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The Unofficial Daily On-line e-zine for  248 Oldham Athletic Supporters Worldwide
 
Today's Edition for
 
    12th February 2002 
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 Oldham Evening Chronicle (www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk) Allott considers Saltergate switch MARK ALLOTT has a week to make up his mind after being offered a permanent transfer to Chesterfield. The striker's loan spell runs out soon and a contract is on the table at Athletic's second division rivals. Allott joined Chesterfield almost two months ago after the Boundary Park management told him he could leave. The move has worked out well for both the player and his new club, and he could now follow ex-Athletic team-mate Mark Innes in signing a deal. Allott (23) made a flying start at Saltergate, where manager Dave Rushbury was keen to snap him up at the end of his initial month. But the Middleton-born forward, who started this season as a first-choice Athletic player, asked for more time to think it over. In the meantime, his loan spell was extended and he immediately played a blinder against Athletic, scoring once and setting up two more as Chesterfield triumphed 4-2. It would be a surprise if Allott rejected the move as he had been taking flak from the Boundary Park fans before leaving and, if he did choose to return, would struggle to displace Carlo Corazzin, Allan Smart and ex-Chesterfield man David Reeves. Meanwhile, fellow forward Craig Dudley has admitted his days at Athletic could be numbered. Dudley, who was one of 13 fringe players made available by Mick Wadsworth, is currently on loan at Scunthorpe. The 22-year-old wants to play first-team football, which he is doing at Glanford Park, and he believes Scunthorpe can reach the third division play-offs. Despite leaving less than a fortnight ago, Dudley already says he would consider making the loan spell full-time. Athletic may demand a transfer fee for both he and Allott. Veteran midfielder John Sheridan is hopeful of regaining fitness before the vital trip to fourth-placed Bristol City on Saturday. Sheridan, who was forced off during the first half against Brighton, has missed training so far this week to rest his knee.Rachubka prepares a reluctant farewell PAUL RACHUBKA admits he will miss Boundary Park when his loan spell from Manchester United ends this month. The England Youth international would love to help Athletic into the play-offs after taking a lead role in their promotion push. Rachubka has relished the heat of competition, a welcome change from playing in front of a few hundred in United's reserves or one man and his dog for the Academy side. He has kept eight clean sheets in 14 games for Athletic but, unless there is a surprise full-time transfer, will have to leave when his three months run out on February 23. Rachubka said: "It would be great to stay around because at the moment it feels like we are capable of achieving something. "It's out of my control, though, and the rules mean I have no choice about staying or going. "Playing first-team football is great because there's something to go for and you have some kind of control or influence over the team's future. "I've never experienced that before and I've really enjoyed the fact every game means so much, especially after beating Brighton on Saturday. "I'm a Manchester United player, but I'm fully committed to this club because that's the only way I can operate. "It shows up in your form otherwise and I want to keep helping the rest of the team into that vital play-off place." Rachubka (20) has made two senior appearances for United, but his position in the club's long pecking order is unclear. Fabien Barthez and Roy Carroll are established at one and two, but there is also Raimond van der Gouw (who is 38 and out of contract this summer), Nick Culkin (on loan at Scottish club Livingston) and, coming up fast on the rails, highly-rated teenager Ben Williams. Rachubka said: "I honestly don't know what my situation is and, as I'm not with United at the moment, I'm not thinking about all the ifs, buts and maybes. "I watch them on TV, but only like anyone else would - all my attention is focused on the game at Bristol City on Saturday. "Coming here was a chance to gain experience and prove I could play at the next level up from the reserves. "Getting into United's first team would obviously be the next step from there, but it's a big leap and this makes it more gradual. "I've been learning all the time by facing different situations at different times - things you can't pick up in training but which have a big effect. "Decision-making is probably the biggest area where I've improved. But there's also keeping concentration when you aren't busy, like on Saturday when I had virtually nothing to do until Brighton had a chance in the second half." American-born Rachubka, a broadly-built 6ft 1in, has kept Gary Kelly out of the side since being signed when the veteran was injured. Kelly is likely to resume duties in four games' time, although Athletic may sign another 'keeper on loan until David Miskelly returns. Rachubka's time at Boundary Park has seen a rise from 13th to seventh and he has done enough to suggest that cherished United number-one spot is within his compass. The potential and calm influence will be missed, especially as three of Athletic's current defence - Chris Armstrong, David Beharall and Julien Baudet - have played most of their games with Rachubka behind them. He does, however, plan to hand a sound rearguard back to Kelly, adding: "Iain Dowie has worked a lot on the defence and we are looking solid at the moment. "We are trying to communicate, work as a unit and stay 100-per-cent focused - the split-second you switch off is the time you'll concede a goal. "That's what he's saying when he gets the defence together before and after games, just that we need to focus and concentrate right through the 90 minutes. "Communicating with Julien is fine because he speaks good English. It's when the Geordies (Armstrong and Beharall) try speaking to him that we get problems!" 
Luckless Miskelly misses NI call-up INJURY has robbed David Miskelly of his first call-up to Northern Ireland's senior squad. The 22-year-old goalkeeper was wanted as a replacement for Manchester United star Roy Carroll, but he is still recovering from a shoulder operation. Northern Ireland are away to Poland in a friendly this week and Carroll - who was Miskelly's rival at under-21 levvel - pulled out with a back problem. Obviously unaware of Miskelly's injury, manager Sammy McIlroy spent Sunday night trying to contact him about joining the flight from Heathrow. McIlroy said: "He did all right last year with the under-21s and we need some cover for the bench. "I had thought about bringing in Alan Fettis." said McIlroy. "But York have a six-pointer on Tuesday and I thought it was best to leave him." Ards-born Miskelly has several age-group caps and, despite a lack of league experience, is clearly seen as having international potential. He would have been a substitute instead of Carroll, but the job now goes to Sunderland 'keeper Michael Ingham. It is a desperately unlucky blow for Miskelly, who faces up to two more months on the sidelines. Called up for his first league game of the season in November, he lasted only 71 minutes against Stoke before badly dislocating his shoulder. 
 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 
Latics Trial Old Trafford Youngster

