Lee Johnson will take his Oldham Athletic side down to Stoke-on-Trent this weekend for a League One meeting with a Port Vale side managed by his former boss Micky Adams.
The Oldham manager was just a teenager when he played under Adams at Brighton and Hove Albion, before being signed by father Gary for Yeovil Town in 2001.
Adams remembers Johnson’s time at Brighton not being the happiest, as he made only one appearance for the club, but knows how passionate the 32-year-old is about his latest career venture.
“He didn’t get too many games and he wasn’t happy about it at the time,” Adams recalled to the Port Vale website.
“He decided to move on and he had a very good career.
“He is a young manager learning his trade and he will want to do well, but he will make mistakes as we all do.”
Johnson’s Oldham cannot afford too many more mistakes as they continue their plight to stay away from the relegation zone.
Currently in 16th place in the League One table, the Latics are just three points clear of the dreaded bottom four, but their talented young manager knows where the shortcomings lie.
“The real problem is that we need to finish when we have the chances,” said Johnson.
“We have defended very well in our last two games, but we all know that you need to punish teams when you are on top.”
The Football League’s youngest manager added his high opinion of the manager in the opposite dugout who froze him out so early in his career.
“Vale are a good side with a good manager, especially at this level, having won promotion several times,” said the Oldham manager.
“They can be physical and direct but they can also play. We will have to compete with that and make sure we play our game too.”
Once again, Johnson has a fully-fit squad from which to choose, where on-loan attacking midfielder Gary Harkins is pushing for his first league start.
“I am really enjoying being here,” said the 29-year-old Scot.
“I think we have been unlucky in the games we haven’t won.
“Vale will be tough, they are a good side, but we are confident that we can go there and get the three points.”
Oldham have not lost to Port Vale since 2007, and won the last Vale Park meeting 3-0.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
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