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Emotions differ for managers

Gavin Browne
31/ 3/2008

THERE were mixed emotions from the respective managers after Latics maintained their play-off hopes with a 4-1 win over Huddersfield Town.

While Oldham boss John Sheridan hailed his players' performance, Town manager Andy Ritchie was left using words like 'disgraceful' and 'embarrassing'.

Jason Jarrett (two), Leon Constantine and Chris Taylor all found the net for Athletic, helping them atone for the FA Cup fourth round defeat against Huddersfield at the end of January.

Sheridan said: "It was an excellent performance from start to finish and we could have scored more goals.

"I thought we had some great opportunities to score more goals, we could have had six or seven. Our energy was good and I was well pleased with the lads.

"I'm disappointed to get a goal against us more than anything. I think they had one opportunity early in the game and half a chance in the second half - it's always nice to keep a clean sheet so Mark (Crossley) and the defenders are disappointed."

In contrast, Ritchie cut a downbeat figure after the game and warned some of his players that they were playing for their futures.

He said: "It was absolutely disgraceful, embarrassing. The players should be ashamed of themselves, they haven't even put up a whimper - we were lucky to get away with four.

"The ironic thing is we should have been 1-0 up before they scored. From then, heads dropped completely and I couldn't believe some of the things that were going on.

"We've had a long chat which I think was constructive but how can we go from black to white in such a large way?"