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The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for  246 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    5th February 2002 
The logo's are used with the permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club
 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Colusso’s heart set on place in big-time ATHLETIC may be in a position to sign Argentinian Cristian Colusso on a permanent basis if they can clinch promotion this season. Colusso, who is rated at £2million, wants to follow a number of his fellow countrymen in playing in England. “I would like to play football here in the first division or Premier League,” he said in broken English. For a player who has represented Argentina at under-20 and under-23 level, it is hard to imagine Colusso settling for a lengthy spell in the second division. But if Athletic were to win promotion this season it would put a completely different complexion on the situation. There is also the question of the transfer fee. If Colusso’s club, Rosario Central, hold out for a three million-dollar fee, would Athletic chairman Chris Moore be prepared to splash out if Athletic remained in the second division? That is assuming, of course, that Colusso wanted to stay at Boundary Park. If Athletic attained first division status then the club’s finances would be much stronger and they would be in a better position to justify such an outlay. Mr Moore has long maintained the importance of Athletic getting back into the first division as soon as possible. And it is a measure of the club’s ambition that they have recruited a player of such a high calibre - Colusso has played 140 matches at the higghest level in Argentina. Colusso, a versatile player who can operate anywhere on the left, has settled well. The loan move comes after eight years with Rosario Central, a club the player describes as one of the top six or seven in Argentina. Colusso did spend five months with Spanish side Seville in 1998, playing 14 games for them and obtaining a European passport. Derby County’s Horatio Carbonari is a former team-mate at Rosario Central, while others have also moved to Europe, primarily to Spain. Colusso, who helped Argentina finish runners-up to Brazil in the South America under-20 championships in 1995, is an admirer of English football. He says the English game is screened comprehensively in his home land, especially Manchester United’s Premiership matches because of the presence of Juan Sebastian Veron at Old Trafford. As for Colusso’s hero, he nominates Argentinian legend Diego Maradona, although he insists he only admires his on-the-field exploits. Wadsworth’s sin-bin solution 
MICK Wadsworth fears that the art of tackling is in danger of being lost. Athletic’s head coach is worried that football could eventually become a non-contact sport like basketball. He believes that tackling is an important facet of the game and that measures should be taken to preserve it. He even advocates the introduction of sin bins which are used in other sports as a means of reducing the growing number of dismissals which can ruin the game as a spectacle. Said Wadsworth: “We had Dean Holden booked against Wycombe after he took the ball with a superb tackle from the side. “But he was booked for making a tackle with ‘excessive force’. That would apply to every challenge Tommy Smith or Dave Mackay made. “I worry that tackling it already going out of the game, which is to its detriment. “Players know that if they make a mistake it is easy to get booked and then they are treading on thin ice.” Wadsworth pointed out that if tackling is to continue, then it is inevitable that some challenges will be mistimed. He believes referees need to show more tolerance in recognising the difference between a mistimed tackle and one which is nasty or malicious. Added Wadsworth: “Tackling is a skill and there will be mistakes, but every wrong one should not constitute a caution. “It is too easy to be sent off and I think referees should be working harder to keep players on the pitch. “I think a little more tolerance and leniency should be shown and every effort made to have 11 against 11 wherever possible. “I will never condone bad behaviour, foul or violent play - and players must also play their part - but I think a distinction needs to be drawn between that and a mistimed challenge. “If I go to a game I don’t want to see 11 against 10 or nine against 10. If I travelled to Arsenal and Thierry Henry was sent off after five minutes I would be disappointed, having paid all that money to watch him play.” It is because of the increasing number of dismissals that Wadsworth advocates the introduction of sin bins. He said: “I think there is a need for a half-way house as an alternative. “If a player was sin binned for 10 minutes he would be penalised, but at least the team would have a chance of getting their man back on the pitch. “We had Darren Sheridan sent off early on against Blackpool recently. I am not saying whether he deserved to be sent off, but his sending-off had dramatic consequences. I feel a time penalty might be fairer than the current system.” Bring on the big guns MICK Wadsworth is in confident mood as Athletic begin a spell which could make or break their bid for promotion. Four of Athletic’s next five matches are against teams challenging for either a top-two spot or play-off place. “Man for man I fancy our chances against anybody in this division,” declared Athletic’s head coach. “We have some big, big games starting with Brighton on Saturday and with Bristol City and Tranmere after that. “If we take points, they are off teams from around us or possibly above us in the table, so they will be vital”. Wadsworth is relishing the prospects of pitting his wits against some of the division’s top teams. He was pleased with displays against the likes of Wycombe, Cardiff and Wigan early in his reign at Boundary Park, even though Athletic beat only Wycombe. The last of those matches was almost two months ago and in the intervening period Wadsworth believes his team has become significantly stronger. Matty Appleby, David Reeves and Allan Smart have all joined the playing staff, along with the most recent addition, Cristian Colusso. Athletic will be keen to avenge the 3-0 defeat suffered at Brighton’s Withdean Stadium in October. Brighton, who are in second place, are on course for back to back promotions with 25-goal Bobby Zamora pivotal to the team’s success. How much longer Brighton can hold on to the sought-after Zamora remains to be seen, but he will be leading the front line on Saturday. Athletic then travel to fourth-placed Bristol City bidding to prevent the Robins from completing a league double after their 1-0 win at Boundary Park in October. After that, Tranmere visit Boundary Park for a rearranged league match which will be vital to both teams’ push for promotion. After an horrendous start to the season, Tranmere have rocketed up the table and are now only two points adrift of Athletic. Athletic drew 2-2 at Prenton Park early in the season when the Wirral team were struggling. The only non promotion-chasing outfit to be played during the next few weeks are Peterborough, who are in danger of being sucked into the relegation quagmire. Posh, who so nearly knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup, have been unable to reproduce that form in the league and find themselves only seven points clear of the bottom four. Athletic finish February with the visit of Brentford to Boundary Park. The Bees are currently one place above Athletic. Sheridan back in action DARREN Sheridan returns to action for Athletic tonight, even though he is still serving a suspension. The combative player has benefited from a change of rule this season which means bans exclude reserve-team fixtures. Sheridan, who has served three of a five-match ban, gets the chance to get some much needed match practice at home to Bury in the Manchester Senior Cup (7pm). It will, in fact, be Sheridan’s first competitive action for almost a month as he hurt his ankle at Chesterfield a week before his suspension took effect. Sheridan will take his place in a side likely to contain Gary Kelly, Dean Holden, Danny Boshell, Ryan Sugden, John Eyre and Matthew Tipton. Head coach Mick Wadsworth had intended to play Stuart Balmer, who lost his starting spot at Notts County on Saturday. But the central defender has been struck down by a bug which has caused him to be sick. Whether Argentinian Cristian Colusso makes his bow will hinge on the player receiving international clearance following his extended loan signing from Rosario Central. 
 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 Reserves Result

