Looking to improve on a frustrating campaign

LEE CROFT

THE PLAYERS put so much into the last few weeks of the season.

We came unstuck in our last two games, but it was never a case of us sacking them off. That would be unprofessional and disrespectful to the club and the supporters.

Perhaps having achieved safety from relegation, the guard came down a little subconsciously.

That was never our intention, but in this division we know that we are unlikely to get anything unless we are 100 per cent sharp. The stress and worry of the relegation battle was behind us and that might have played a part in our defeats at Millwall and then at home to Coventry.

Looking back over the season on a personal level, I would say it has been a frustrating one.

I started off playing regularly, before injury struck and led me to miss more than two months.

It took a while to get back in the side, though by the time the season ended I was back playing and enjoying it, too.

When you are not in the side, it gives you that extra hunger to be playing again. Personally, I would like there to be a few more games left.

That is not the case and now I am left to concentrate on next season, when I am 100 per cent hoping to be an Oldham player again.

It is a case of looking after myself, getting fit and working hard in pre-season.

With the majority of lads in a similar position to me, in discussions with the club over contracts, I believe that they want to stay here and to become part of what the
manager is trying to build.