No margin for error left for Oldham in their fight against relegation

Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2018 by PA

Oldham boss Richie Wellens admitted his side have no margin for error in their fight against relegation after a 3-0 home defeat against Southend.

The Latics are in the League One drop zone with two games left to play – at home to Doncaster and away at fellow strugglers Northampton.

Mid-table Southend were in front after just five minutes as Shayon Harrison’s header came back off the post and Theo Robinson converted the rebound.

Oldham wasted a catalogue of chances and were punished in the 52nd minute when Simon Cox scored at the second attempt after his initial effort was only half-saved.

Cox struck again four minutes later, driving home at the far post after Sam Mantom’s break down the left.

Wellens said: “We’ve got two massive games coming up and I believe we need four points to give us a chance.

“There’s no margin for error any more. We’d had a decent run in terms of not losing games, but we need to dust ourselves down and get over it quickly.

“Everyone will be talking about this performance, so I’ve told the players to stay bright, look people in the eye and get the result we need on Saturday.

“We made so many chances and could have scored so many times, but it was a nearly night in front of goal and we didn’t defend at all.

“We were very young defensively and it was probably a game too far because they have played a lot of games in a short space of time.

“It’s really difficult for young lads in those circumstances and I can’t be too hard on them.

“Southend’s strikers have played at a higher level and were a bit too cute and clever. Their movement was too much.”

After a first away win since February, Southend manager Chris Powell said: “I’ve been tossing and turning and I wanted to get rid of our stat of not scoring in the second half.

“We knew Oldham would be fighting for their lives, but it was a terrific all-round performance.

“We showed attacking prowess and real defensive qualities. Even at 3-0 we were getting in the way of shots and protecting our goal.

“We started the game brilliantly, with real intent, and I’m really pleased for the fans who travelled to see it.

“I know Richie Wellens well and obviously you stay friends, but it’s dog eat dog and I needed us to stand up to whatever Oldham threw at us.

“We could have been two or three up before Oldham put us under pressure, but we stuck to the task manfully and kept creating chances at the other end.”