Football Season Guide

The decision to install the 31-year-old Lee Johnson as the manager of an Oldham side battling against the drop raised a lot of eyebrows, but was vindicated in the short run, as the young manager managed to fulfill his first task and steer the Latics to safety. Johnson's second task is a far more difficult one, as he spent the summer reshaping the squad in order to make the Latics stronger and make sure they have nothing to do with relegation in the upcoming season. Skipper Dean Furman, who spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Doncaster, has now signed for the Rovers permanently, while giant striker Matt Smith has joined Leeds. Keepers Alex Cisak and Dean Bouzanis also left to explore pastures new, while Johnson opted to release five players, including Lee Croft and Jean-Yves M'Voto, who were regulars last season. Eight new players have signed - Charlie MacDonald and Korey Smith are both solid and proven players at League One level, Jonson Clarke-Harris has also played in the division without impressing, but the other players that joined are complete unknowns in the third tier, and whether they will prove their worth in this division is anyone's guess. The player to watch will certainly be Jose Baxter, who is the envy even of League One clubs that are fighting for promotion, and a lot will depend on whether he will be able to replicate his fine last season's form. The only thing that is certain at the moment is that Oldham are one of the big unknowns of League One going into the new season, and at least a few rounds will need to pass in order for Johnson's squad overhaul to be judged.