Though Oldham Athletic have surrendered their League One winning streak to slide back into the relegation zone, caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk remains adamant they can stay up.
The Latics – who enjoyed three successive league triumphs before finally bowing out of the FA Cup to Everton – lost to promotion-chasing Sheffield United at the weekend.
The defeat leaves them in 20th place and two points adrift of safety, but Philliskirk believes the games against their relegation rivals will be critical.
“We have a massive game next week at Tranmere and then after that we have Hartlepool at home,” he said.
“We also have to play Colchester, Carlisle and Crawley at home and away to Bury and Shrewsbury. They are all teams who are in and around us.”
Athletic have twelve games remaining to ensure that they remain in League One and preserve their status as the longest-serving of the 72 Football League clubs in their division.
With games in hand on most of their relegation rivals – including Shrewsbury Town and Scunthorpe United – Oldham’s fate is still their own.
“It is in our hands and I think the five or six games mentioned will be the defining ones of the season,” added Philliskirk.
“If we keep showing the spirit and determination we have been doing, I am sure we will get out of trouble.”
Latics travel to Merseyside in their next game to play promotion-chasing Tranmere Rovers, managed by former boss Ronnie Moore.
Image courtesy of ITV Sport via Youtube, with thanks.
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