Oldham Athletic face Swindon Town at Boundary Park this weekend, a fixture previewed by Vavel on Thursday. The Latics will be boosted by the availability of defender Gus Scott-Morriss after his red card against Colchester United was overturned.
Oldham currently sit 12th in League Two with three points from their opening two games, a win and a loss giving them a LW form pattern. They have scored three goals and conceded two, leaving them with a +1 goal difference and three points behind the early leaders, Barnet. You can track their progress in the standings.
What does the Scott-Morriss decision mean?
The rescinding of Gus Scott-Morriss's red card is a significant boost for manager Micky Mellon's defensive options. Scott-Morriss was sent off during the 2-1 defeat to Colchester United, but the decision has been reversed following a review. His availability strengthens the back line for a Swindon side that has scored seven goals in two matches, though they have also conceded six. Mellon will now have his first-choice defender available for selection.
How have Oldham started the season?
Oldham's season began with a solid 2-0 away victory at Port Vale on the opening day. They followed that with a 2-1 home defeat to Colchester. The three goals scored so far have come from different sources, indicating a spread of threat. Defensively, conceding just twice in two games is a platform to build upon, especially with a key defender now available. Their current position and goal difference reflect a team still finding its rhythm in the early stages.
What is the challenge against Swindon?
Swindon Town present a specific challenge. They are a side capable of scoring goals but have also shown defensive vulnerability, conceding six times already. This could create an open game at Boundary Park. Oldham's task will be to contain Swindon's attack while exploiting those defensive weaknesses. The midfield battle will be important in controlling the tempo of the match. A win could see the Latics climb into the top half of the table.
What other League Two games are happening?
The weekend's action includes a top-of-the-table clash as leaders Barnet host Cheltenham. The other unbeaten side, Crewe Alexandra, travel to Port Vale. There is also a notable managerial return as Steve Evans takes Bristol Rovers to face his former club Crawley Town. Several other fixtures, including Grimsby against Fleetwood and Tranmere's trip to Newport, complete a full schedule. Fans can plan their viewing with our fixtures page.
For Oldham, the immediate focus is on securing a second win of the campaign. Having Scott-Morriss back is a positive step as they look to build consistency and close the three-point gap to the summit. The squad's depth and current form will be tested over the coming weeks.