Latics will field a youngster from Manchester Utd as well as Argentinian Cristian Colusso in tomorrow night's Reserve Team game at Boundary Park against Burnley - kick off 7 pm. The youngster in questionn is 18 year old Academy player Steven Clegg who is to be released by the Reds at the end of the season. Clegg, who lives in Ashton-under-Lyne, has been an ever-present in the United Academy side this season, which currently tops their Division.Latics And The Revolution Forge Links

Oldham's radio station, The Revolution, is the latest media company to team up with Oldham Athletic. After meetings between Club officials and the station's management it was agreed that the two organisations should be closer.  Consequently, the radio station has agreed to help promote the Club on air with competitions to win tickets and merchandise. They have also given Latics a major boost by sponsoring Latics's rapidly expanding club for 7 to 16 year olds - The Boundary Blues. As part of the tie-up The Revolution has promised to come to the ground and get involved in some of Latics half time activities.  The station have said they will send breakfast presenter Chris Gregg to Boundary Park on a couple of occasions during the remainder of the season and get him to run events at half time.  The first of which will be the promotion clash versus Tranmere Rovers at Boundary Park on the evening of Tuesday 19th February. His first task will be to referee a challenge between some of Latics Boundary Blues members and some youngsters from Tranmere Rovers. Commenting Chris Gregg said: "I am delighted that we are getting involved more with the Club. As a Latics fan I can't wait to get on the pitch and encourage the fans to do their bit. We are hoping to bring a bit more fun to the ground and get the message to our listeners that Boundary Park is a great place to be." Sean Jarvis, Marketing and PR Manager at the Club said: "Forging links with Oldham's media is crucial. Their support for the Boundary Blues and the Club will only go to help create more fans for the future and a cracking atmosphere at matches."

 TEAMtalk (www.teamtalk.co.uk) Eyres offered new deal 
Oldham have offered veteran striker David Eyres a 12-month extension to his contract which will keep him out Boundary Park until he is 39. Eyres has rolled back the years this season and is the club's top scorer with 12 goals. He played a major part in Saturday's 2-0 win over promotion rivals Brighton, setting up the first goal and scoring the second. Eyres, who will be 38 later this month, was signed by former boss Andy Ritchie early last season. He has been one of The Latics' most consistent performers in this campaign and has played in 37 league and cup games so far. Boss Mick Wadsworth said: "He has been a terrific player for me and there is plenty more life in him yet. He is one of those who just defies the years." Eyres - The Latics' oldest player - is expected to sign the new deal later this week. 
Colusso set for reserves action New signing Cristian Colusso will line up for the reserves when they face Burnley in the Avon Insurance League at Boundary Park tomorrow night. The 24-year-old Argentinian midfielder made his debut for the senior side against Brighton on Saturday when he came off the subs' bench four minutes from the end. But boss Mick Wadsworth is keen for him to get as much match experience as possible and said: "He needs to get some match action under his belt." Calusso, who is on loan until the end of the season, has been pencilled in for at least an hour and could play the full 90 minutes. 
Released duo move on Striker Ryan Sugden and midfielder Phil Salt have joined non-league strugglers Scarborough after being released by Oldham. They signed on Monday and will make their debuts for the Conference side at Dover Athletic on Saturday. The pair will team up with two former Latics players, defenders Mark Hotte and Paul Shepherd, and face an end-of-season battle to escape relegation. Sugden and Salt, whose Boundary Park contracts were up in the summer, had them cancelled by mutual consent last week. Matthews out of Latics test 
Lee Matthews has already been ruled out of Saturday's Second Division home game with Oldham Athletic as his run of ankle injury misery continues. It will be the seventh match missed by the striker since his derby double in the 3-0 LDV Vans Trophy win over Bristol Rovers at Ashton Gate. Matthews has been plagued by ankle trouble during his time with City and it may be that he will require surgery before the problem can be cleared up. Danny Wilson is still hoping rest will prove a cure, at least until the end of the season, but he shares Matthews's frustration over the latest lay-off. Wilson said: "We can't seem to keep Lee fit. After a break he needs games to regain full match fitness and by the time he gets it back he has picked up some new knock. "It's very disappointing for all concerned, but he won't be ready for the Oldham game." Matthews is desperate for a chance to form a strike partnership with best mate Lee Peacock. And, with Tony Thorpe still on the transfer list, the opportunity would be there. Teenager Marvin Brown replaced the injured Thorpe at Wycombe last Saturday, while Matthews could only look on enviously. The £70,000 signing from Leeds United last March has yet to enjoy the sort of injury-free run that would give him a chance to forge a regular first-team place. 
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.