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Penney determined to hit the target
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 12 February 2010
MANAGER Dave Penney has a simple message for his side as they prepare for a game of huge significance against Walsall tomorrow: Hit that target.
A host of first-half chances were spurned in the 4-2 midweek defeat at Swindon, as wayward shooting cost Athletic the chance to establish a lead at the County Ground.
Back at Boundary Park, the scene of only 11 home goals in Coca-Cola League One – the lowest such tally in the division along with Brighton – Penney is determined his team puts it right as they bid to take three vital points ahead of a fiendishly difficult run of upcoming games.
“Shots were flying over and wide at Swindon,” said Penney, whose team are only out of the relegation places on goal difference with consecutive matches against Colchester (away), Leeds (away) and Norwich (home) to come in the space of eight days starting a week tomorrow.
“We have to at least hit the target and make the goalkeeper work because if you don’t, you have no chance of scoring.
“We haven’t scored enough goals and that is why we were a little bit anxious in front of goal. We put a bit of respectability to it by getting those two late goals, which was nice for Joe Colbeck and Jason Price as it was both their first goals for us. “
Reuben Hazell and captain Sean Gregan have slight injuries as a result of the Swindon game. Hazell suffered a bang on the cheek while Gregan has a sore foot, but both men are expected to be fit.
Penney, who continues to run the rule over triallist winger Simon Whaley, does not expect to bring in a further loan signing until at least next week.
“We have got four loans in now and we have to assess what area we want to strengthen,” added the Athletic boss.
“We have one loan slot left so we will probably get Saturday’s game out of the way and see where we are ready for the next three big games we have coming up.”
Athletic (from): Brill, Goodwin, Hazell, Gregan, Jacobson, Smalley, Furman, Stephens, Whitaker, Abbott, Price, Flahavan, Aljofree, Marrow, Taylor, Parker, Colbeck, Brooke.
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings believes his mid-table side won’t have things all their own way at Boundary Park tomorrow.
“They’ve got Price and (Pawel) Abbott up front who are goalscorers, so we have to be on our mettle,” he said. “There’re no easy games. We have to take the game to them and give them a few problems.
“It’s a tough game, it’s always been tough to go there. It’s not the biggest of dressing rooms, it’s a three-sided ground and we know it’s going to be difficult but it’s one we’re not fearful of.”
Comments
Penney's only tactic, as far as one can see, could be because of his affection for the pop singer Gibert O' Sullivan and a particular song:
'A loan again.Naturally!). Excuse the play on words.
He mentions in this latest article that he has to assess where the team wants strengthening. Oh, dear! How can he hope to be taken seriously? Every fool and his mate could tell him that. What is he paid for?
if you dont hit the target, you dont make the keeper work, you dont score.
really i didnt know that.
i dont want you to get the sack anymore dave. you can suffer like the rest of us.
why should you get your contract paid up then move onto another club with not a care in the world.
no you can stay and listen to some grief tomorrow
penney you will be gone tomro night if we lose i heard latics fans will take banners to the match saying penney out.
I watched the north west football show on Monday and Alan Hardy was quoted as saying Dave Penney is the best man for the job. So OAFC are not going to get rid of him, no matter what, or so it seems. So we just have to hope we survive. But when you look how penney has transformed Oldham from being a top 10 side to a rubbish side struggling to survive. He built up this ' squad ', so never mind the postponments and injuries ( most of the injured players bar abbott are rubbish anyway ) plse resign.
I think we all know (apart from DP) that we need a another striker. But to be fair Jason Price DID put the ball into the back of the net twice on Tuesday night! Ok one was deemed off side by the linesman and the other was a simple tap in but to do that you have to be in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time (ask Lee Hughes!) Remember also that to pull TWO goals back when you are on the floor means the team NEVER gave up on the game. Its NEXT Months Games that will be the turning point NOT this ONE!!
The biggest mistake the board did was get rid of JS. At least he could bring in a decent player. You can't just blame penny, because the board have to take some of the flak, because we have taken a backwards step of about 5 years.
"Sheridan could bring in a decent player?" Most of shez's loan players were embarrassing, Molango, Glombard, Constantine, Livermore, Windass and the best of the lot, "I just can't be bothered" Rickets. Plus Shez isn't pulling up any trees at Chesterfield. What's the answer? Not sure, the depression over the club is terrible at the moment!
Give PENNEY a medal as he has just realised that hitting THAT TARGET might win us a game.He will say anything to try and protect himself when he should be saying I'M NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB.We have one LOAN place available mmmm and he is still assessing where we need to strenghten, well if you don't know now you never will know.
Another measure of how good a side Penney has built up was all the clubs who came to us in the transfer window trying to sign our players!
I am looking forward to Worthington being back so he kick more people and get injured or booked and banned again. I didn't see the goals from the Swindon game, did Brill dive over the top of onee shot!! He has done okay recently but his true class will surely come through soon.
I agree with kenny lea sacking john sheridan was a huge mistake at least we were confident of either play off or top ten finish. Its obvious either the board are clueless or Dave Penney is not up to the job, the fans have spoke with there feet attendence down over a thousand.
what about Jamie Cureton ?? a proven striker talking to Shrewsbury why cant we try and get him or is he an unknown as far as DP is concerned as he hasnt played in league 2 yet Wake up Penney we need a striker !! before its too late
“We have to at least hit the target and make the goalkeeper work because if you don’t, you have no chance of scoring"
Altogether now "Dave Penney is a football genius", "Dave Penney is a football genius"
Fantastic conclusion David, 23 Goals in 27 games, and you finally realise that if you don't hit the target you don't score goals....
If anyone reading this is going to the game with the intention of actually supporting the team rather than moaning vociferously for 90 minutes - get behind the team as this game is huge.
Training this week has involved showing our lads the rear end of cows and sticking a banjo in their hand.
RochdaleLatic - if Hardy said that, then Penney's days are numbered. Remember when Hillstone were going bang, Hardy insisted their name will remain on the shirts for the next season. Two weeks later, new shirt sponsor.
Accrington Blue - Windass scored two goals for us. He's the most successful loanee we've had in the last two seasons!
Have Your Say
As good as Whaley is, it's a striker we need, not a wide player.
By spike @ 12/02/2010 13:16:48