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Don’t panic!
Reporter: Keith McHugh
Date online: 29/01/2010
UNDER-FIRE Athletic boss Dave Penney insists his team can return to winning ways and climb from the League One relegation zone to a position of mid-table safety.
Fourth from bottom of the table and with only one win in their last 12 matches, Athletic are in desperate need of an injection of confidence following a string of disappointing results and the failure to score goals in their last two home games.
But an upbeat Penney said: “We don’t want to be where we are, but there’s no panic stations at the moment.
“We will keep our heads down, keep working hard and, hopefully, the results will come.”
Having picked up only one point from their last two home matches, Athletic are acutely aware of the importance of tomorrow’s home game against Brentford, which will be followed by a trip to basement boys Stockport on Tuesday and an away game at fellow strugglers Tranmere tomorrow week.
Athletic are League One’s lowest goalscorers with only 20 from 25 games and Penney admitted: “It’s not rocket science. If you don’t score goals, you are not going to win football matches.
“I feel we are snatching at chances, but we are working hard on our finishing and our set-pieces at training. We have to start scoring some ugly goals — it doesn’t matter how we get a goal as long as we get one.”
Penney confirmed he had been making inquiries about bringing in new players, but pointed out that Athletic had the option of signing personnel on loan a week after Monday’s transfer deadline.
With the emphasis on goals, it is extremely unlikely Athletic will pursue any interest in centre half Hasney Aljofree, who played for the reserves in Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.
But utility player Jim Goodwin, whose loan deal expires on Saturday, is expected to be retained for a second month.
His club, Huddersfield, have no objections and Goodwin is needed at full-back with Kelvin Lomax on the injury list.
Athletic have no new injury concerns for tomorrow’s match against a Brentford side for whom Penney has plenty of respect.
“They won their league last season and have taken confidence from that. They are in the top 10 and have added well this season, so it won’t be an easy game, that’s for sure,” he said.
Penney also encouraged Athletic fans to back the team during this difficult period but, when asked if he hoped to see more supporters turn out than in the previous two home games, when only 3,688 and 3,656 attended, he said: “Yes, as long as they get behind the team.”
Have Your Say
COME ON LATICS, Lets get behind them, to a man.
If we are still in the drop zone by the time we play Swindon can we then start to panic? Or shall we all wait until Charlton home?
I'd give him three or four more games to turn it round, which is generous given Stockport and Tranmere are coming up.
EXCUSE ME DAVE...BUT DON'T TRY TO MAKE US LOOK LIKE FOOLS, AT DARLINGTON YOU GOT AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY IN THE BASEMENT, BUT FOR THE LAST 3 SEASONS WE AT OLDHAM WHERE IN THE MIX OF THE PLAY OFFS, WE COULD SCORE AND WE HAD PASSION. IN SIX SHORT MONTHS YOUVE STOPPED US SCORING AND PLAYING WITH ANY CONVICTION. YOU HAVE NO IDEAS HOW TO SOLVE IT WE CAN SEE THAT WEEK IN WEEK OUT...WHY SHOULD WE GET BEHIND YOU AND YOUR RUBBISH BUYS??? GET LOST DAVE..YOURS FROM ONE OF MANY...
Get behind the team? Latics website today are offering cheap Brentford tickets to the Armed Forces "who serve their country in difficult times". Hypocrites - what about those who died serving the country. No problem we'll just pinch their memorial ground.
Stop going on about budgets etc and the team !!!!!!
The wage budget isnt the same it is lower ! They think by buying 2 players this equates to the same
That's it Dave, keep bigging up the opposition.
What an absolute disgrace the parting comment of "Yes, only if they get behind the team"
Like may other comments posted on here, I think this is a disgrace - In the 20 years that I have been going to BP, I have never witnessed such bad football, or lack of conviction from a latics team or manager...the atmosphere at BP is absolutely appauling, and until the owners admit to making a mistake in appointing Mr Penney and sack him then this only going to get worse - hello League 2!
You stupid boy! ...I think you should be starting to panic Mr P. If you look at the stats we have 26 points from 25 games - an average of 1.04 points per game. After 46 games that would be 47.84 points - not enough to stay up last season. Based on current form (ie. not scoring any but not letting many in) if we draw the remaining 21 games nil-nil we will end up with a total of 47 points. Again not enough to stay up...We're Doomed!!! Who do you think you are kidding Mr Penney?
This guy takes the biscuit,i keep looking over my shoulder,round corners,under tables but still i cant find Jeremy Beedle,surely this is a wind up,the worst manager ever to be appointed at BP,do they not get it, we are dire so we are voting with our feet.Will the last one out please turn the lights out,no passion,pride or anything for that matter.PENNEY OUT AND TAKE THE GARBAGE YOUVE BROUGHT IN WITH YOU.43 years a fan that cant stand it any longer.
No need to panic? Tell you what dave, you pay to get in and watch it from my seat!
The man is totally deluded, get him out now for god's sake!!!!
