Oldham boss Lee Johnson believes his side’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool last weekend – in contrast to the buzz of last year when they knocked the former European champions out – will help them refocus on staying in League One.
Johnson admits he is nervous of his team slipping into the relegation zone as his side face basement club Stevenage on Saturday.
The Latics are now level on points with 21st placed Crewe Alexandra, with only goal difference keeping them out of the dreaded bottom four, but Johnson saw the positives of FA Cup defeat.
“In one sense, I’m really pleased that’s out of the way,” said the optimistic young manager.
“We can now get back to the bread and butter of the league.”
Oldham are only five points ahead of Saturday’s opponents Stevenage, who start the game at the foot of the table and are itching to make up ground on the former top flight club.
“Of course, I am worried and I am nervous like everyone else,” Johnson said at his weekly press conference.
“At the same time, I have a genuine belief that we can go on a run.
“But, it’s all good and well saying that – you’ve got to prove it.”
Johnson will welcome back striker Charlie MacDonald for the Stevenage clash, as well as hoping to see more from on-loan Scottish midfielder Gary Harkins, who he compared to Fulham star Dimitar Berbatov.
Harkins made his Latics debut at Anfield a week ago, but is expected to make his Boundary Park bow on Saturday.
Oldham and Stevenage last faced one another on the opening day of the league season, where Lee Johnson’s men ran out narrow victors in a seven-goal thriller.
Former Preston boss Graham Westley, meanwhile, is relishing the prospect of bringing his improving Stevenage side to the North West.
“It’s familiar territory for me – it feels a bit like going home,” said Westley, now in his third spell in charge of Boro.
Like the man in the opposite dugout this weekend, Westley is taking on the ‘new year, new team’ mantra.
“This is a great opportunity to start the league campaign of 2014 the right way,” he told the website’s Boro Player.
“We need to leave the annus horribilis behind and start moving forward.”
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, with thanks.
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