Manager Richie Wellens is looking forward to being back in front of the SportsDirect.com Park crowd this weekend following three consecutive away trips.
Latics picked up one point in the league on their travels and advanced through to the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night but the manager is excited to be back at home for the visit of Northampton Town.
He said: “We were brilliant in our last home game. We passed the ball around and created a number of opportunities but we couldn’t take our chances against Wimbledon.
“The game before was Rochdale and that was a great atmosphere so I’m looking forward to getting back out in front of the home crowd and hopefully they can push us on. It’s an important game for us so we hope to get them the three points.
“Lewis McGugan has played at a higher level and is Northampton’s main threat. They have Grimes on loan from Swansea and they have got some good players, as has everyone in this league.
“This game at home with the way we playing, its all about us. We need to move the ball quickly, open the game up and take our chances now. Let’s start converting chances and get back to scoring three or four goals again.”
The game also marks the club’s Emergency Services Day where over 400 tickets have been handed out between the police, ambulance, fire service and Royal Oldham Hospital.
“It’s great that we are doing such a day,” commented Wellens.
“Take away what has happened in recent times in this area, they do a great job anyway. You go back to the recent bombing in Manchester and then you put into context what everyone is doing.
“A bomb has gone off and the emergency services are willing to run into a dangerous area, not knowing what is going to happen next, and willing to save peoples lives and get people out of there.
“It shows so much bravery and I have massive respect for them. I hope they come and enjoy their day because they deserve it.”
Ryan McLaughlin made his long awaited return to first team action on Tuesday night against Bradford City and he is in contention for this weekend’s game against Northampton Town.
“He is a top lad and brilliant player,” Wellens said. “He is a player who can play higher and is a real asset to the club.
“He gives us something different and you can play him in a number of positions. He’s got good pace and he is a player who is good to have back in the team.”