Football Season Guide

Oldham are coming from a season that started with promise but ended in disappointment, as their play-off campaign fell completely off the rails following the departure of their highly-rated manager Lee Johnson to Barnsley. Dean Holden took charge from Johnson on an interim basis, but it was hardly a surprise when the Latics announced that they would not be making him his new permanent boss, as the results recorded under him were underwhelming. Oldham have decided to go with the approach that worked with Johnson and give someone without managerial experience a chance, as Darren Kelly, who has only retired from playing this summer, has been named their new boss and will be given the tough task to rebuild a side that completely lost its identity following the departure of their previous manager. Oldham have not lost any important players during the summer, but the list of their arrivals is packed with deals that can be best described as hopeful punts, as their summer incoming transfers have been a mix of players who are unproven at League One level and players who need to get their careers back on track, such as Jake Cassidy and David Dunne. When it comes to their playing squad, Oldham have not changed too much during the summer, but there is a big question mark hanging over their identity, as Johnson is known for playing a brand of football that not many lower league managers can replicate. It remains to be seen whether the popular perception of Johnson getting Oldham to punch above their weight is correct.