Dino Maamria calls on Oldham to be more clinical after Carlisle defeat

Posted Sunday, September 29, 2019 by PA

Oldham head coach Dino Maamria called on his new side to be more clinical in front of goal after they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Carlisle.

Carlisle won the game with a third-minute strike by on-loan Scunthorpe forward Olufela Olomola, who slotted home from just inside the penalty area after good work by Harry McKirdy.

Maamria said: “We dominated possession 60-40. We dominated every department, but we just didn’t have that cutting edge.”

Maamria said he was convinced there had been a foul in the build-up to the goal.

He added: “It was a free-kick, however, you expect to get nothing and we should look after the ball in the middle of the park.”

The Oldham boss admitted that he may need to bring a forward in to add that vital finish to his side’s build up efforts.

He said: “It’s clear we need a centre forward. I know where I need to strengthen and we will try to bring someone in if we can. We have to be more clinical when we go away from home.

“I’m finding out the character of the players. I’m here to win matches and I will do that.”

Maamria summed up his side’s performance as “some good bits and some bad bits”.

He added: “The game plan was to make sure we stayed in the game and put them under pressure. The way we started was very sloppy. We controlled the game after that and had some brilliant chances.”

Maamria said that “technically the players are good enough” but added: “We should come to these places, with all respect to Carlisle, and win.

“I’m just disappointed for the fans that we didn’t give them the performance they deserved. We owe them one.”

Carlisle’s best chances came early on with Olomola coming close in the opening exchanges before he was denied by the legs of goalkeeper Gary Woods.

Latics had plenty of the ball in midfield without causing the Carlisle defence major worries.

Carlisle manager Steven Pressley said it was “our best defensive performance” of the season and praised the steely approach of his side.

Pressley said: “We started well and showed purpose and intent. There was urgency about us at the beginning but we laboured in the press and didn’t do enough.

“I have no complaints about the work and ethic of the players and there was a good mentality and steel. It was an important three points that keep us in touch with the teams above us.”

Pressley added: “We looked in control. Oldham grew into the game but never really caused us any problems. We managed the second half very well.

“We know we can play better, but the players can take great encouragement from today’s performance.”