Latics hit the headlines

‘SIMPLY brilliant’, said the Daily Mirror.
‘Forest stunned by Simpson’s one-two punch’, had The Times.

In the Sun, Chris Kamara plumped for Paul Dickov’s men as his team of the weekend. “They showed lots of character,” he said.

Athletic were one of the big stories in the national newspapers. For all the right reasons.

Two-goal hero Robbie Simpson was the main focus of attention, as photographers snapped away to record his celebrations after scoring twice in quick succession against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

And the reporters at the game had kind words for the performance produced by Dickov’s side - currently 32 places below Championship play-off hopefuls Forest.

“Oldham responded in style after Matt Smith had put into his own net,” wrote Ian Baker in the Times. “Not even a goal from Billy Sharp, a substitute, with the last kick of the game could spoil Oldham’s afternoon.”

The trick for Dickov now is to reproduce such sterling efforts more regularly.

Athletic are 19th in npower League One, five points above the relegation zone. Before the triumph at the weekend, the team had been without a win in five fixtures.

“We have shown what we can do,” Dickov said. “There is character in the squad. We just need to get performances on a consistent basis.”