16th January 2002 

Boundary Park has been more like a film set this week than a football ground as four TV companies have been filming for one thing or another. ITV Sport Channel has been here all week filming because the Oldham v Wrexham game is the highlighted featured match on the ITV Sport Channel on Sunday.  They have been following training and other activities going on this week. MUTV dropped in yesterday to interview Paul Rachubka about his loan spell at Boundary Park.  Paul was reluctant to be interviewed but like a true pro, he gave a great performance.  Granada TV have also been here filming for their Sunday Supplement programme. Finally, Children's BBC have also been here following Alex Carter of 'Hollyoaks' fame.  Alex used to help run the scoreboard on a matchday and is a big Latics fan.

Hotte completes Conference switch Mark Hotte has joined struggling Conference side Scarborough for the rest of the season on a free transfer. The 23-year-old defender was a first-team regular last season but the arrival of new players such as Stuart Balmer, Chris Armstrong and loan duo Dean Holden and David Beharall left him out in the cold. Bradford-born Hotte has not figured in the league during the current campaign though he made a couple of appearances on the bench in the Worthington Cup. He arrived at Boundary Park as a 14-year-old and after making his debut in 1999 he played 74 games for The Latics. Hotte has signed on for Scarborough until the end of the season. He was contracted at Boundary Park until the summer of 2003 but after talks about his future it was decided to cancel the agreement by mutual consent.

Latics' support for Shaun 
Injury-victim Shaun Garnett has been assured of The Latics' support in his recovery from a knee problem - even after his contract expires. The 32-year-old's centre-back's current deal ends in the summer but he is expected to be out for at least a year after suffering cruciate ligament damage in September. But The Latics will help him in his recovery and Mick Wadsworth has said he wants to keep the big defender at Boundary Park until he finds a new club. And after almost 200 appearances for The Latics, Oldham could support the former Tranmere man after his loyal service. 
New date for Rovers clash The game against Tranmere, which had to be called off on New Year's Day, has been rescheduled for next month. It will now be played at Boundary Park on Tuesday, February 19, with a 7.45pm kick-off. But it has meant that another fixture has had to be called off. The Latics reserves were due to host Preston North End's second-string side on that night and a new date has yet to be organised. 

Andy King could be set to go all-out-attack at Oldham tonight. The Town boss is contemplating a change of formation ahead of the trip to Boundary Park after Sunday’s disappointing derby defeat to Bristol City. “I’m going to Oldham with a view to win the game,” said King. “Gurney and Howe are back in the squad, and that gives me options. “I may retain the system we played on Saturday as I was particularly impressed with young Sol Davis. “I might revert to a flat back four, or with Dominic Foley on board, we may go for three up front. The options are there to consider. “Oldham are a decent side and they have improved under Mick Wadsworth ­ who I know is a very good coach from his time at Newcastle and Southampton. “But make no mistake, we intend to win the game, and we’ll use the most attacking formation we can to do so.” The return of Bobby Howe and Andy Gurney may free up Danny Invincible for a more advanced role. Alternatively, Guiliano Grazioli may be recalled to the starting line up to form a three-pronged attack with Eric Sabin and new-boy Dominic Foley. Attack may prove the best form of defence against an Oldham side that have lost their last two outings 5-2 and 4-2 against Blackpool and Chesterfield respectively. Neil Ruddock, available after suspension, misses the trip because of a knee injury while Paul Edwards is still nursing a groin injury. King travelled to Bury last night to watch the Shakers take on Huddersfield ­ Town’s opponents on February 5.

Town don't take any fresh injuries into the game, and Andy King welcomes the return of defender Andy Gurney and midfielder Bobby Howe from suspension. King said: "I haven't decided yet on what formation I will go with, I don't think it will be a surprise to anyone if I brought Andy Gunrey back. Previous to my return I heard reports he was very good, and on my return, he has been a strong link at the back. I feel we missed his character and strength on Sunday, it does depend on what system I go with." Whatever formation the team play, King will want his men to go for three points. He said: "I will choose the system that I believe will beat Oldham, because we need to win that game. The quicker we get to 45 points, which I think is a safety margin, then the quicker we can relax and look at what is happening. I don't want to be doing that on the last day of the season." Swindon are currently 18th in the table, and King was disappointed that the result against City didn't push them to mid-table safety. He said: "I know the position we stand in 18th looks dangerous or could be dangerous, with a string of bad results, so I want to win games sooner rather than later. "Bristol City would have been the platform, it was very important to me. Certain games at certain times go in your favour and then you have to re-adjust your thoughts afterwards, we had it last year when it went in our favour." Alan Young had a great impact on the game, but 15 minutes won't guarantee a start for the 18-year old. King added: "Alan isn't starting because of the physical pressure and demands in this division will hurt the kid, and I'm not prepared to hurt him and secondly he's been out for so long, he's not been involved since I've been away. "He will be involved, he'll be sub, but I can't start him from the off. 90 minutes is a long time for a young boy, with his physique."