Boundary Park set for highly-charged afternoon

A highly-charged atmosphere both inside and outside Boundary Park is guaranteed tomorrow as struggling Latics host Hartlepool United.

Keith Curle's team currently prop up the League Two table following last weekend's 4-0 thumping at Leyton Orient, so the hosts will be desperate for a first home win of the season after six defeats in seven so far.

Off the field, meanwhile, the club is set to be thrust into the national spotlight as fans continue their ongoing protests aimed at Latics owner Abdallah Lemsagam.

Fans group Push the Boundary have invited supporters to congregate outside of the main stand at 2pm - an hour before kick-off - and conduct a "passionate but lawful" protest with chants and banners.

A PTB statement read: "It feels that dissenting voices are trying to be silenced in an effort to retain control of a situation that is quickly spiralling out of control.

"This is not unfamiliar based upon other clubs that have faced similar issues with ownership.

"We would like to see as many fans as possible, whether you are attending the game or not, to come down and show the custodians of this club, how passionate we are and that won’t stop until we get our club back.

"Bring your flags, your banners and your singing voices and be prepared to show your love and support for the club in the way you feel most appropriate.

"We want the mood to be passionate and positive and to show how strong the bond is between supporters, whether you have supporters the club for six months or for 50 years."

Team boss Curle said: "Shout, scream - within reason, voice your opinion.

"You're allowed free speech and that hasn't been taken away from anybody.

"Anybody can have an opinion, voice an opinion.

"A lot of people who are coming on the pitch are getting selfies with the players, so it's not a fearful environment.

"I understand the supporters are annoyed, unhappy and they're venting their frustration.

"They're entitled to do that.

"But it is a criminal offence to enter the field of play or throw objects onto the pitch."

Latics' star midfielder Dylan Bahamboula is a doubt for tomorrow's game as he picked up a thigh injury while away on international duty.

Newly-promoted Hartlepool have made a decent start to the season and currently sit in fifth place in the table thanks to four wins from their opening seven games.

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