Latics Reserves impressed tonight with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bury. Their first in the Manchester Senior Cup. As early as three minutes Latics took the lead through a Paul Rickers goal. Then a brace by Ryan Sugden on seven minutes and just before the half hour meant that the home side went into the break three up. The second didn't yield as many goals for the Boundary Park boys, however they extended their lead to four with a Matthew Tipton strike on the 85th minute. Ensuring that Latics kept a clean sheet and gave the scoreline an impressive feel was Gary Kelly who denied Bury a late consolation goal when he saved a penalty from Marc Whiteman. Turn It Up..

As part of the promotion clash between Latics and Brighton on Saturday (9th February) at Boundary Park, the Club is urging supporters to literally ‘turn up the volume’.
Latics have organised for a band to appear before kick off and play some uplifting anthems. In the lead up to the game, Club Mascot, Chaddy the Owl will also be giving out free footballs, England posters and T-shirts to the crowd as well as moving from his usual spot in the ITV Stand to the Seton Stand. And, to top the atmosphere the PA system will be ‘booming’ out some football anthems as well as a re run of the commentary of Latics’ goals against Notts County. Trumpeters will also greet the players as they run onto the pitch in time for kick off. Commenting Marketing and PR Manager Sean Jarvis said: "The game is a mouth-watering fixture as Latics look to get one over our promotion chasing rivals. In this instance our fans can really help. The more vocal they are the better the atmosphere. Our lads appreciate the support."

Appleby Talks

The Latics have opened talks with Matty Appleby's agent today about a permanent move to Boundary Park.  Appleby who joined on a one month loan deal has done well since his arrival at the Club. His loan spell will end on February 16th, but Mick Wadsworth is happy to make the loan move permanent. 

