“We all play in Blue and Tangerine” Oldham’s Classic Shirt of the 1970’s.

If you happen to be an Oldham Athletic supporter over 50 and spend far too much time reminiscing over games played four decades ago and the hairs in your ears stand on end every time you hear the word ‘tangerine’ mentioned, then you are part of a select group of people who were lucky enough to watch Oldham play in a classic era of football at Boundary Park.

That era was of course the early 1970’s when player turned manager Jimmy Frizzell guided Oldham out of the old Fourth Division playing in a swashbuckling style with players who went on to become Latics legends.

Most importantly though, the club had changed their traditional blue and white kit to that of tangerine shirts and blue shorts. Apparently, this move had been introduced by a young Ken Bates who was Chairman of the club for five years in the 1960’s to give the team a distinctive edge.

To be fair, it has to be pointed out that Blackpool FC had been turning out in a tangerine kit for some time (bizarrely their first game in tangerine was against Oldham in the opening game of the 1923/24 season) so it wasn’t a unique idea but nobody who supported Oldham was interested in that minor detail and tangerine scarves were top of every supporters birthday and Christmas want list. In fact many of us bought two so we could wear one round each wrist as was the sartorial style of the day.

The kit was immensely popular and never clashed with an opposing side (Blackpool were three divisions above Oldham) so the decision as to what to wear at an away game was never in question. Replica shirts hadn’t yet become a money spinner for clubs however so it was scarfs and wooly hats (if you were under 10) that was the order of the day.

The local press often referred to Athletic as the ‘tangerine terrors’ as they swept aside their opponents in the 70/71 season scoring 81 goals and gaining promotion in 3rd place. Key to their success were the goals from possibly Latics best ever strike force of David Shaw and Jimmy Fryatt with 23 and 24 goals respectively.

The club has recognised the importance of the kit to supporters and a version of it is the current change strip and has been in past seasons. At Fulham in the FA Cup this season, the 4000+ Latics fans serenaded their London counterparts to their own version of the Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’, “We all play in Blue and Tangerine“.

Part 1: Fifa19 Challenge: Oldham to the Champions League in Six Years

Hello, I’m Ian, and I’ve been handed the task of taking Oldham Athletic to the Champions League in six seasons!

Yeah, you read that right…six seasons!!

If you didn’t know we put a Twitter poll out of various Fifa19 challenges:

The winner by some distance was Oldham to the Champions League.

So, having last played Fifa17, and not picked up the PS4 pad for a while, I’ve set myself on the professional level – we’ll see how it goes.

Now I have a little system that I feel works for manager type games, and I’m hoping it pays off one more time. I’ve disabled the first transfer window, as I want to see what I’ve got in my team for the first half of the season at least. So no incomings until January, which I’m hoping I don’t need as I bid to build the bank for later seasons.

The board have set the following objectives for the season:

1. Win League Two
2.  Get to the last 32 of the FA Cup

My first course of action was to hire two scouts for my youth academy, this is going to be vital in the coming seasons. With the 1.4million budget I’ve got, I need to rely on youth coming through and also start to become a feeder club to bring in the money for when I hit the Championship and Premier League.

I feel like I’ve got two decent scouts to start off with; One with experience and one with judgement. I’ve set them both a 6-month assignment in England and Scotland to find the best out there they can…so we’ll see come Jan.

My formation is going to be determined with the players I have to hand, I like either a 433 or a 442 diamond with my wingers way out wide, a holding midfielder and a player with the free-range behind the front two – a little old school but I prefer it.

I currently have a squad of 27 players, in January I’d like to trim that by a couple. I like to have two in each position, ideally a first-team starter and either a youngster or an older player as a backup. I also like to have 2 utility players who can play a number of roles in defence and midfield.

On first glance it’ll seem two out of my six strikers will be earmarked to go in the winter window, and possibly a left back.

We’ve just entered a preseason tournament with the prize money set at £1.3m. We have Accrington, Antalyaspor and Yeni Malatyaspor in the group stages, I’m quietly confident we can claim one of the two qualifying spots to progress through.

I should have a clearer idea of the formation path I want to go down after the tournament before season one starts…

Let’s get going!

Oldham’s Season is Stumbling to an End, But What Can Wild Learn From Their Newport Defeat?

It is very easy for fans to cast aside an end of season defeat when there is very little to play for.

However, for the coach and players, the penultimate game of the season can prove to be a valuable lesson in both understanding why the squad haven’t achieved more and what they need to do to improve.

