Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson is eyeing Saturday’s visit of Crewe Alexandra to Boundary Park as a chance to ‘get rid of the hoodoo’.
Oldham are looking to overturn their run of three successive League One defeats, all by a single goal, two-thirds of which have come in the closing moments of the game.
Johnson bemoaned his side’s luck at conceding too many penalties of late, but remains optimistic for the near future.
“I think we have been unlucky in the decisions that have gone against us in recent weeks,” he said in Thursday night’s press conference.
“Of course I hoped we had more points at this stage and I think we probably deserve more.
“We have a good bunch of players who I believe in and I know we are only going to get better. They are young, hungry and mobile players who are good footballers and it is exciting times.
“We get these little turn in fortunes, but I am sure we will soon put a run together.”
The Latics, who currently sit in 16th place in the table after seven games, will welcome back winger James Dayton and in-form defender James Tarkowski from injury.
Tarkowski, 20, has made a solid start to the season and has now overcome the ankle trouble that kept him out of the 3-2 defeat to Rotherham last weekend.
Dayton, meanwhile, had a scan on his knee which showed his injuries were not as bad as first feared.
Midfield stalwart David Mellor will not be available for selection, however, as he serves the first game of his suspension that he picked up from his first-half sending off a week ago.
Crewe have made a similar start to the season to Oldham and sit just three places below them, separated solely by goal difference.
Johnson believes it is the desperation of both sides to get the result they desire that will make Saturday’s fixture a great game.
“Both teams will feel they have been unlucky and deserve more points than they have,” he said.
“It is going to be an intense game as both teams are desperate to get the three points.”
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