Johnson issues warning
Lee Johnson is looking to build on last weekend’s win against Port Vale in Sky Bet League 1 as Latics prepare to entertain Tranmere Rovers this afternoon.
Back-to-back victories at Boundary Park will be the perfect send off as four of Latics’ five fixtures in September are on the road.
Latics’ manager says they are striving to play all their games at a tempo similar to the one against the Valiants and believes this team will only get better.
And Johnson was pleased with the way in which his side coped with Vale’s direct style of play which made the win even more special in terms of the development of his group of young players.
Johnson is looking forward to doing battle with Ronnie Moore, a manager at the opposite end of the managerial spectrum as he is vastly experienced.
Latics’ rookie manager will not be taking Tranmere lightly in view of the disappointing start to the season, though they knocked Championship club Bolton Wanderers out of the Capital One Cup in midweek.
Johnson said: "They say beware of the wounded animal. We watched them in their last two league games when, on each occasion, they had a man sent off.
"Up to the point of them having somebody sent off, they were playing well. Peterborough (who beat Tranmere 5-0 away last Saturday) are spanking everybody at the moment and made our 2-1 look a great result.
"I was at Tranmere’s cup game against Bolton and they played very well and have that belief back. They beat a good Bolton side fair and square."
LAST MEETINGS
League One
November 10th, 2012: Latics 0, Tranmere 1
March 9th, 2013: Tranmere 1, Latics 0
LAST MATCH
August 24th, 2013: League One, Latics 3, Port Vale 1
August 27th, 2013: Capital One Cup, second round, Tranmere 1, Bolton 1 (Tranmere won on pens)
TEAM NEWS
Latics will be without injured right-back Connor Brown while new signings Matteo Lanzoni and Albert Rusnak make their debuts in the squad. Tranmere have Ryan Lowe, Akpo Sodje, Joe Thompson and Andre Jones back after injury with Andy Robinson and James Wallace the only absentees.
MAN TO WATCH
Midfield man Joe Thompson has caught the eye with some impressive displays.
TOP SCORERS
Jose Baxter (2), Adam Rooney (2) for Latics. Joe Thompson (2) for Tranmere.
CONNECTIONS
Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore was Latics’ manager in 2006/07.
TICKET PRICES
George Hill Main Stand Upper: Adults £20, concessions £10
George Hill Main Stand Lower: Adults £19, concessions £9
The Verlin Stand: Adults £20, concessions £10, under-12's £5.
Zen Office Chaddy End: Adults £20, concessions £10, under-12's £5.
Ambulant disabled and wheelchair users are £20 with free carer.