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The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for  250 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    5th March 2002 
The logo's are used with the permission of Oldham Athletic Football Club
 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Eyres ruled out of Derby battle ATHLETIC will be without top scorer David Eyres tonight when they face local rivals Bury at Gigg Lane. The 14-goal marksman has an ankle injury and is forced to miss his first league game of the season. It is a major setback for Athletic as Eyres has been in excellent form during their run into the play-off places. He will be replaced by either Darren Sheridan or Julien Baudet, who has been used in the past as a stand-in midfielder. Eyres was hurt against Colchester on Saturday but shrugged off the problem to score the third goal in a 4-1 win. However severe bruising developed after the game and he couldn’t train yesterday. Athletic hope he will return for the weekend trip to Wigan. The winger’s absence is likely to mean Cristian Colusso moves out wide against the crisis-hit Shakers. Colusso (25) has yet to start an away match since joining on loan from top Argentinian club Rosario Central. The experienced Sheridan missed 10 games recently through injury and suspension, but he would add steel in what is sure to be a hard-fought derby. Baudet, meanwhile, is available after his one-match ban. The Frenchman has made several substitute appearances in midfield and is also vying for a recall in defence. Matty Appleby was today given the all-clear to play after recovering from a dead leg. While the match will help Bury’s financial plight – they have been ordered to raise £400,000 by the end of next week or face extinction – Athletic hope to deepen their neighbours’ relegation worries. ATHLETIC (from): Kelly, Clegg, Beharall, Balmer, Armstrong, Murray, Appleby, Colusso, Smart, Corazzin, D Sheridan, Baudet, Rickers, McNiven, Holden, Reeves. Bury are missing Paul O’Shaughnessy and first-choice goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, both serving suspensions. They also have a long injury list, which includes ex-Athletic defender Steve Redmond, and several players rated doubtful. BURY (from): Garner, Connell, Collins, Nelson, Stuart, Reid, Forrest, Borley, Clegg, Seddon, Newby, Swailes, Murphy, Whiteman, Evans, Preece, Jarrett, Unsworth. Smart in the mood for more glory IN-FORM Allan Smart says his team-mates will kick themselves to Cardiff and back if they don’t reach the play-offs next month. The forthright striker is convinced Athletic have enough talent to stay in the top six, giving them a ticket for the end-of-season lottery. Smart has won promotion with each of his English clubs — Preston, Carlisle and Watford — and is in the mood for more glory. Having been hit by several problems after his move, not least an alleged hotel fracas following a Christmas party, he has scored four goals in the last three games. Smart said: “We should hang our heads in shame if we don’t get into the play-offs. We’ve definitely got the ability to do it. “It’s only a couple of weeks ago that we were looking at the top two and thinking they weren’t out of reach, so it would be very disappointing if we fell away. “I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but the games against mediocre opposition have been when we’ve under-achieved. “We need to keep grinding out results like on Saturday. Sometimes it has to be effort and sheer work rate which get you there, rather than pretty stuff. “All the new faces have to settle in properly yet and picking up points without being 100-per-cent sure of where people are shows how much potential there is. “We are always going to score goals because of the way we play, and it’s nice to be part of an attacking team.” Smart scored in his second game for Athletic, an LDV Vans Trophy tie at Notts County in early December. He had to wait nearly three months before adding another, and the intervening period was fraught with difficulty. The 27-year-old admitted: “I had an indifferent start to my Oldham career, which was due to circumstances off the park. “My wife had a little girl, but we are still living out of a suitcase at the moment and that always makes things difficult. “Moving clubs is stressful in itself, but I also had a suspension, a head injury and an ankle injury. “Along with what happened at Christmas, all those things took their toll and have to be taken into consideration. “I still have a wee bit to go yet and there’s plenty more in the tank because I haven’t played as well as I can. “But I feel a lot happier. Moving clubs gives you baggage to carry around subconsciously, but you relax more as everything settles down. “It’s also nice to get in the side and start scoring again — it was about time I got a few goals. “Scoring in the last couple of games (against Brentford and Colchester) was especially pleasing because it’s the home crowd who judge you. “I didn’t appreciate how ring-rusty I was at first, but I only got eight games for Watford last season because of injury. “I’ve played more in the last few weeks than I did for several months before. I feel like it’s slowly coming back.” Smart, David Reeves, Paul Murray and Mick Wadsworth form Athletic’s Carlisle connection and the Scotsman added: “We must bore the living daylights out of the other lads, but Mick being here had a bearing on me signing. “It helps when you know the manager and he knows you, which I really started to appreciate after going on loan to Stoke this season. “It was the Director of Football John Rudge who took me there — the manager (Gudjon Thordarson) didn’t have a clue who I was. “He didn’t seem to have any faith in me and I was constantly trying to prove what I could do. In the end, I wondered what I was doing there.” Smart also had a loan spell with Hibs this term, but only after a permanent move fell through at the last minute. His fee from Watford was agreed at £450,000 — exactly double the amount Athletic paid a few months later. Smart went on: “I’d had the medical and was just waiting to complete everything when Hibs said they were pulling out. “I don’t think the board wanted to spend all that money but, without being derogatory, I’m actually delighted I didn’t go. “Having spent three months there since, I preferred to stay in England because it’s higher profile and there are more opportunities. “It’s not a matter of standards, but of having that edge. The English second division is more competitive than the Scottish Premier League and I prefer to be in the middle of all that.”
 Dave at the Bookies                                Bury        Draw         Latics

