The extension of United’s winning run to three games at the weekend came at the expense of Oldham’s own resurgence in form, as the hosts lost for the first time since John Sheridan made his return to Boundary Park.
“I don’t think it matters who it’s against, it’s just about getting results,” manager Paul Simpson said. “Unfortunately for Oldham they were the next ones we’ve gone and done it against.
“I think John Sheridan’s got a real fighting spirit amongst them, you can see they’ve got a threat with people like Sam Hart, with Nicky Adams and the quality he puts in, Hallam Hope is a willing runner, but I thought we dealt with a lot of things really well.
“I was slightly more happy with our football that we played, and next week’s a week where we can have two or three days of getting them used to playing football and building and feeling more comfortable, and hopefully the results will make them feel more comfortable as well.”
On the manner of the win, coming with almost the last meaningful touch of the game, he added: “I knew I’d heard the fourth official say there was 10 seconds, so your mind’s saying blow your whistle!
“I’d lost it for about 10 or 15 seconds after Morgan’s goal, then I’m having to scream at Omari to get himself out to do the job I’d asked him and Gibbo to carry on what he’d been doing for the last 15 minutes.
“We’d just made a little change to secure it, to make sure we got at least a point out of it. I also knew he could be a threat out there against their right-back and stop him getting forward.
“I thought Gibbo could give Hart a few problems, who I thought played really well, Sam Hart. Overall it’s just a feeling.
“The first feeling’s probably delight but quickly gets taken over by sheer relief, that we’ve got through another game and manged to get three points.”
And the reward for the players could well be that they’re given back the day off they lost when the new boss took post.
“To be honest, yes, they are getting an extra day because I took a day away from them when I came in,” he confirmed.
“I said they had to work on the Thursday, so they’ll get an extra day this week. I told them to enjoy the win, I don’t want any negative stuff coming out, I just want loads of positivity, them enjoying time with their families - which they’ve missed out on - but come back in ready and the focus has to be on Northampton.
“I really think Brunton Park could be bouncing next weekend and we’ve got to keep it bouncing. This will be a tough game, they’re a good side, they’re up there at the top of the table for a reason.
“We’ve got to keep the momentum, try and keep building, be as consistent as long as we possibly can, deal with a setback like we did today, and hopefully we’ll be ok.”
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