Tuesday nights defeat at Newport was almost inevitable, given that Latics had already failed at the hurdle of needing to win their last three games. The players can be forgiven for having their attention on a beach in Marbella, rather than the drab surroundings of South Wales. With Newport still able to make it into the top seven, the game was always going to be keenly contested.

What Athletic’s players were probably not prepared for was the physical onslaught wreaked on them by a Newport side desperate not to lose.

Both captain Peter Clarke and George Edmundson had to leave the field with injuries, following Newport’s attempts to barge into our players at every opportunity. It highlighted a problem we have had with other sides this season who are intent on imposing their physical strength on the game, once they have decided whether the referee will let them get away with it or not.

Athletic have won a good number of games this season with confident, passing football but they need to also learn that playing ‘ugly’ in the manner of MK Dons, Lincoln and Newport also gets you results and although it isn’t a pretty sight, it is sadly part of the formula for escaping League Two in the right direction.

For Peter Wild, the lesson learned needs to be to expect spoiler tactics and aerial bombardments as part of League Two life and to adjust his team accordingly. Latics fans wouldn’t want to see our players crumble into a heap at the sight of an opposition players shadow, but imposing ourselves on the game right from the kick off might be a valuable lesson.

Oldham Suffer First Defeat, But Has Wild Done Enough To Deserve The Job?

Winning the last three league games was always going to be a big ask for Peter Wild and his squad, especially as two of those games were away from home and a fair distance from Boundary Park. However, it doesn’t matter how far or near games are, they have to be overcome and although Latics lost for the first time in six games the performances since the defeat at Lincoln have been well worth the entrance money.

As there have been no additions to the squad or players returning from lengthy injury absence, the credit for the 14 points from six games must go to Peter Wild and the effect he has had on the squad.

There has been no great change in tactics but Wild obviously recognises the limitations of the squad and has managed to adjust accordingly. Given that the players know Wild well and appear to be content with his style of coaching, the idea of anyone else taking over the reins at present would be an unpopular decision.

Many believe that if the club hadn’t got themselves involved in the Paul Scholes debacle, we might be preparing for the playoffs instead of missing out on them by the skin of our teeth. The six points from seven games under Scholes may long be looked at as a wasted opportunity.

Consequently, giving Wild the job on a full time basis must be looked at as a serious option, and that decision should be made before the end of the season to put a halt to any uncertainty and to give the players who will still be with the club and the supporters some much needed normality.

With two games still to play, Wild will be looking to get Athletic into the best league position possible and has hinted that some players who haven’t been featured this season may see themselves in the starting line up. One of those is midfielder Chinedu Uche who was on the bench at Exeter and, is another youngster who Latics are hoping to push into the first team.

There is unlikely to be a large following from Oldham at Newport on Tuesday night given that our slim chance of reaching the playoffs has ended, but it is a game that the South Wales club really need to win to put them in a strong position going into the final weekend of the season. Peter Wild may wonder what his future holds at Boundary Park but he won’t let it get in the way of seeking three points.

Wild Should Be Looking to Strengthen in These Two Key Areas After Oldham’s Chaotic Season

If Peter Wild is given the Oldham managers job at the end of the season, and if he wants it of course, he will no doubt be looking to improve the current squad by getting rid of some of the players who haven’t figured this season and strengthening certain areas where we are in need.

Some would argue that there isn’t a great deal wrong with the squad, it is the person in charge of the club who needs attention but like it or not, Latics will once again be starting a season in the bottom tier and several of the players who have served us well this season are not going to be around.

Top of the shopping list has to be a ‘keeper who is as good as or better than Daniel Iverson. That is going to be no mean feat, given that Daniel has had a terrific season and looked at one stage to be challenging for the record of most clean sheets in a season. Getting a ‘keeper in on loan from a club in a higher division seems to be the most likely option but to do that may mean waiting until the 2019/20 season is almost upon us given that club managers leave it late to decide which is their best team.

The other key area is in attack mainly because of the loss of Callum Lang who returns to Wigan at the end of the season. It could be that Wigan, currently courting with relegation from the Championship might see Lang as a player who could do a decent job in League One should they go down. Whatever happens, Lang deserves to play at a higher level and like Iverson, will not be persuaded to sign for Latics given the perilous state of Oldham’s finances.

Once again, Wild may have to look for a season long loan signing or two as I cannot really believe that Chris O’Grady will still be with the club. Finding attacking players who can weigh in with 20+ goals a season has to be the most difficult of tasks but it will have to be addressed if Latics hold any hopes of getting out of League Two.

