Latics' double swoop ahead of weekend double header

On the eve of their Bank Holiday Weekend National League double-header, Latics have swooped to sign two new players.

Ahead of tonight's (Friday) home clash against Aldershot and Monday's trip to York City, Latics boss John Sheridan has captured defender Mitchell Roberts on loan from Birmingham City and the experienced Oscar Threlkeld on loan from Bradford City.

Threlkeld (28) can operate as a holding midfield player and at right-back, but is also comfortable in the centre of the defence.

He arrives at Boundary Park on a deal until until January 2.

He has spent the last campaign at Valley Parade, prior to which he played for two seasons at Salford City, both in Sky Bet League Two.

“I’m pleased to have completed the addition of a good player in an important position,” said Sheridan.

“I probably see Oscar as more of a defensive midfielder, but he can play across the back-line and in a back three, so he offers good versatility.

“Oscar brings with him a great deal of experience, he is a smart operator and will add a lot of strength and steel to the side.”

Twenty-one-year-old Roberts, who has enjoyed loans with Harrogate and Carlisle in recent seasons, arrives at Boundary Park on a deal until January 1.

A left-footed defender who can operate at full-back, wing-back and in the centre of the defence, Roberts has spent the past 11 years at St Andrews as he has progressed through the youth ranks and adds further defensive options to the squad.

Sheridan added: “Mitch is a very capable young defender who has built up a good reputation at Birmingham, he has a solid reading of the game and can use the ball well.

“He is tall and athletic, gives us good balance and has a lot of the qualities a manager looks for in a modern defender."

Latics will be hoping to bounce back tonight following back-to-back defeats in the league against Wealdstone and Southend.

Sheridan said: "I'm happy with the manner in which we lost those two games.

"I've expressed my feelings to the players, and they know we've got to do a lot, lot better.

"We've got to be quicker, harder to break down and harder to play against.

"The stats show that we just didn't work hard enough in those two games, so have to do better."

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