Despite bowing out of the Capital One Cup at the first hurdle to Derby County, Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson was keen to point out the positives.
Michael Jacobs’ 20th minute strike secured victory for the Championship side and ensured the Latics did not progress to the second round: something they haven’t managed since 2008.
Even though his team tired in the second half, Johnson was pleased with the way Oldham competed against a side from the division above.
“Derby are a very good Championship side, but we didn’t disgrace ourselves. We played well and it was just disappointing how it fizzled out,” Johnson told the club’s website.
“There are a lot of positives to take from the first half when we were on a par with them. We had chances and could have nicked a couple of goals.”
Jose Baxter, James Dayton and Cristian Montano overcame slight knocks to start with Jonson Clarke-Harris – who made his first competitive start for Athletic – replacing Charlie MacDonald in the only change from the win over Stevenage.
Dayton, Mark Oxley, Adam Rooney and Sidney Schmeltz also made their home competitive debuts and were involved in some impressive spells of play.
“We haven’t anybody who has played regularly in the Championship and as a result we played into their hands,” added Johnson.
“I found out that we are not quite Championship in our mentality, but in our play we can be when we are at our best.
“I thought over the 90 minutes they just edged us but, in fairness, we are a young side which is only going to get better.”
Montano came closest to equalising for Oldham but was denied on the line and the Latics received further worrying news when Clarke-Harris hobbled off making him a doubt for Saturday’s clash with Walsall.
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