There are some who would welcome a period of stability after what has been a crazy season and I’m sure Peter Wild would agree with that.

If Oldham Have Faint Hopes Of Reaching the Play-Offs then They Have to Brush Aside Swindon

There are lots of computations in the top third of League Two and rather than relying on some complicated algorithm, coach Peter Wild will be approaching each of the remaining six games with the calm and assured manner which he has come to be associated with.

He has wisely asked for calm heads among players, staff and fans as Latics approach the game against Swindon looking for their fourth win in a row. It is obvious that the team need to get a win against the Wiltshire club who are currently one place and two points above them in the table.

Earlier in the season, the teams managed a goalless draw which would normally be seen as a decent result for the visitors but neither team will be content to repeat it, especially as it might mean that other clubs can move above them. Now is not the time for half measures however, and only points in the bag will do.

Swindon will be as fully aware of this as Athletic and with one less game to play, their plight can be seen to be more urgent.

The game has been made more interesting by the return of ex-Oldham boss Richie Wellens, who described his exit from Boundary Park to the local newspaper as due to the poor playing surface forcing a change in his preferred playing style. As far as Latics fans were aware, he was sacked for being responsible for us dropping into the league’s basement for the first time in 50 years! Still, who can hold their hands up and say they have never been economical with the truth on their CV!

Both clubs are pretty evenly matched in recent form but, that shouldn’t worry Latics who threw the formbook out of the window when they beat Tranmere two games ago.

If Callum Lang can keep up his goalscoring antics backed up by a strong midfield, determined defence and safe hands in goal then there is no reason why Athletic can’t go into the Easter fixtures in a strong position.

The Boundary Park pitch might not presently be as lush as it should be, therefore at least Richie Wellens will have a ready made excuse if his team leave empty handed.

5 points off PlayOffs, 3 Unbeaten, 1 Game in-Hand, Wild’s Got Things Going Right For Oldham

While most of the country were glued to their TV’s watching the Champions League quarter finals unfold, fans of any of the clubs in the top third of the League Two table will have had their eyes on the two fixtures being played at a much less lofty position.

Bottom placed Macclesfield were engaged in a fight for survival against seventh placed Exeter and, Swindon and Newport were hoping to take advantage of their game in hand to edge them nearer to the play off places.

Latics fans would have been hoping for a draw between Swindon and Newport and an unlikely but not impossible win for Macclesfield. Their wishes came true as a certain Harry Smith scored two vital goals for Macclesfield, which lifts them out of the relegation places and the other teams played out a goalless draw.

The results could not have been better for Latics, Carlisle, Colchester and Stevenage who are all capable of reaching seventh place. The one difference however, is that Latics have a game in hand and could tip Exeter out of the last promotion place if they keep up their current winning form and beat Exeter on the 27th April.

Of course to do this, Latics need to win four or five league games on the trot, something they haven’t managed to do for the best part of 14 years therefore, it might well be made easier if the teams around them continue to drop points.

In the games leading up to Easter, many of the teams surrounding Latics face some tough fixtures and given that injuries, suspensions and fatigue all play a part in late season ambitions, there is still a great chance that Latics could, incredibly as it seems, be in contention for a top seven finish.

Already, our remaining away games that would have been largely ignored at Cheltenham, Exeter and Newport are being targeted by Latics impressive travelling army. It seems incredible that Oldham’s season has been given almost a second chance and if they can overcome Swindon this weekend to make it four wins in a row it will certainly appear that with Peter Wild back in charge things are starting to go right again.

Can Wild Make it Three Wins on The Bounce With This Midfield

Facing a game on Saturday where a win could put Oldham within four points of a playoff place, requires the best players at peak fitness and mental aptitude. Peter Wild knows that his choice for the starting line up at Colchester will be crucial given that Latics are attempting to win three league games in a row for the first time this season.

Key to our possible success is the role played by the midfield players. We have been lucky in being able to watch four players in particular improve as the season progressed. It should not be a difficult choice for Wild to pick the players who have more than earned their places in the last two games but the return of Jose Baxter after suspension could complicate matters.

Wild will probably stick with the winning formula of:

Johan Branger

Not everyone’s first choice but his recent performances have qualified him for a starting place. If Baxter was to be included, Johan would probably find himself on the bench.

Christopher Missilou

An extremely powerful player who had possibly his best game for the club against Tranmere. Hit his only goal of the season against Yeovil in Paul Scholes first game and, if he could add a few goals to his already capable repertoire he would certainly be able to play at a higher level.

