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Latics weigh up goalkeeper options
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 30 December 2009
ATHLETIC are playing a waiting game over the goalkeeping spot.
On-loan number one Darryl Flahavan is approaching the end of his second month at the club and has performed impressively in difficult circumstances, gaining a first clean sheet in the 2-0 home win over Exeter City three weeks ago.
Talks are taking place between Athletic officials and their counterparts at Palace and it is currently unclear whether the 30-year-old will remain at Boundary Park for a third month when his loan expires after the Coca-Cola League One clash at Hartlepool on Saturday.
Should a deal to extend Flahavan’s loan spell not come off, Athletic manager Dave Penney could recall the out-of-favour Dean Brill.
Signed from Luton Town in the summer, the 24-year-old had a troubled start to his Athletic career and hasn’t played since being deemed culpable for Huddersfield’s free-kick winner at Boundary Park on November 1.
However, he has reportedly been impressive in training and could be thrust back into first-team action soon.
Another option for Penney is to enact a recall clause in the season-long loan of Greg Fleming when the transfer window re-opens in the New Year.
The 23-year-old ‘keeper has made 18 appearances for Scottish Division One side Dunfermline Athletic. But he hasn’t played since mid-November and is currently sidelined after suffering a dislocated finger.
Athletic’s goalkeeping coach Andy Collett has kept tabs on Fleming’s progress but the club will not bring him back until he is fully fit.
One player whose loan spell has already expired is Paul Heffernan and, with the imminent return of leading scorer Pawel Abbott from injury, it could be that Penney opts to reinforce other positions in his side rather than renew the deal for the Doncaster man.
Comments
I think all these players out on loan are to ease the current wage bill. on greg fleming"we wont bring him back until he is fully fit" obviously his wage is being paid else where. Latics is a buisness and thats how its being run. Instead of a football team.
My worry is we are going to end up with Brill in goal. It says he did well in training and was dropped because of the Huddersfield match. What about the Southampton and Hartlepool games. Penney hs brought a mix of poor to very average players, but Brill is the worst and we have him until the end of next season!
Oh no! Flahaven has gone back after being injured at Wycombe. That means we have Brill back in goal Yahay!! If we lose 6 - 0 do you think they will fire Penney off. Most clubs would got rid by now, look at all the managerial casualties, but no not Oldham!! I see other clubs want to sign O'Grady, do you think it will be for an undisclosed fee.
Have Your Say
Typical of B.P. The Goalkeeper has gone back with injury, the striker has gone back as no one knows what's going on, the best striker the club hasn't got plays for Rochdale, our other goalkeeper plays in Scotland ...what kind of club are we running ?... sounds totally tinpot to me sad to say.
By Latics Observer @ 30/12/2009 15:28:33