We look ahead to the game at Boundary Park
OLDHAM V GILLINGHAMSky Bet League One
Boundary Park
Saturday February 22
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Ryan Inniss will be unavailable for the trip to Oldham after picking up a hamstring injury during the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Wednesday.
Leon Legge is likely to deputise at centre back with Callum Davies available as cover. Elliott Hewitt missed the midweek fixture due to illness but, should he return, it could see Michael Harriman return to the right side of midfield.
Danny Kedwell is still at least a week away from first team action.
As for Oldham they will be without defender Genseric Kusunga who was sent off against MK Dons last weekend and will serve the first of a two match ban.
Boss Lee Johnson is likely to be without Captain Korey Smith due to injury, however he has no other concerns to contend with.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor was disappointed with the defeat midweek but is hoping his players will bounce back at the first time of asking and record back to back away wins.
Speaking after the Blades game he said:
“It’s another tough game, I went to see them last Saturday and they are a good team.
“They got a result here and impressed me so we know we have a hard match, but we will be up for it and the lads will have a good rest.”
Lee Johnson told Oldham's club website: “Peter Taylor has gone into the club and done really well. They've lost a few but they have got wins without drawing many.
"It's an important game for us. We need everyone to be lively on and off the pitch with the supporters. It's a good game for us to play at a high tempo.”
Oldham
The Gaffer – Lee Johnson
Lee, son of Yeovil Town boss Gary, took the managerial hot seat at Boundary Park in March of last year following the sacking of Paul Dickov.
He steered the club away from relegation and is now taking charge of his first full season as a Manager in the Football League.
As a player he came through the youth ranks at Arsenal before short spells at Watford and Brighton, where he scored his first goal in his only appearance for the club against Cardiff in the Football League Trophy.
He joined up with his father at Yeovil and enjoyed five good years at the club, achieving two promotions and winning `Player of the Year` three years running.
A spell at Hearts preceded another long stay at Bristol City, where Gary Johnson was again the Manager. In 2012 he joined Kilmarnock and made it to the Scottish Cup Final, but Celtic inflicted a 1-0 defeat.
The Skipper – Korey Smith
Korey began his career at Norwich City and captained the Academy side before making his first team debut in April 2009 against Sheffield Wednesday in a 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road.
The 23-year-old midfielder enjoyed loan spells at Barnsley and Yeovil before joining Oldham, initially on loan in March 2013, prior to making the move permanent in the summer.
Korey has made 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring just one goal at home to Mansfield in the FA Cup.
One to Watch – Danny Philliskirk
Danny is Oldham’s top scorer having netted 11 times in 32 games. However going in to the match the forward has only found the net once in 10 outings, that coming two weeks ago at home to Bristol City.
The 22-year-old signed for the club in the summer from Coventry City having appeared in just one league game for the Sky Blues.
In his youth days he represented the England U17 side on three occasions.
Oldham – the season so far
Oldham go in to Saturday’s game 16th in Sky Bet League One, just three points above the relegation zone, although only four short Gillingham who occupy 12th spot.
The Latics had a slow start to the campaign, winning just two of their opening ten league games before a fantastic run before Christmas saw them go nine games unbeaten.
They have claimed one win in their last four outings, that coming in a 1-0 victory at Swindon Town earlier in the month.
In the cup competitions Oldham were eliminated in the first round of the Capital One Cup after a 1-0 defeat at home to Derby County. In the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy the Latics made it to the Northern Area Final but were beaten by Chesterfield on penalties.
Finally in the FA Cup Oldham were knocked out in the third round following a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Previous Meetings:
The clubs last met earlier this season at MEMS Priestfield Stadium when a 57th minute strike from Michael Petrasso was enough to seal all three points for the visitors in a game which saw few clear cut opportunities created.
Kusunga received a red card in the second half after reacting angrily to a challenge by Danny Kedwell, but the hosts were unable to make the most of their numerical advantage and Oldham held on for maximum points.
In total the two sides have met on 40 separate occasions – of those Oldham edge the head to head statistics with 20 wins to their name. Gillingham have won 16 with just four matches resulting in a draw.
Current Form:
Oldham: LWLWDL (7 points)
Gills: WLWLWL (9 points)
Betting:
Sky Bet, the Football League’s official sponsor, are offering odds of 14/5 for Gills to bounce back and claim all three points on Saturday.
The hosts, who beat Gills 1-0 at Priestfield earlier in the season, are slight favourites with the bookies at 19/20 with a draw 5/2.
Should you fancy an outside bet then a repeat of Joe Pigott's opening goal in a 2-1 in our last away game against Carlisle delivers a return of 60/1.
To register an account and place a bet for the weekend's game visit www.skybet.com/gillingham
Officials:
Referee - MICK RUSSELL
Assistants - Kevin Mulraine and Wayne Porter
Fourth Official - Anthony Tankard