Such a thrill to see Dean on world stage

Athletic’s star striker writes every week for Chron Sport


I WAS delighted to see our captain Dean Furman putting in a few challenges on a superstar of world football last week - and I have to admit it was a bit of a surreal experience.

Matt Smith and I watched a live stream of South Africa's game against Brazil. While that was on one screen, on another we had England's match against Moldova — and we barely glanced at the England game!

Dean played for an hour and did very well. The game was scoreless when he came off, not before letting Neymar know he was there. That was something me and 'Smudge' particularly enjoyed.

I spoke to Dean before and after the game and he described it as one of the best moments in his life to represent his country. And what a game to make a debut in!

I didn't see his second cap against Mozambique, when he picked up the man-of-the-match award.

But speaking to our chairman Simon Corney at the reserves match this week, he can't see any way in which if Dean stays fit he won't be involved in the squad for the African Cup of Nations

While it would be disappointing to lose our captain for any length of time, what an honour it would be for Oldham Athletic to have a player representing the club on a stage like that.

For the rest of us, the postponed Doncaster fixture meant a weekend full of training.

We have been working hard and the extra time has given us the opportunity to improve both individually and as a team ahead of the Notts County game.

The manager watched them play against Shrewsbury on Saturday and we know what to expect.

The goal for them was to carry on from where they left off last season after Keith Curle's appointment - and that is exactly what they have done.

They are a side who play good football, but we believe that we do, too, and we want to put on a good show in front of our own fans at Boundary Park.




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