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Colusso debut unlikely It looks like international clearance for Cristian Colusso is not going to arrive in time for him to play in tonight's reserve game against Bury. The Latics had hoped to introduce the Argentinian ace to English football in tonight's Manchester Senior Cup tie against The Shakers at Boundary Park. Oldham officials faxed the English FA on Thursday last week and they, in turn, got in touch with their Argentina counterparts. Since then, however, there have been no developments. Meanwhile, striker Allan Smart, who had to pull out of the squad for Saturday's game at Notts County after his wife went into labour, is set for a run-out tonight. Matthew Tipton, who was brought onto the bench as a late replacement, is also set to feature, as are the other substitutes from the game at Meadow Lane, namely Lee Duxbury, Stuart Balmer, Dean Holden and Gary Kelly. Tonight's game kicks off at 7pm. 
Boss waxes lyrical on Colusso 
Mick Wadsworth is under no doubt that The Latics have a quality player on board in loan signing Cristian Colusso. Wadsworth said: "Cristian is an exciting player and he has played at a higher level than most of our players, with the exception of John Sheridan. "He is an artist rather than an artisan and he is also a very humble person." Colusso has worn the number 10 shirt at international level for the Argentina under-23 and under-20 sides - just like his hero Maradona. That shirt number has special significance in the South American country. Wadsworth explained: "It means he is the player-maker, the top dog." Colusso, meanwhile, has revealed his ambition to play at the highest level. He said: "I am happy to be here and I like what I have seen of Oldham. My ambition is to play in the First Division and then the Premiership. "I know about English football because there is a lot of it on television back home and I am looking forward to playing." 
Boss' midfielder hint Mick Wadsworth has hinted that he would be keen to make on-loan Barnsley midfielder Matty Appleby's move to Oldham permanent. The 29-year-old, who is being allowed to leave The Tykes on a free transfer, has done well so far during his time at Boundary Park. Appleby's loan spell is up on February 16 and Wadsworth said: "He is a very talented player and the sort we need for a better squad." Oldham eye permanent Appleby switch Oldham boss Mick Wadsworth has hinted that he would be keen to make on-loan Barnsley midfielder Matty Appleby's move a permanent one. The 29-year-old, who is being allowed to leave The Tykes on a free transfer or for a nominal fee, has done well so far during his time at Boundary Park. Appleby's loan spell is up on February 16 and Wadsworth said: "He is a very talented player and the sort we need for a better squad." Appleby has made several appearances for the Second Division club and is now waiting to learn whether he has done enough to earn a contract offer, although Wadsworth's comments suggest he has. Steve Parkin has made it clear that Appleby is surplus to requirements at Oakwell as he continues his clear-out. Parkin inherited a sizeable squad from Nigel Spackman and was told by chairman John Dennis that a certain amount of pruning was required. Appleby will be out of contract in the summer and available for free, making a move for a nominal fee appealing to The Tykes. 
 Sporting Life Tuesday Review (www.sportinglife.com) BRIGHTON CLOSE THE GAP

Brighton picked up a 1-0 win at home to Tranmere taking them to within four points of top-of-the-table Reading with a game in hand. Gary Hart's goal in the 61st minute settled the contest.

Bristol City's 2-0 home success over Queens Park Rangers made sure they lost no ground to Peter Taylor's Seagulls. Scott Murray (9) and striker Tony Thorpe on the stroke of half-time made sure of the points for the Robins.

Cardiff picked up three points via a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth, which took them up to the fringes of the promotion race. Their goals came from Graham Kavanagh and Robert Earnshaw in the first half and Willie Boland shortly after the break. Derek McInnes got one back for the Cherries in the 73rd minute.

It was honours even in mid-table between Peterborough and Chesterfield at London Road, where Jamie Burt put the visitors ahead at the end of the first half only for Howard Forinton to level up for Posh three minutes after the interval.

A 54th-minute winner from Chris Hay took Huddersfield up into a promotion spot thanks to a 1-0 win at Swindon.
 