Bet365                      13/8        11/5           11/8
BetClass                    13/8         9/4            5/4
BetDirect                   13/8        11/5           11/8
Betandwin.com          13/8        11/5            5/4
Betinternet                  8/5        11/5            7/5
Betzone.com              9/5         9/4            6/5
Blue Square                7/4         9/4            5/4
Cash Point                 17/10       21/10            6/5
Expekt                       6/4         2/1            6/4
Gamebookers             13/8       23/10          13/10
Ladbrokes.com            7/4        11/5            5/4
Nordic Bet                  6/4       23/10            7/5
OddsAlive                  17/10        11/5           11/8
Olympic Sports          6/4       21/10            7/5
Paddy Power            13/8       23/10          13/10
SportingOdds             7/4         9/4            5/4
Sports.com                 9/5         2/1            7/5
Stanleybet                  6/4        11/5            6/4
Totalbet                     13/8        11/5           11/8
UK Betting                   7/4        12/5            5/4
Unibet                        13/8        11/5           11/8
Wettbüro Schwechat    13/8        11/5            6/5
William Hill                  13/8       23/10          13/10
Yabet                           7/4       23/10         5/4

Sorry everyone I have been ill again for the last couple of days. Back in the swing again though - I hope. Gary.
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
 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 
GOALSCORER OUT

An ankle injury means that one of Latics' top goal scorers is out of the Bury game. David Eyres picked up an ankle injury in a tackle during the game against Colchester on Saturday and will not be ready for the important game at Bury on Tuesday night. He missed training today (Monday) and physio Paul Caton reported that his ankle was black and blue with bruising. However Julien Baudet will come back into the reckoning after sitting out Saturday's game serving a one match ban. He has now recovered from the ankle injury sustained against Brentford. 
Youth Team Result

A second half header from Scott Vernon sent Latics through to the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup. Latics's rising stars had the lion share of the game including hitting the woodwork twice in the second period through Adam Griffin and Brad Lyons. However, keeper Chris Grange pulled off a spectacular save late in the game to ensure Latics reached the final. They now meet Tranmere or Blackpool. The date for the final will be fixed once Latics's opponents are confirmed. 
RACHUBKA TO RETURN

