Latics looking for a swift exit from National League drop zone

Latics face an early-season 'six-pointer' tomorrow, as they head south to take on Maidstone United.

Still struggling under boss David Unsworth, Latics slipped into the National League drop zone last weekend when they were beaten at home by Barnet.

That was a third straight defeat, with Latics having won just once in nine games since Unsworth took over from John Sheridan in September.

However, Latics will move out of the bottom four if they secure a victory tomorrow, as Maidstone are just a point and a place above them in the standings.

Maidstone won at Scunthorpe last time out, but that was a first success since way back in August.

Unsworth said: “It’s a long season, quite quickly you can turn things around.

"I’ve been in this position before as a player and two or three wins on the bounce will get you comfortable.

"It’s not a word I enjoy, but I’d enjoy a little bit of comfort at the moment because the club’s desperate for it.”

Latics will at least be boosted by the addition of Ellis Chapman tomorrow, as he has completed a loan move from Cheltenham Town until December 17.

The 21-year-old midfielder has spent the last two years at Whaddon Road, featuring in their promotion campaign from League Two having progressed through the academy at Leicester City.

Unsworth said: “We’ve been watching Ellis for a while now, he’s a player with great pedigree and knows how to get promoted.

“We thought we might have got Ellis in last week but we couldn’t get the deal done in time.

"He’s here now and we’re really looking forward to working with him.

“He can play wide or inside, he’s got a great left foot, he knows how to get goals and assists, and we’re delighted to get another quality player over the line.

“We’re at the stage now where I want to get a settled team and a settled way of playing which suits the players we’ve got.”

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.