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O’Grady set for Athletic return
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 11/12/2009
CHRIS O’GRADY will DEFINITELY return to Boundary Park when his loan spell at Rochdale expires, says Athletic boss Dave Penney.
The former Rotherham striker has been in excellent form for the Spotland side this season, scoring eight goals in 19 matches to help push Keith Hill’s men to the top of the Coca-Cola League Two table.
O’Grady hinted this week that he would like to stay with Rochdale in a bid to continue a promising partnership with Chris Dagnall and guide the side to a first promotion in 40 years.
But with Athletic desperate for goals in the continued absence of top scorer Pawel Abbott — there is also the possibility that Paul Heffernan won’t make it past a dead leg to play against Exeter tomorrow — Penney was unequivocal when asked about O’Grady’s situation, ahead of his loan deal expiring on January 16.
“Chris will be coming back, that is for sure,” said Penney, whose side have managed to score only once against 11 men in the last six home matches. “We will assess what we are going to do when we get to January and see where we are at. But certainly at the moment, Chris will be returning.”
The situation over the availability or otherwise of Heffernan – the on-loan striker was withdrawn just after half-time at Norwich last week – will be decided in training today.
Alex Marrow is back in the squad after suspension as Athletic seek a win which could take them as high as 13th in the League One table, jumping above Exeter in the process.
Athletic will have to do without right-back Andy Holdsworth, who had an operation yesterday in a bid to cure tendonitis in his knee. He faces between two and six months out.
Penney stopped short of describing the game as a must-win, though he accepted his team are entering a crucial period.
“It is a very tight league and if you look up to halfway there is only a couple of points in it,” he added.
“It is important we do pick points up. There are a lot of games coming at us quickly, particularly around Christmas, and we have four very winnable games here now so we are looking forward to those.
“Exeter are one of the teams round about us, so it important we pick points up against them.”
Athletic (from): Flahavan, Lomax, Gregan, Jacobson, Black, Smalley, Stephens, Furman, Whitaker, Colbeck, Heffernan, Brill, McKerr, Lee, Rowney, Parker, Brooke, Blackman, Marrow.
Exeter (probable): Marriott; Duffy, Taylor, Seaborne, Golbourne; Russell, Cozic, Harley; Corr, Fleetwood, Stewart. Subs (from): Jones, Tully, Edwards, Sercombe, Logan, Dunne, Stansfield, Archibald-Henville.
ATHLETIC’S away match at Swindon Town, postponed from its original date due to the Robins’ continued participation in the FA Cup, has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 9 (7.45pm).
Have Your Say
if he goes 4-5-1 tomorrow against a mediocre team like exeter it will tell you everything about the man. get brooke and blackman up there, smalley and colbeck on the flanks, parker back to scotland and we'll be alrite.
if penney does bring ogrady back then he does want sacking.
if he wasnt good enough in his oppinion in august then he obviously dropped a clanger.
i feel sorry for chris he has his confidence back playing for a good team, when it could all go wrong playing in a rubbish team at the wrong end of the table.
should never have been allowed to leave in the first place
If I was O'Grady, I wouldn't want to return either. The guy has done really well since joining Rochadale. Not the first time thats happened with players moving on from latics!!
No matter what when he comes back he be on the bench and am 100 per cent he will rejoin dale on a full time deal we will never sign chris dagell we got nothing in the banks.
No wonder he wants to stay at Dale. Next season they'll be in League One and Latics will be in League Two.
O'Grady has been a revelation at Spotland, because he's playing for a manager who knows his strengths, and understands him. The problem is with your manager, not O'Grady. Keith Hill signs 'broken toys' from clubs and makes them better players. Penney was at Darlo long enough to know O'Grady from L2. If he didn't see it in him before, January will be the same. O'Grady wants to come to Spotland anyway and has said so. I hope Latics improve quickly. Would be a nice League 1 fixture next season.
there absolutely NO WAY rochdale are going to get promoted 'harrysmate'! your part of the furniture in that league pal, and we all know you will offload your best players, including o'grady, in january. You will then bottle it in the playoffs as usual come May. Just a small team in Oldham.Deal with it.As much as we would love to take 6 easy points off you you will have to continue playing aldershot and accrington for the forseable future.
Dear rg2403,
Like I've just mailed the editor about your comment, you really need to think before writing your words.
You may find yourself in some hot water with Rochdale folk. Ps. by the way I'm a proud Oldhamer (born & bred) but I don't ridicule our neighbouring town. rg2403 get a grip of your typing fingers!
I'll have a tenner on Rochdale getting promoted and us probably passing them on the way Rg, anyways back to form saturday.
rg2403...........Yawn, yawn.......keep taking the tablets mate. You're deluded. If you want directions for Macclesfield and Grimsby next season, give us a shout.
rg2403 why can't you be pleased that rochdale are doing well.
Any Oldham worth there salt would wand Rotherham. Rochdale and Bury to be promoted - or do you enjoy traveling 30o mile every other week and spending the best part of £200 - not rocket science is it.
To rg2403,
I'm a Rochdale fan, i'm not stupid i know we go downhill after christmas, but we are doing well why not encourage us instead of slating us. Its a football game not a warzone, live and let live. By the way i'm married to an oldham fan, and we have our own oppinions about our teams, so if we can get on in our household, so should Rochdale and Oldham fans. And thank you to J Marsden for your comments, you are so right i dont believe in ridiculing our neighbouring towns. Respect.
He was never given a chance under Sheridan and he seems to have found his feet at 'Dale fingers crossed he brings some goals with him we desperatly need them
By bluehobbit @ 11/12/2009 13:30:55
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