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Preview: Oldham v Cheltenham

Neil Barker
22/ 8/2008

HOME-SPUN hero Chris Taylor is living a football dream with Oldham Athletic.

The local lad's two goals gave the unbeaten Latics a great win over Leeds at Elland Road last week.

Taylor caught the eye of club scouts as a 16-year-old striker playing local junior football for Springhead, where he was banging in goals for fun.

Latics snapped him up and he was loaned out to Barrow. On his return to Boundary Park, he fought his way into the first team and his great form this season has generated a buzz of excitement among the Latics' faithful.

Taylor is an unassuming young player determined to make his mark in the pro game and he has a fine tutor in manager John Sheridan.

The Oldham manager is delighted with Taylor's sparkling form, but he has a down-to-earth directive for the Latics' young gun ahead of tomorrow's home game with Cheltenham.

Sheridan said: "Chris has done well. He should score even more goals with the way he plays."

Oldham kicked off the new campaign with a thrilling home win over Millwall and outlined their intentions at Elland Road last week.

Exciting

Sheridan added: "Our opening games have been exciting and we have got the results we have wanted. What has pleased me is the attitude and the will to win.

"We have stood firm as a group and we've showed our character.

"The team will pick itself if the lads keep performing.

"I'm certainly not getting carried away because there is a long way to go, but our home form will be vital this season.

"Cheltenham will be strong and well organised tomorrow and they'll come here thinking they can take something from the game.

"Our results have however given us the start we all wanted. I made it quite clear we needed it to start strongly."

Defender Reuben Hazell said: "All the lads are naturally upbeat. We are certainly not underestimating Cheltenham. This is a danger game after winning at Leeds but these are the games we need to win if we are to do something this season."

Hazel is enjoying playing alongside the experienced Sean Gregan in the centre of defence. He added: "Sean is our captain and our leader. We seem to complement each other.

"We need to be strong at the back this season, we have never lacked belief and we have to take this kind of belief into the match with Cheltenham."

Veteran star Andy Liddell said: "This is a good club with some very good players. I really do think we could be there or thereabouts."

Latics have agreed a three-year kit deal with Carbrini, part of JD Sports.

League form: WW

Key opponent: Jennison Myrie-Williams - Young striker starting to make his mark

Prediction: Oldham 2 Cheltenham 1 - Home advantage should edge it for the Latics

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 7/1 on Oldham winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.