Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson has asked his fans for patience as the winless run in the league now stands at four games.
The Latics travel to Crawley on Saturday, having last weekend earned their first point for nearly a month.
Johnson, buoyed by the return of defensive duo Jonathan Grounds and Genseric Kusunga, remains optimistic in spite of the club’s ‘bad fortune’.
“We haven’t had that bit of luck you need, but certainly we believe it will come,” the young boss insisted.
“I just hope everyone sticks with us. We are going for wins and at times can be a bit exposed.”
Oldham currently sit 16th in the League One table, just three points off the drop zone, but Johnson knows it is still early days in the campaign, and believes his approach to be the right one.
“I stick strong to my beliefs knowing that we are going in the right direction. The longer your team is with you, the more chance you have of success,” he added.
Last week’s goalscorer Charlie McDonald is set to return to his old stomping ground ofCrawley, where he plied his trade between 2003-05, during which time he helped the team gain promotion to the Conference National.
The 28-year-old spoke of his admiration for his former side and insisted that Saturday will be a tough game against difficult opposition.
“Crawley are a threat and definitely a team you need to do your homework on,” he told the club’s website.
“If we can keep their dangerous players quiet, I am sure we can get a positive result and shake off the tag of being brave losers.”
Crawley Town, who sit in 9th place in the table, will be hoping for an improvement of the last meeting of the sides in which Oldham snatched a 2-1 win.
Johnson also found backing from and unlikely source: Crawley manager Richie Barker.
“They are better than what the table says,” he admitted.
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