Micky Mellon has described the Oldham-Rochdale derby as a special fixture he has grown to love. The Oldham Athletic manager is looking forward to the fifth edition of the rivalry under his tenure this weekend, a game detailed in our upcoming fixtures.
Mellon admitted he was not aware of the derby's significance before arriving at Boundary Park. That changed quickly ahead of his first game in charge, a seven-goal thriller on October 21, 2023, which Oldham won 4-3. "I soon learned it was a big game," he said. "It had a lovely bit of spice and a lovely bit of competition."
Now, he is a firm advocate for the fixture. "This is a cracking derby," Mellon stated. "I love these games. I can't wait to go and get involved."
He emphasised the importance of a full stadium and passionate support, something his team will have in abundance. Oldham have sold out their away allocation for the third consecutive match, meaning around 2,000 fans will travel to Spotland. "We will have 2,000 people going over there to give us that energy," Mellon added. "If we can use that positively then all good."
The game comes at a key moment. Oldham sit 14th in League Two with seven points from six games, having lost their last two matches. Their next fixture is against Rochdale, who currently prop up the table in 24th place with just two points. Mellon is clear about the objective. "We desperately want to get a result in this game," he said.
Mellon sees all derbies as equally special and is eager for another intense contest. His side will look to harness their travelling support to improve a recent run of form that reads one win, one draw and three defeats from the last five. The manager will be hoping key players from the squad can step up, especially as the team seeks to convert more of their chances, an area fans can analyse in depth on the club's stats page. A victory could provide a significant boost in the standings for Mellon's men.
Reflecting on the broader picture, Mellon noted the unique pressure and excitement such local clashes generate, believing they are a true test of character for his team.
This story first appeared at theoldhamtimes.co.uk
