Itching to get started again

Latics’ assistant manager writes every week for Chron Sport
I HAVE been involved in professional football for 22 years now.

In every one of those years I have learned new things — and heading into my second season here with Oldham, the last 12 months have been no different.

You almost can't help but pick things up. With the playing staff changing all the time, you find out things about players as well as about yourself.

I think we have all grown as people. And though I won't promise never to make a mistake again, we have definitely learned the lessons from last year.

In terms of pre-season training, this time around we have concentrated more on specific aspects for individual players and cut down on the intensity a little bit.

That is not to say fitness levels aren't up to scratch. Far from it. If the season had started last week, they would have been ready for it.

The results we have taken from our matches against the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Blackpool have been pleasing.

The important thing, though, is that we have approached the games in the right way. The final scoreline is a bonus. Strengthening the back was a big part of our task in the close season.

What we have now got — touch wood — is a decent partnership between Jean-Yves Mvoto and Zander Diamond in the middle. There is young James Tarkowski to add to the mix as well, while we feel we have bridged a gap by signing new goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

Full-backs were never a concern for us. Kieran Lee is the reigning player of the season and Paul Black is improving all the time.

If there is one clear lesson we took from last season, it was that we needed to be stronger.

It was a big piece of our thinking in signing Zander that he provides very useful physicality at set-pieces, an area in which we conceded far too many goals from corners and free-kicks.

I really can't wait to get going after all the training and friendlies.

Those aspects are great in themselves, but everyone is itching to get the first game on and to get back into the swing of things.

Sheffield United at home is clearly a big game for us. We are up against one of the sides who dropped down to this division from the npower Championship and who are now one of the favourites to go straight back up.

It is a stiff test, but I also believe that first up may be a good time to face them: it will probably take them 12 or so games to find out what League One is all about.

Clearly, careful management of our playing staff is going to be a major factor.

Our squad isn't the biggest by any means, and that just can't be helped. It is down to us to keep the players fit for as many games as possible.

I believe the players will rise to the challenge in 2011-12. There are more matches against our geographical neighbours and more emphasis will be placed on those games.

It will be a tougher league than it was last year. But on our day, we are a match for anyone.