Latics take on Manchester United Reserves in the Manchester Senior Cup at Boundary Park next Monday - kick off 7.00 pm. The game could see Paul Rachubka making an appearance in a Manchester United shirt and facing some of the players that he spent three months with. Admission prices next Monday are £3 adults and £2 concessions. Before that Manchester United game however Latics reserves take on Manchester City in the Manchester Senior Cup this Wednesday at Hyde United's Ewan Fields ground- kick off 7pm. Colchester match report Athletic's impressive home run continued against a hard working Colchester side on Saturday. It was a still and dry day at Boundary Park as the U's travelled North for another important Division 2 clash. Oldham started without injured Frenchman Julien Baudet although David Beharall had the opportunity to re-establish himself in the heart of the Latics defence as he returned to fitness. The Latics made a promising start and on 4 minutes a Clegg cross was flicked on by Carlo Corazzin which reached David Eyres. Eyres tried a shot, although he fired just wide. The Latics continued to press for the opener but came unstuck on 11 minutes when Kemal Izzet volleyed home Scott McGleish's knock down. Colchester heads lifted and they put together a string of good chances with Gary Kelly producing a brilliant full stretch save following a Mickey Stockwell shot. Latics' equalizer came in the 23rd minute when the in-form Allan Smart headed home a David Eyres pin point cross. Smart's third goal in two games was well timed as the Latics settled into the game and continued with some good, fluid movement. As half time approached Latics took the lead with a brilliant 30 yard piledriver from Paul Murray leaving visiting 'keeper Simon Brown absolutely no chance.  Latics played out in some style and ended the half on a high, having attained a useful one-goal advantage. The second half was delayed by ten minutes after one of the linesmen was forced to retire injured, with a pulled muscle. As a result there was an appeal for a qualified referee over the tannoy and fourth official was plucked from the crowd. Latics, attacking the Chaddy End in the second half, continued in the same vein with which they ended the first. Four minutes in and David Eyres fired a free kick just over the Colchester bar following a foul on Carlo Corazzin. Both sides appeared to be cancelling each other out as the game went slightly flat. In a bid to rectify this Latics Head Coach Mick Wadsworth sent on Darren Sheridan who replaced Cristian Colusso.  Seconds later, Paul Murray fired just over following a great run down the left by David Eyres. With 18 minutes left the Latics made another change, David Reeves coming on to replace goal scoring hero Smart.  Latics third goal of the afternoon came on the 78th minute when David Eyres finished from 15 yards following neat work by Darren Sheridan.  As full time approached Latics gave a breather to Captain Matty Appleby, who was replaced by Paul Rickers.  Paul Murray came close to making it four on 84 minutes and Carlo Corazzin did just that on the stroke of full time, with a great finish from the edge of the area following a quick counter attack started by substitute Paul Rickers. 

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Eyre rumour persists Rumours that John Eyre could be about to return to the club on loan appear wide of the mark, although Oldham will listen to offers. It has been suggested in recent weeks that Eyre could return having become surplus to requirements at Oldham. It is understood he is struggling with a slight hernia problem, although he is willing to put off an operation should an opportunity of first team football come his way before the transfer deadline. Neither club have volunteered a comment on the speculation, although it is understood Oldham would not seek a fee for a permanent move, nor would they stand in the way of the former Scunthorpe man leaving on loan. Whether United are interest or whether they could afford to match his current wages remains to be seen. Robson eyes Latics defender 
Bobby Robson is tracking Oldham defender Chris Armstrong after watching him twice in recent weeks as he prepares to strengthen United's defence. The 19-year-old Geordie, brother of former Sunderland midfielder Gordon, has been in top form for The Latics since a £200,000 switch from Bury. And Robson has been alerted to the left-back's potential by his former number two Mick Wadsworth, now manager at Boundary Park. Armstrong, however, is now rated in the £1million bracket, but that would be no problem for a club keen to strengthen what has become a problem position for United this season. 
Contributions and letters should be posted to the BBz/Rivals message boardShould you need to contact me direct please use any of the following: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.This e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express and is best viewed with the HTML (rich) text option enabled.While I take every care to be aware of viruses - I scan each day and update twice daily using McAfee online virus-scan - The Boundary Bullet-zine cannot be held responsible should a virus be passed on.