Scholes relieved to get first win as manager of Oldham

Posted Wednesday, February 13, 2019 by PA

New Oldham manager Paul Scholes was relieved to get his career in the dugout up and running with a win.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who admitted he had endured a sleepless night just hours before his Monday appointment, oversaw a 4-1 win over League Two strugglers Yeovil in his first match in charge at Boundary Park.

Jose Baxter and Callum Lang scored in the space of a few minutes either side of half-time to give him the perfect start.

But it required two goals in the final two minutes from Mohamed Mouche and Christopher Missilou to ease the nerves after Bevis Mugabi had reduced the deficit.

“It’s a relief and I may get some sleep tonight,” said Scholes, who lives just a few minutes’ drive from his boyhood club.

“After the game, I said ‘Well done’. It was a tough night and not really a 4-1 game but I was proud with the way they battled

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the (Yeovil) goal but pleased with the way they played on a tough pitch.

“Jose’s goal came at a great time just before half-time and that made us relax a little bit.

“The second goal was a good goal again but the goal conceded makes you wary but to get two goals late on just topped it off nicely.”

At 2-0 the hosts looked comfortable but once they conceded, within three minutes of doubling their lead, the game was in the balance until two late, long-range strikes put a gloss on the scoreline.

“That’s what I want. I want them to express themselves and enjoy themselves. Fans want entertainment and that’s what we gave them,” added Scholes.

“It’s a place I’ve come as a fan and I know you excite them when you entertain them.”

Victory lifted Oldham to 11th, six points from the play-offs, with two home matches to come.

“There’s a chance of the play-offs but I’m not looking far ahead,” said Scholes.

“We’ll look at Crewe first on Saturday. I knew there was talent in the side and they’ve shown it.”

Yeovil boss Darren Way admits a fifth successive defeat, and 12th in the last 17 league games, was hard to take.

“The players have taken responsibility in the dressing room; you can imagine when you concede four the players are down but we have to make sure we stick together,” he said.

“Every loss is making a huge dent on the players. I don’t want them to get emotional at each other in a personal way.

“We hit the post and then found ourselves 2-0 down and that’s frustrating.

“When the anxiety and panic sets in you get punished and that is clearly what happened.”