Lennie: "Oldham XI is no foregone conclusion"

Lawrence
By Sean Wozencroft
August 5 2002

Lennie Lawrence was pleased with his team's performance against Bolton, but he is still insisting that the starting line-up for Oldham is not a foregone conclusion.

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Two second half strikes from Thorne and Gabbidon turned the game around, giving victory to the mighty Bluebirds. However, City boss Lennie Lawrence says that there are still a number of things he needs to sort out before the start of the real thing on Saturday.

"Don't rule anyone out. Just because players haven't played much football recently doesn't mean they will be ruled out," said Lawrence, speaking to the Western Mail.

"We all know there are five or six who will definitely play. As for the rest, we'll have to wait and see. In these friendlies I've learned what I can and what I can't do.

"I've had my dress rehearsals - now I must decide, but there are still a few things to sort out.

"I've got a squad of 22 and I'm pretty clear what I'm going to be doing, but you'll have to wait until Saturday to see what that is."

One of Lawrence's biggest decisions he has to make is who he will play in attack. He doesn't think that Campbell and Earnshaw can play together, and perhaps that was confirmed against Bolton when City looked far more threatening with Leo Fortune-West on the pitch.

"I thought Earnshaw and Campbell did their bits and pieces," said Lawrence. "I thought both played better than against Wolves."

"This win is a confidence booster. To use an old saying, it's a funny old game because Bolton are a class outfit but we won in the end," added Lawrence.

"They showed some Premiership touches. We're not used to teams having that much ball. But it was a good education for my players.

"The substitutes had a beneficial effect. All the subs did well. The way we conceded the goal is concerning but it's been a hard week.

"We've had three games in six days plus a long journey back from Scotland. It's been physically tiring and to score two goals in the last quarter of an hour is pleasing."

With just five days to go, the excitement is building. There will be full build-up to the game on this site. If you require directions to Boundry Park, please click here.