Preview: Swans vs Oldham

So we suffered our first league defeat after an 8-match unbeaten run and our rivals think our bubble has burst! Saturday's match was a poor game to watch and we lost because of a single goal 6 minutes before the break, a goal that should have been defended, but it's pointless dwelling on that now!

Both Southend and Huddersfield won their games this week and go above us in the league as we slip to 3rd. It was obvious we missed Akinfenwa's strength and heighth up front at Yeovil and Jackett had to use veteran striker Kevin Nugent to become our target man in the 2nd half. Adrian Forbes struggled in the air while Andy Robinson didn't make the impact we all hoped for. The Swans should bounce back from the defeat and talk of our bubble bursting is simply ridiculous. We simply didn't perform, just like our other 2 visits at Huish Park. Last season's League 2 champions are a club that must relish the day when we visit them! We are still yet to score there and jacks are becoming more and more fed up and uninterested about visiting the place when the fixture comes around! Hopefully our crowds won't drop too much after one defeat but you never know with us. Just short of 15,000 last time, we should still get around 13,000 at least along with a mini bus load of visiting Oldham fans.

Ronnie Moore, Oldham Athletic Manager:

'As a pairing you are not going to get much better, they compliment each other in many different ways.

'I don't think Trundle himself knows how much ability he's got, some of the goals he scores are created from nothing and he is a definite threat from set plays.

'Akinfenwa came here last year and knocked Guy Branston all over the place, not many people can get away with that. He's big and strong and he has a decent touch for a big man.'

"We're down to 15 fit players and we're having to include three kids to make the squad up to 18," Moore told PA Sport.

"But that's the way it goes. We won't complain and just have to get on with it."

In terms of team news, Akinfenwa is available again following a one-match suspension and will provide some power and heighth up front that we desperately needed at Yeovil to get an equaliser. Ricketts is available again after 2 matches for Wales but after being benched for Wednesday night's game, Jackett could put him back into the starting line-up. The defender who will be dropped if that does happen is anyone's guess but with Monk being dropped recently, he is the most likely candidate.

Connor, McLeod and Tudur-Jones remain injured but should all be back in time for the trip to Rotherham next Saturday.

Lee Trundle. It would have to be our top scorer. He's scored 10 in 11 games and won September's Player of the Month award for League One. Akinfenwa is also a handful with his strength and power.

Oldham have defensive problems as Gareth Owen was stretchered of during last weekend's defeat against 10-man Brentford while fellow defender Stefan Stam is also out along with Mark Bonner and Chris Swailes.

Midfielder Richard Butcher has returned to Lincoln after a disappointing loan spell.

Can't say I know too much about our opposition for for this section I'll put down their top scorer, Andy Liddell who's scored 4 goals in 13 games.

Oldham are another side that haven't really kicked off their season. 15th in the table and their last 2 games include a 1-0 home defeat against Brentford and a 4-0 thumping away at Barnsley.

Previous Matches against Oldham:

21st Sep 1993 (H) W 2-1
6th Oct 1993 (A) L 0-2
20th Nov 1999 (A) L 0-1
4th Nov 2000 (A) D 1-1
21st Apr 2001 (H) L 1-2

I won't be surprised if we see a majority, if not all Swans fans predicting a positive outcome for this match. We're at home, have our players back which means improved and extra attacking options. I'm going for a 2-1 home win.

Tuesday, 18 October 2005
LDV Vans Trophy
Torquay v Swansea, 19:45

Saturday, 22 October 2005
Rotherham v Swansea

Saturday, 29 October 2005
Swansea v Chesterfield

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