Mohammed Maouche

Making up a French threesome in midfield is Maouche who even when not having the best of games shines out like a beacon. His defence splitting pass to Callum Lang for Oldham’s second goal against Tranmere was sheer class.

Gevaro Nepomuceno

Another player who would be sorely missed if he wasn’t in the starting line up. A superb crosser of the ball and a useful player to have who can fill in at full back when needed.

Sub: Jose Baxter

The talented Scouser has struggled with fitness this season but is showing signs of hitting top form. His enforced absence from the side following the sending off at Lincoln, could mean that he is short of match practice. A formidable player to have on the bench however.

Latics Fans are Wild about Peter

There was an inevitability about Peter Wild returning as coach after Paul Scholes turned his back on the club. Peter comes across as Mr Reliable and rather than appoint someone who was unknown, and could have been yet another managerial casualty before the end of April given our madcap season, appointing Wild who was already highly regarded made perfect sense.

His record with the first team is exceptional having recorded six wins in ten games in charge and, there are now many who believe that Wild should have been given a longer period in charge and the whole Paul Scholes shambles could have been avoided.

On Tuesday night against Tranmere, despite the presence of a big turnout of visiting supporters Latics put in their best league performance of the season and ended a sequence of seven straight wins. The entire Latics team put in a superb shift and coupled with the victory against Grimsby three days earlier has incredibly pushed them up to 12th place, seven points behind 6th place Forest Green Rovers and with a game in hand.

It seems impossible to be talking about the play offs again but given that we face games against the teams around us in the next few weeks, we can at least shape our own destiny. Incredibly hope has once more come knocking at the Boundary Park door.

There is little doubt that Oldham fans see this revival as proof that Wild can motivate the players when Scholes couldn’t. To be able to get a side who looked lost and lacking in concentration a few weeks ago, to keep a clean sheet against the league’s top scorer and play them off the park in the process was a formidable task but Latics were up for it.

We should not be under any illusions that we can afford to take any of the remaining games for granted, because even the loss of one point can make an enormous difference in the final table. The six points gained over the last week have temporarily cast aside the shadow of displeasure that exists at the club between owner and fans and, it is worth pointing out that those who still believe that Abdallah Lemsagam is picking the side must concur that he is doing an excellent job. Or it could just be that Peter Wild is.

Eventful March is One To Forget For Oldham Fans

March is always the make or break month for clubs. The surge for promotion needs to be well under way as does the climb to safety. The number of games remaining by April Fools Day is usually down to single figures and, apart from a few rare occurrences clubs are pretty sure where they are going to end up in the table.

Not unsurprisingly given previous league results, Latics started March with a promising first half display at home to Stevenage with a goal from Jose Baxter separating the sides before conceding an equaliser in the dying minutes. Indeed, Stevenage could have left Boundary Park with all three points after striking the crossbar deep into injury time. Letting in late goals continued a trend which had seen Latics slip down the table and it was seen as a problem that Paul Scholes needed to fix fast.

There was no late goal at Cambridge a week later but despite going ahead in the first half courtesy of an own goal, Latics failed to capitalise on their lead and another disappointing point at a club who had spent most of the season trying to get out of the relegation scrap wasn’t the result we were looking for. With a trip to leaders Lincoln facing us three days later, there was a feeling that we had squandered the chance to pick up points against sides we really should have beaten.

Latics were now without a win in five games which was obviously not the introduction to football management that Paul Scholes was expecting.

The Lincoln game started well enough for Athletic but like on many other occasions this season Latics failed to make their advantage pay and the result was inevitable. The sending off of Jose Baxter was also going to have a bearing on forthcoming games, however, that problem was quickly forgotten when Paul Scholes walked out of the club two days later.

Losing the second manager this season, this one after only 31 days just about summed up the farce that this season has become. The fans turned on owner Abdallah Lemsagam due to his alleged interference in team affairs, but any plans they might have had to demonstrate their wrath disappeared under the Boundary Park rain clouds as the next home game against Tranmere was postponed.

Also postponed was the game at Newport due to International call ups which left just one more game in the month, a home game against Grimsby with Peter Wild back in the management hot seat.

Despite the worry that recent off field events might have an influence on the game, Latics scored a goal in each half without reply and the impressive debut of Alex Iacovitti gave some hope for the remaining games. Given recent events at Boundary Park, March wasn’t much different from the rest of the season. It might not be to everyone’s taste but at least Oldham fans can claim that they are fully prepared for anything life in League Two throws at them.