United are on the road again, this time travelling to Northern basket case Oldham. Keith Curle’s in charge of the Latics this week, but for how long is anyone’s guess. Meanwhile, United look to carry on their recent form of win-lose-win-lose with a win, anything less will start to make the dream of automatic promotion a great deal more distant.
We had a difficult game against Bolton midweek, and the midfield didn’t cover themselves in glory – certain players are beginning to look tired but at least we’ll have Wes Hoolahan back. The goalkeeper and defence pick themselves, but if Paul Digby is fit enough to start he has to sit at the base of the diamond, with O’Neil & Boateng in the middle and Wes at the tip. Up front, Harvey Knibbs is still injured so Ironside and Mullin are the only option.
Expected-U’s Line-Up: Burton, Knoyle, Drysdale, Taylor, Dunk, Digby, O’Neil, Boateng, Hoolahan, Mullin, Ironside
Another option is to get Iredale and Hannant out wide, with Digby in the middle of midfield alone, and Wes as the attacking man – looks good on paper but could see us get overrun and leaves Digby with a lot of work to do as he looks to regain fitness. Of course, we could leave Hannant or Iredale out and put Boateng into the middle, it would leave the side unbalanced but give us a bit more strength where it’s needed. Whoever starts though, we really, really hope it isn’t Adam May.
Who’s Their Player To Watch? Conor McAleny has a decent return of 10 goals this season in 18 appearances, and veteran defender David Wheater will be out to make things hard for Mullin & Ironside
Who’s In The Dugout? Oldham have recently appointed Keith Curle as their second manager of the season, replacing Harry Kewell. Curle is the seventy-fifth manager to be appointed by Oldham since 2017. He’s actually the tenth, but it feels like they change every couple of months. Best known for a long playing career with Wimbledon, Man City, Wolves and Sheffield United, Curle has also managed a number of teams including Mansfield, Chester, Northampton, Carlisle and Notts County.
What’s Their Recent Form Like? P5, W1, D2, L2, For 3, Against 4
Any Ex-United Players? None that we can see
Last Time Out: Cambridge 1-2 Oldham, December 5 2020
It was great when we were allowed to watch football at the Abbey briefly last year wasn’t it? It would have been a whole lot better if we didn’t slump to two defeats in front of a socially distant crowd. A late Paul Mullin consolation the only highlight of a cold December Saturday.
From The Archive: Oldham 3-1 Cambridge, November 17 2018
Remember when George Maris used to be quite good? Remember when David Forde used to commit massive howlers, including this one, where miles out of his area he concedes a goal from the halfway line, every week? Ugh.
UTAS Moosenet Tip: Win, Lose, Win, Lose… we’re due a win then? 2-1 United, Mullin.
Under The Abbey Stand 
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