Reading this article makes me think that we are not going to purchase any players during the last few days of the transfer market but wait till a week on monday and fetch in more hasbeens on loan, what happened to the deal we had with Chelsea that we could have first choice on some of their up and comin players which was part of the deal for Philiskirk, PENNEY OUT PENNEY OUT
Penney confirmed he had been making inquiries about bringing in new players, but pointed out that athletic had the option of signing personnel on loan a week after Monday's transfer deadline. Here we go trying to soften the blow ready for the deadline and no players signed. When he says he's been making inquries does he mean he's phoned the physio room at BP to see which of his flops are fit. Never mind we can always wait until Doncater deem Heffernon surplus to requirements.
"Latics website today are offering cheap Brentford tickets to the Armed Forces "who serve their country in difficult times". Hypocrites - what about those who died serving the country"
To be fair I think it'a bit hard to offer free tickets to dead people but if we could get them through the turnstiles, it might improve the atmosphere at Boundary Park.
SACK THIS INCOMPETENT FOOL NOW ! ! !
I totally agree with much what is said. However, most of you lot are deluded if you think we should demand/expect a top 6 season, nevermind Dave Penney being deluded! To get anywhere near the top 6 with our budget/crowds would be a fantastic effort. We are threadbare, had key players for long periods, and dont have the money to change that. Deal with it. Come on boys 9 points from 9, starting Saturday.
Keep the faith and get behind the boys (even though I agree, some dont deserve it)
mark jaques i am with you 100% even the Keith Hicks Gary Hoolikin's etc played with pride and had a go they werent bleesed with tremendous skill but they made up for it with effort but this lot and this manager in particular i am at a loss to find words for howpoor they are and how low as a club we have sunk I too have no intention of going back until Penney and his crew are history
If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. Nobody wants to watch second rate sunday league players with sheriff badge feet so crowds drop and money gets tighter. its a catch 22 situation. The only way to possibly stop this is for the directors to take a gamble which will we are told will put the long term future of the club in jeopordy. Its not a new manager we need its a miracle
Thats the answer is it? Keep your heads down and hope the results come. This guy just does not see it does he? Heads need to be up and results fought for! And for that to happen
they need someone to get them playing as a team, and Penney aaint the man manager to achieve it.
If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. Nobody wants to watch second rate sunday league players with sheriff badge feet so crowds drop and money gets tighter. its a catch 22 situation. The only way to possibly stop this is for the directors to take a gamble which will we are told will put the long term future of the club in jeopordy. Its not a new manager we need its a miracle
Also are there any other clubs in this division who operate on less than 4000 gates who could afford to lose their two best players for most of the season and be in any different a situation than ours ?
Is PENNEY for real in what he says. The fans are behind the team it's YOU we're not behind. Goodwin will get another moths loan wippee woo, he doesn't score goals thou Penney. he's not that good either. Still no players in and I can't see any coming in. Penney talks twaddle as if he knows and understands the fans. If we lose tomorrow you need 2GO. We shud panic bottom and 5 wins out of 26. says it all really.
Hi guys some have mentioned that it's free or cheap for HM forces discount, sorry troops can't see that anywhere? Anyone help?
Served 25 years
When we signed Penney as Manager, my gut reaction was we's got the wrong man- I thought Gannon was a better candidate, but I thought I'd give him a chance.
He made all the right noises - like building a young strong attacking based on the traditional 4-4-2 formation.
Just goes to show that some people can talk the talk, but not walk the walk, so I guess you should always go with your gut reaction.
Lad's - for God's sake stop slagging and lets get cheering. It's dark days but two good results starting tomorrow will kick off a great recovery. For goodness sake give some POSITIVE comments!
The only way you'll get a team that can compete in Oldham these days is if there is a merger, something radical to shake things up. Oldham & Rochdale FC. Milltowns FC. Put the existing teams in a reserves league. It cant go on like this the whole thing will go bust and then there's nothing. Needs some completely new thinking and facing some realities. It's over and the stadium idea is great but Failsworth is a serious mistake. Sorry. Check out Melbourne's multiplex approach at the heart of the
community. Latics on its own wont work and blaming Dave Penney misses the point and he's also had half his team missing. As well as half the support. It's time for a whole new approach off the pitch, never mind on it. Good luck Dave.
Kosygardens- the forces discounts are mentioned on the official oafc website. Just google Oldham athletic.
For those who dont agree with criticisng Corney et al the issue is that the board have failed to act to reverse our position...this is Penney's team made up of players he brought in, most of whom he has worked with in the past and none of who appear to be up to it at this level. Even when we had a full team we were playing poor defensive minded football which even when we won was boring to watch. The board should be criticised despite all they have done; they are responsible for the low gates!
Come on Dave! Dont you think that 2 wins in the last 4 months gives us good reason to panic?
when asked if he hoped to see more supporters turn out than in the previous two home games, when only 3,688 and 3,656 attended, he said: “Yes, as long as they get behind the team.”
20 goals in 25 games hasn't actually given us much to cheer about has it David.
Perhaps once you provide us with the attacking brand of football you promised when you signed as manager, then we'll get behind the team
im not panicing dave im just very very very disappointed in your choice of players and general tactical play
Don't panic I am not panicking, if we go down I wont be back next season, not while Penney is in charge. We have no money, he signs Purdie on with a serious injury, he must be some player to pay wages to for nearly two seasons. 'Penney Out'. Did super Joe Royle have some impact on bringing this drip we call a manager. Bring Andy Richie back.
That's it Dave, keep bigging up the opposition.
By Eye See It @ 29/01/2010 12:02:00
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