Oldham Athletic manager Richie Wellens has urged his side to ‘dust themselves off’ and ‘go again on Saturday’ following a tough defeat against Southend United.
Latics were on the wrong end of a 3-0 result at Boundary Park on Tuesday evening.
Despite creating a number of good opportunities the team couldn’t put the ball into the opposition’s net.
“We made a hell of a lot of chances and missed so many chances,” Wellens said.
“There were at least four or five chances where you think it’s a certain goal and they’ve not gone in.
“Three or four times the keeper has saved it and it’s actually got stuck under his feet and you still think it’s gone over the line.
“There were so many crosses, it was a nearly night.
“We did’t defend well at all, but in terms of us trying to score goals it was a nearly night.”
Latics had to rely on a young central defensive partnership following injuries to key men.
It was the first time George Edmundson and Tom Hamer started a league game together for the club.
“In terms of our young lads at the back it was probably a game to far for them in terms of playing so many games in a short space of time,” the manager commented.
“Cox, Robinson and players that have played at a higher level were probably just a little too cute and clever for them. their movement was too much for them.
“We can’t be too hard on them because they are young lads who are making out their careers.
“It’s tough, it can be a lonely place when your hands are tied in terms of the personnel and you can’t change the back four, it’s really frustrating.”
Results elsewhere meant Latics dropped into the relegation zone and are level on points with Rochdale and Walsall but are in the bottom four through goal difference.
Wellens side have two games of the season remaining, starting with the final home match against Doncaster Rovers this weekend.
“We’ve got to go again Saturday,” he said.
“It’s another massive game I believe we’re going to need four points to give us a chance.
“We’ve got Northampton on the last day which is another big game, we’ve got to dust ourselves down and go against Saturday because It’s so important.
“We can’t show our disappointment, everyone will be gutted, but I’ve told them to ‘stick your chests out, look people in the eye, go again and get a result on Saturday’.”