Presumably in an attempt to boost flagging team spirit after a desperately inept performance on Tuesday, the players resurrected the pre-match "huddle" we used to see under O'Driscoll.
With the two Reading lads Pearce and Henry back in the side, Sam Vokes leading the line with Bradbury and Max Gradel returning to league action, I harboured fleeting hopes that we might present both defensive solidity and some attacking threat. However, these were soon dashed when Vokes sustained what looked like a broken rib after a clumsy challenge by a Latics defender and was stretchered off to be replaced by Kuffour.
Most of the first half was pretty dire, to be honest. Neither side looked very creative in the final third, but the visitors were passing the ball better and were frequently quicker to it. However, apart from an acrobatic tip-over by Stewart, we looked fairly solid at the back, with Telfer playing a holding role in midfield where his lack of pace was less likely to be exploited.
At the other end, a piece of trickery by Gradel on the left nearly led to a goal when the Ivorian pulled the ball back from the by-line only for Karacan's shot to be well saved by Crossley. On the other flank, Henry was being well marshalled by Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand who was on loan with us last season.
HT: 0-0
After the break, the manager decided, rather surprisingly, to switch Telfer to right-back and play Cooper in midfield. (Hardly a stroke of tactical genius, as Oldham had some pace on their left wing!)
However, the pattern of the first half continued until ten minutes after the restart when Lee Hughes was given too much time and space by our defenders. The former West Brom man struck a great shot from outside the area, giving Stewart no chance.
We tried to get back into the game, with Pitman replacing the ineffective Bradbury and both Henry and Gradel coming more into the game. But we failed to created any clear-cut chances as Oldham began to look increasingly comfortable, while continuing to pose a threat on the break. Our best effort was a Gradel shot which Crossley saved with his legs. The Latics' second goal ten minutes before the end effectively killed the game. The ever-dangerous Hughes was the provider this time when he crossed from the right for Taylor to out-jump Telfer (not difficult) and head past the helpless Stewart.
As the last vestiges of confidence drained away, we looked a well-beaten side now and the stadium began to empty with astonishing rapidity. However, we still managed to concede an unnecessary penalty when Pearce brought down Taylor after the defence had failed to clear an innocuous throw-in. Hughes duly converted.
"Can we play you every week?" was the chant from the Oldham fans, while at the other end "Bondie out!" was the predictable cry from the few that remained.
Another home defeat, the players' confidence at a low ebb, yet more injuries, no money, the manager under pressure, attendances falling (although not as dramatically as might be expected) - I would have given up hope by now, were it not for our away form. We look a decent team away from home. And hopefully we'll have Anderton back soon. Just a 5% improvement would probably be enough to beat most teams in this division, but something needs to change to bring that about.
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AFCB: Stewart, Gowling, A Pearce, Cooper, Golbourne, Telfer, Henry, Gradel, Karacan, Bradbury, Vokes
Subs: Pryce, Bartley, Kuffour (for Vokes, 19 mins), Pitman (for Bradbury, 58 mins), J Pearce (for Golbourne, 58 mins)
Ellis Griffin, Chertsey