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"I have told the players that I don't want us to finish the season slipping down the table - let's finish with a bang instead. There's always something to play for. There are players out of contract or who want improved deals; there's always someone watching and we will be watching them with interest too. Then we have the young players who are fighting for a chance with this football club. There's no such thing as dead games in professional football.
"It's a difficult one, this division is a great leveller and we've seen ourselves struggle against teams at the bottom and then match Peterborough who are flying at the top. Carlisle set a marker by drawing at Leicester; there's no easy games in this league and teams are dangerous when they're fighting for their lives.
"We need a win and I need a win. Our form since Christmas has been relegation form so we need to get back on track quickly. A win is definitely due. Without kidding myself, I think we could've won at Cheltenham and Leyton Orient, and even got something out of the game last week. It's fine lines and we're close, but we aren't keeping clean sheets or scoring enough goals, so there's room for improvement, to say the least.
"We are quietly preparing for next season and the house-keeping has started. I wish I had worked with Andy ten years ago as he was still the best technician here at the age of 35. I only wish I could have given him more games and I have told him I will gladly give him all the references he needs."
Meanwhile Latics central midfielder Kevin Maher told his club's official website :
"It's disappointing that we have fallen away from the top six but now we must simply concentrate on getting as many points as possible from the remaining games. We have a busy Easter weekend coming up with games on Friday and Monday. If we play as we did against Peterborough there's no reason why we can't pick up the points."
In team news for the visitors, midfielder Ian Westlake, on loan from Cheltenham, will miss out with an ongoing concussion problem, while striker Matty Wolfenden is sidelined with a thigh injury that has required vitamin injections. Three other players not in contention for the Latics being defender Kelvin Lomax (dead leg), Chelsea-loanee midfielder Fabio Ferreira (groin) and forward Deane Smalley (hip).
Better news for Oldham though is that Wolverhampton-loanee left-back Daniel Jones might be available as he didn't suffer, as feared, a broken toe in training, heavy bruising on that toe though could still restrict his participation tomorrow. Two players definitely OK however are striker Steve Kabba who has recovered from a hamstring injury and combative centre-half and skipper Sean Gregan who is currently playing through an ankle knock.
Goalkeeper-wise Shane Supple, on loan at Boundary Park from Ipswich, is back in contention after straining his knee ligaments recently, but the game has come too soon for veteran glovesman Mark Crossley who is working his way back from surgery on two bulging discs in his back.
Meanwhile Oldham's fourth goalkeeper, Josh Bell, has been told that his contract will not be renewed next season, his spot at Boundary Park for the 2009-10 campaign being taken by YTS keeper Josh Ollerenshaw who has recently been awarded a professional deal with the Latics alongside Ryan Brooke, Liam Dawson and Chris Rowney.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Kevin Wright from Cambridgeshire, and he will be assisted down the lines by Darren Bond from Wigan and Richard Clark from Morpeth in Northumberland. Meanwhile the fourth official is Peter Wright from Lancashire.