Oldham Preview

Crewe travel to Oldham for the second time this season. The occasion this time is the 2nd round of the FA Cup.

After a great 2-1 win at home to MK Dons, Crewe's reward the following Sunday was a pairing with either Doncaster and Oldham. After drawing 1-1 in the original tie, the two teams went to the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, for the replay. It was a home banker according to the bookies but Oldham defied the odds to come from behind and win the tie 2-1 - with 10 men.

Four days later and they welcome the mighty Crewe Alexandra to their ground...

Captain Cox told the official site:

'The FA Cup is obviously special, to be part of a club that has got to the final, it's obviously a good experience. There is going to be no giant killing, which is no pressure for both teams really, but whoever comes through will be looking forward to the draw on Sunday.

Oldham have suffered a similar fate with loan players as we did this week. Chelsea youngsters Trotman and Bertrand haven't been given permission to play in the FA Cup for Oldham.

Sean Gregan is injured for the Latics whilst Lee Hughes is a doubt.

If declared fit, the former jailbird could be about to reek havoc on us yet again. With a goal ratio vs the Alex at an absurd level, two goals at the weekend for Oldham puts him in good form. Urgh.

Centre back Julien Baudet looks set to surprise the coaching staff by declaring himself fit enough to face his former club. It'll be a great boost in a week that saw loanee David Gray denied the chance to make his FA Cup debut by Man Utd.

Another defender looking to return from injury is Danny O'Donnell, who looks likely to make the bench.

Meanwhile, striker Nicky Maynard will almost certainly make his long awaited return to first team action since breaking his leg. The 20 year old was named on the bench last week at Forest but wasn't used.

Schumacher, Miller and Pope are all out.

Possible 11: Ben Williams, Billy Jones, Chris McCready, Julien Baudet, Danny Woodards, Byron Moore, Ben Rix, Neil Cox, Gary Roberts, Ryan Lowe, Simon Church

If Maynard returns to action tomorrow it'll be a massive boost for Crewe. After 19 goals in 30 games last season, everyone will be looking to him for hope.

Last time at Oldham we squandered a 2-0 lead in the final minutes to lose 3-2. A game we want to forget about.

Oldham 1-1 Crewe

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