since Wadsworth took over four months ago. In his nine games in charge they have taken 21 points out of 27 and it is that form which has put them in sight of the play-offs. Wadsworth added: "We have six games left at our place and we will be going out to win them all and take what we can on our travels. "We do have a tough run-in, but getting into the top six will be down to what we do." Oldham (from): Kelly, Clegg, Beharall, Balmer, Armstrong, Murray, Appleby, Colusso, Eyres, Smart, Corazzin, Reeves, McNiven, D Sheridan, Rickers, Holden. 
Latics eye youngsters Chief scout Ray McHale and youth coach Tony Philliskirk revealed they have been to Lilleshall to run their eye over the stars of the future. McHale and Philliskirk went to view the under-18 and under-19 Premiership exit trials. This is where young players who have been released by the Premiership clubs get to put their talents on show for other clubs to have a look at. During the course of the day there were 3 games played with some 70 players taking part. The two of them will be getting there heads together to discuss any players who stood out, especially with transfer deadline day, on the 28th of this month, looming large.

Howe interest over 
Chief executive Alan Hardy has explained the decision not to buy Eddie Howe, confirming the transfer fee and players demands were too high. The Latics have confirmed they have pulled out of their bid to sign Howe after reviewing their interest in the player. They had had a £400,000 offer rejected for the 24-year old former England under-21 centre back, but The Latics had continued to pursue their man until talks were abruptly called off late on Thursday. It had been expected that Howe would be signed in time to play against Colchester on Saturday. Hardy said: "Having given consideration to the whole deal by looking at the size of the transfer fee and the demands of the player's agent, we have decided not to pursue the matter." Mick Wadsworth will now turn his attentions elsewhere.

Potters game changes 
The Latics game against Stoke City on Saturday April 6th has been made all ticket and the kick off time has been brought forward to 1:00pm. Stoke have the best away following in the Second Division and with both sides going for the play-off's a full house is expected. The Latics officials are also mindful of events at the corresponding fixture last season. More than a thousand Stoke fans were locked out of Boundary Park and police were called to a number of disturbances in the town. To avoid any repeat, club officials have made the changes on police advice. Chief executive Alan Hardy said: "The matter was discussed in great depth before the decisions were made." The Stoke supporters have been allocated the whole of the Rochdale Road stand which has a capacity of 4,600.

Gregory to replace Duguid 
Steve Whitton today confirmed that David Gregory is to take the place of the suspended Karl Duguid for the visit to Oldham on Saturday. Duguid's absence is a blow for the U's but the return of Gregory will give a boost to the team's chances at Boundary Park. Gregory has had an unhappy season, appearing in just 12 league fixtures. He last played for the first team in early November against Bournemouth, but has made steady progress on the comeback trail and has appeared regularly for the second string in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Whitton has given goal shy Scott McGleish his backing ahead of the clash. The striker has not scored for 13 matches and there have been calls for Kevin Raplay to partner Adrian Coote up front but Whitton looks set to stick by the player who he says is still working hard for the team. Gregory replacing Duguid looks like being the only change to the squad from midweek, as the boss keeps faith with the personnel who are unbeaten in five matches. Colchester (probable): Brown, Gregory, White, Fitzgerald, Keith, Barrett, Stockwell, Izzet, Pinault, Coote, Rapley. 

Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at LaticsGary@ntlworld.comor at Boundary Bullet-zine,41 Verney Road,Royton,Oldham,United Kingdom.OL2 6AZ07786 928689Or in the Setons Chaddy end Row R Seats 67 & 68Boundary Bullet-zine Archive can be found at http://www.oocities.org/laticsgary.geo.Boundary Bullet-zine Message Board can be found at http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=939&p=16&forumid=5973The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the Editor.This e-zine is a unofficial publication NOT sanctioned by Oldham Athletic Football Club.The editor will not publish any letters containing bad language.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.