Caretaker manager Pete Wild is looking forward to taking the reins when Oldham Athletic travel to Port Vale in the Sky Bet League Two fixture tomorrow.
Wild has been with the club for over ten years, including the last five within the academy team and he couldn’t hold back his excitement ahead of the game tomorrow.
However, he does admit that it has been a crazy 24 hours for him.
“From yesterday morning taking the youth team training to coming back to the club and things spiralling from there.” He said.
“It's been a lot to get my head around, but what a great opportunity.
“It's an opportunity you can't turn down, something that I'm really excited to get my hands on and test myself at the next level.
“As long or short as this process may be, it's an opportunity to see how I cope at this level.”
Despite his excitement, he is well aware of the task in hand as he looks to get Latics back on track after back-to-back defeats.
Wild says that the defeats will not affect the team and that the club are still in a strong position in the table even though Latics currently sit 12th in the table.
“I think it's quite clear where the side is at over the past couple of games, we've unfortunately had two defeats, one being a heavy one.” He commented.
“But before that we were on a good run of form and we were seven points off the playoffs and we've got to think like that.
“We're still in the top half of the table and things can change in football quickly.
“The main thing is we get a reaction tomorrow as staff, players and fans, we've all got to get a reaction tomorrow for the good of the club.”
Wild also says the players have responded well to the news and looked good in training ahead of the game.
“The players have been excellent this morning, we had a meeting and outlined our plans going forward.
“They were all great on the training ground, all receptive, very lively and very sharp and hopefully that bodes well for tomorrow.”
Our opponents tomorrow currently sit in 16th in the table after a run of one win in eight games.
Wild believes the best way for Latics to approach the game is to make it all about them rather than concentrating too much what Port Vale may think.
“They aren't on the greatest run of form and they'll look at us tomorrow and think that we're there for the taking.
“We've got to make sure we're on the front foot and impose ourselves on them.
“There will be no bowing down to their physicality, it's all about us tomorrow and the less said about Port Vale the better.
“Yes, we've got to respect them, but we're there to concentrate on us and get that reaction.”
Latics have currently sold 463 tickets for the trip to Port Vale and pay on the day will be available for supporters.
Wild hopes the fans will turn out in their numbers as he looks to pull the club together ahead of the game.
“We as a club owe the fans a reaction tomorrow, we've worked hard today, and we'll work hard tomorrow to get that reaction.
“If you're thinking about going tomorrow please do, let's get down there and get that connection with the fans back.
“It's not just a member of staff, it's not just a player, it's the fans that travel up and down the country in numbers.
“Hopefully your travel will be respected by the result and performance tomorrow.”