 
Team P Home Away Pts Goal
Diff
W D L F A W D L F A
Reading  31 10 2 4 27 13 9 3 3 21 12 62 23
Brighton  30 11 2 1 26 11 5 8 3 16 19 58 12
Bristol City  31 9 4 3 26 15 7 3 5 23 17 55 17
Stoke  31 9 4 2 26 10 6 5 5 19 21 54 14
Huddersfield  31 9 4 3 25 15 5 6 4 20 17 52 13
Brentford  30 10 3 1 35 9 4 4 8 18 24 49 20
Oldham  31 9 4 2 31 13 4 6 6 24 27 49 15
QPR  32 7 7 2 26 14 6 2 8 17 21 48 8
Tranmere  29 8 6 2 32 13 5 2 6 15 22 47 12
Cardiff  30 6 6 3 24 19 6 5 4 20 15 47 10
Wycombe  29 9 4 1 28 11 2 6 7 14 25 43 6
Swindon  32 7 4 5 18 17 4 5 7 18 25 42 -6
Port Vale  31 8 4 4 27 18 3 3 9 12 26 40 -5
Colchester  32 8 3 5 27 21 3 4 9 21 33 40 -6
Wigan  31 4 5 7 21 19 5 6 4 21 19 38 4
Blackpool  30 5 7 3 21 20 4 3 8 16 28 37 -11
Peterborough  30 7 3 5 31 18 3 3 9 10 22 36 1
Chesterfield  29 6 1 7 25 24 3 8 4 13 15 36 -1
Bournemouth  31 7 2 6 23 20 1 7 8 16 29 33 -10
Bury  31 4 6 6 17 20 4 2 9 13 29 32 -19
Wrexham  32 4 5 7 18 25 3 2 11 20 43 28 -30
Northampton  30 4 2 9 13 24 4 1 10 19 29 27 -21
Notts County  31 3 5 7 16 24 3 3 10 19 31 26 -20
Cambridge Utd  29 5 6 4 19 21 0 2 12 9 33 23 -26

Stats Football (www.statsfootball.co.uk)

Player stats
Oldham
 
League Appearances
        Substitutions     League points  
  Mins       Not     From Avg Avg  
  Age used Starts     On Off used     starts in out Influence  
34   Julian Baudet (D) 23 311 3     5 1 2     9 3.00 1.43 +1.57  
9   David Reeves (F) 34 540 6     - - -     15 2.50 1.36 +1.14  
31   Tony Carss (M) 25 499 5     2 - -     11 2.20 1.46 +0.74  
30   Paul Murray (M) 25 889 9     1 1 -     19 2.11 1.36 +0.75  
37   Paul Rachubka (G) 20 1080 12     - - -     23 1.92 1.37 +0.55  
8   John Sheridan (M) 37 1940 23     3 12 2     44 1.91 0.63 +1.29  
32   David Beharall (D) 22 1166 13     - 1 -     24 1.85 1.39 +0.46  
35   Allan Smart (F) 27 394 5     1 3 -     9 1.80 1.54 +0.26  
12   Mark Allott (F) 23 829 9     6 5 2     16 1.78 1.50 +0.28  
11   Matty Appleby (D) 29 325 4     1 2 -     7 1.75 1.56 +0.19  
21   Barry Prenderville (D) 25 974 10     2 2 1     17 1.70 1.52 +0.18  
33   Chris Armstrong (D) 19 1461 16     1 - -     27 1.69 1.47 +0.22  
7   Paul Rickers (M) 26 1219 13     7 5 3     22 1.69 1.50 +0.19  
3   Darren Sheridan (M) 34 1915 22     - 3 1     36 1.64 1.44 +0.19  
10   John Eyre (F) 27 1000 11     9 9 1     18 1.64 1.55 +0.09  
2   Scott McNiven (D) 23 2062 23     2 1 5     36 1.57 1.63 -0.06  
28   David Eyres (M) 37 2335 26     5 4 -     38 1.46 2.20 -0.74  
5   Stuart Balmer (D) 32 2517 28     1 2 1     40 1.43 3.00 -1.57  
6   Lee Duxbury (M) 32 2486 28     3 6 -     40 1.43 3.00 -1.57  
1   Gary Kelly (G) 35 1640 18     1 - 4     25 1.39 1.85 -0.46  
19   Carlo Corazzin (F) 30 1183 13     5 8 2     17 1.31 1.78 -0.47  
4   Shaun Garnett (D) 32 262 4     4 2 -     5 1.25 1.63 -0.38  
24   Dean Holden (D) 22 1204 14     1 3 4     17 1.21 1.88 -0.67  
9   Matthew Tipton (F) 21 1035 11     11 8 5     13 1.18 1.80 -0.62  
17   Craig Dudley (F) 22 597 6     3 1 1     7 1.17 1.68 -0.51  
13   David Miskelly (G) 22 70 1     - 1 16     1 1.00 1.60 -0.60  
26   Marc Richards (M) 19 247 3     2 2 -     2 0.67 1.68 -1.01  
18   Daniel Boshell (M) 20 151 2     2 2 3     1 0.50 1.66 -1.16  
25   Wayne Gill (M) 26 210 3     - 2 -     0 0.00 1.75 -1.75  
0   Mark Innes (M) 23 131 -     5 - 5     - - 1.58 -  
15   Lee Hardy (M) 20 10 -     1 - 4     - - 1.58 -  
23   Will Haining - 8 -     2 - -     - - 1.58 -  
20   Mark Hotte (M) 23 - -     - - 6     - - 1.58 -  
23   Paul Shepherd (F) 24 - -     - - 1     - - 1.58 -  
 

