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Good three points, but can do better

Gavin Browne
24/11/2008

JOHN Sheridan was happy with the three points if not the overall performance after watching his Oldham Athletic side win 2-1 at Southend United.

Facing a home team with only one defeat in 13 games, Athletic trailed to James Walker's 53rd minute goal before securing victory with two goals in four minutes from Chris Taylor and Lee Hughes.

Sheridan said: "It was a steady away performance. We can play a lot better but you can't moan when you come here and get three points.

"There were one or two things we can improve on but we looked solid against a team with a good home record.

"The tempo of the game was very poor in the first half. I just wanted a spark from someone but I thought we did well in the second half and caused them one or two problems.

"I didn't think we worked too hard to keep the ball (in the first half) and they were getting too much possession for my liking.

"I said at half-time we needed to up the game and the tempo because it was there if they wanted it."

The three points kept Latics one place outside the play-offs, albeit only four points behind leaders Leicester City. With Walsall visiting Boundary Park on Tuesday, Sheridan is looking for his players to put the sort of run together that could give them Championship football next season.

He said: "It's very tight. I said at the start of the season there'll be 12 teams who think they can get out of this division.

"There'll be lots of twists and turns but we have to worry about ourselves. It's important we get a run together because if you go on a run, you get yourself in a decent position."