Oldham: Player ratings

Gary Carter

June 09, 2009

Reuben Hazell

STAR MAN

REUBEN HAZELL: Mr Consistent was the rock on which a promotion push should have been based. Must now be handed the captain's armband. 9

MARK ALLOTT: Top appearance maker was a steady head in midfield and warranted a new two-year deal. Oldham's directors obviously felt otherwise. 7

CHRIS TAYLOR: Winger earned a deserved place in the League One team of the year. Can Oldham stop the vultures nabbing him? 8

SEAN GREGAN: Joe Royle was not wrong in saying he was the best player of his tenure. Oldham should have kept the veteran. 8

DANNY WHITAKER: Frustrating at home, fantastic away. There is no denying his talent. 7

LEE HUGHES: The one-stop controversy shop finished top scorer but was always heading out. Latics will struggle to replace his goals though. 7

DEANE SMALLEY: Bright future if he applies himself as he did as the season petered out. Must hit the ground running next term. 7

NEAL EARDLEY: Welsh international had a season very much like his side's. Dazzled at the start but fizzled out in the end. 7

LEWIS ALESSANDRA: Hit the heights with hat-trick against Scunthorpe but only scored two more. Needs consistency or may be eclipsed by Ryan Brooke. 6

ANDY LIDDELL: Mainstay of the early push but was eventually sidelined and released. 7

KEVIN MAHER: Travelled north from Southend but never looked settled. Released after just one season and won't live long in the memory. 5

KELVIN LOMAX: Blossomed into a defensive regular that gave Eardley competition for his place. Dave Penney will hope he can continue his progress. 8

DANIEL JONES: Sensational first loan spell. Second stint not as successful but do not be surprised if the Wolves kid returns again. 7

MARK CROSSLEY: The bones may creak, especially in his back, but the veteran keeper could still do it. Oldham may regret releasing him. 7

GREG FLEMING: Undoubted talent but plenty to work on. Remembered most for a red card that meant Dean Windass played in goal at Leicester. 6

STEFAN STAM: Strange end to a strange season for the Dutch defender. Injuries meant he got no consistency and released in bizarre circumstances. 5

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Observer,, Little Owdham ! (09/06/2009 at 13:00)

REUBEN HAZELL - Mr Consistent.

MARK ALLOTT - Nice guy - average footballer not worth 2 year contract - Directors & Manager right.

CHRIS TAYLOR - Whatever happens - Chris Taylor will not want to leave and unless the club get an offer around his true worth I can't see the Directors or Manager forcing him to leave.

SEAN GREGAN - Certainly worth all the comments made about him - But too expensive to give another improved contract, after all he is 36 next birthday and has had his off the pitch problems, good decision by the Directors and the Manager.

DANNY WHITTAKER - Given a fair chance he may come good, can't hope for any consistency when in and out of the team every other match, has another year to make his place good - OR FAIL.

LEE HUGHES - What else can be said ?.... football mercenary, dressing room pain, takes over club !.. yet another good decision firstly by Joe to get him out and secondly by the Directors & Manager to back him.

DEANE SMALLEY -

Observer,, Little Owdham ! (09/06/2009 at 18:56)

DEANE SMALLEY - Given a fair crack of the whip, without being messed about and providing the "BOO BOYS" don't target him again, he will make some player, Latics lucky to still have him.

NEIL EARDLEY - Yet another traget of the "Armcchair Managers"... some of whom do not have a clue !...often subjected to the "BOO BOYS" treatment, but the Management rate him, which is all that matters, was another who was frequently messed about last season, give him chance lads.

LEWIS ALESSANDRA - Another targetted player who often got the unfair treatment and his performances showed at times, with Lewis often looking lost or totally uninterested in the game, needs to develop some faith in himself and his true ability, providing he encouraged rather than slated by the crowd.

ANDY LIDDLE AND KEVIN MAHER - Two of the players showing loss of form and interest, Andy has been a great player and servant to the club, Kevin Maher looked homesick at times.

KELVIN LOMAX - Now here is one to watch, providing he is not messed about by the new Manager, he was often the star in the team last season, but then found himself out of the team under Sheridan, maybe this new man will give him a fair crack this year.

DANIEL JONES - Quality player, but not ours, nothing more to be said really.

MARK CROSSLEY - Great Clubman and asset to the club, however the new Manager has his own Goalkeeping coach, so has no room for Mark, everyone wishes him well and a success at Chesterfield.

GREG FLEMING - Star Goalkeeper in the making, lot to learn yet, but under the care of our new Coach he will start to shine and improve without any doubt, often messed about without any explanation at times last year, like many other players, particularly the more youthful ones, he will be treated fairly from now on and it's up to him to keep the keepers spot !

STEFAM STAM - What a disaster and what a way to treat a quality and very loyal player.

MANY OTHERS WHO SERVED THE CLUB WELL....but not mentioned.

THE DIRECTORS - 75 OUT OF 10 FOR HAVING THE FAITH, SHOWING THEIR INTEREST DESPITE OFTEN PATHETIC CROWDS !!!... well more like a good few !... let us all hope they don't give up, hopefully they will realise soon that many loyal Latics fans have suffered years of insults and offending treatment and simply given up and left, sadly for good it seems.... we can only hope that this season shows some improvement on the inconsistent displays last year.

Good Luck Latics and to all fans (well those good few) KEEP THE FAITH.

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