 
League Scorers
    Mins/   Hat First 90th  
    Goals Pens Goal Home Away Tricks scorer min  
  Carlo Corazzin 7 1 169 3 4 - - 3  
  David Reeves 3 1 180 1 2 - 1 -  
  John Eyre 5 - 200 3 2 - 1 -  
  Matthew Tipton 5 1 207 4 1 - 3 1  
  Mark Allott 4 - 207 2 2 - 3 1  
  Paul Murray 3 - 296 1 2 - 2 -  
  Matty Appleby 1 - 325 - 1 - - -  
  David Eyres 6 - 389 2 4 - 2 -  
  Stuart Balmer 5 - 503 3 2 - 2 -  
  Craig Dudley 1 - 597 1 - - 1 -  
  Paul Rickers 2 - 609 1 1 - 1 -  
  Lee Duxbury 3 - 828 3 - - 1 -  
  Darren Sheridan 2 - 957 1 1 - 2 -  
  John Sheridan 2 1 970 1 1 - 1 -  
  David Beharall 1 - 1166 1 - - - -  
 

 
League Cards
    Yellow Red Mins lost Mins per card  
  John Sheridan - 1 19 1940  
  Gary Kelly 1 -   1640  
  Lee Duxbury 2 -   1243  
  Carlo Corazzin 1 -   1183  
  Mark Allott 1 -   829  
  David Eyres 3 -   778  
  Chris Armstrong 2 -   730  
  Stuart Balmer 4 -   629  
  Paul Rickers 2 -   609  
  John Eyre 2 -   500  
  Barry Prenderville 2 -   487  
  Paul Murray 2 -   444  
  Scott McNiven 5 -   412  
  Matthew Tipton 3 -   345  
  Darren Sheridan 6 -   319  
  Julian Baudet 1 -   311  
  Dean Holden 4 -   301  
  Shaun Garnett 1 -   262  
  Marc Richards 1 -   247  
  Allan Smart 2 -   197  
  Daniel Boshell 1 -   151  
 
League Record  
Oldham
  Home Opponents Away Agg Pts  
  2-1 Blackpool 2-0 4-1 6/6  
  3-3 Bournemouth 2-3 5-6 1/6  
  26 Feb Brentford 2-2 2-2 1/3  
  9 Feb Brighton 0-3 0-3 0/3  
  0-1 Bristol City 16 Feb 0-1 0/3  
  4-0 Bury 5 Mar 4-0 3/3  
  30 Mar Cambridge 1-1 1-1 1/3  
  16 Mar Cardiff 1-3 1-3 0/3  
  1-1 Chesterfield 2-4 3-5 1/6  
  2 Mar Colchester 1-2 1-2 0/3  
  1-1 Huddersfield 1 Apr 1-1 1/3  
  4-2 Northampton 1-0 5-2 6/6  
  4-1 Notts County 2-0 6-1 6/6  
  2-0 Peterborough 23 Feb 2-0 3/3  
  2-0 Port Vale 2-3 4-3 3/6  
  20 Apr QPR 1-1 1-1 1/3  
  0-1 Reading 23 Mar 0-1 0/3  
  6 Apr Stoke 0-0 0-0 1/3  
  2-0 Swindon 2-0 4-0 6/6  
  19 Feb Tranmere 2-2 2-2 1/3  
  1-1 Wigan 9 Mar 1-1 1/3  
  3-1 Wrexham 3-3 6-4 4/6  
  2-0 Wycombe 13 Apr 2-0 3/3

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.The 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.