Oldham V Everton at Boundary Park : Match Preview

16 February 2013 10:55
Oldham V Everton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Croft: Latics would dedicate win to Dickov

Oldham midfielder Lee Croft says if his side can claim their second Merseyside FA Cup scalp of 2013 they will dedicate it to former manager Paul Dickov.

As the former Manchester City man and his team-mates prepare to face Everton in the televised clash at Boundary Park the 27-year-old paid tribute to Dickov, who oversaw a giantkilling victory over Liverpool in the previous round.

Just a week after the Latics enjoyed a stunning 3-2 victory against Brendan Rogers' men, Dickov departed the club after two and a half years in charge, leaving behind a squad who had developed a real connection with the former Arsenal man.

"There isn`t a player in the squad who wasn't gutted when the gaffer left, he had a lot of respect for the lads and ultimately it was down to us," Croft told Press Association Sport.

"It was our performances and our results that meant he left the club. Hopefully we can get another good result against Everton like we did against Liverpool and dedicate it to him."

Their attempts at achieving that goal were given a boost when the npower League One side were drawn at home again.

And Croft hopes a full Boundary Park can help swing the tie in their favour.

He said: "It is quite an intimidating place to play sometimes and Everton won't be used to a ground with just three sides!

"If we had been playing at Goodison I'm sure our chances would have been a lot slimmer but with our home supporters, who played a big part against Liverpool, behind us again hopefully they can be our twelfth man and help us to another big result."

Striker Matt Smith, the hero in the previous round, could return after a shoulder problem picked up against Liverpool.

Fellow forward Robbie Simpson has also made his comeback from a hamstring injury and may be in contention.

Oldham have also been boosted by the availability of their three loanees.

Reading midfielder Jordan Obita and strikers Chris Iwelumo and Lee Barnard, borrowed from Watford and Southampton respectively, have had the go-ahead to feature.

Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes appears poised to wait until the end of the season before clearing the air over his future.

Moyes celebrates the 11th anniversary of his tenure at Goodison Park in four weeks' time, but there remains a question mark over whether he will extend a contract that expires this summer.

The 49-year-old Scot, who has been a revelation throughout his time in charge of a club that has continually punched above its weight, today refused to shed any light on his situation.

Instead, Moyes looks likely to keep chairman Bill Kenwright, the players and fans in the dark over the closing three months of the campaign.

"I'll give as much as I can, but I've said - and I've spoken with the chairman - that I want to see how the team do," said Moyes.

"I want to see how we do in the cups, I want to see how we do in the league, and it's more than likely I won't make a decision until the end of the season.

"So you can ask me every week, but I'll probably give you the same answer."

Moyes' immediate focus tomorrow will be on the fifth-round tie.

Although the tie with Everton again represents a pleasant distraction for Tony Philliskirk and his Oldham players, Moyes knows - as Liverpool and boss Rodgers discovered to their cost - the danger at hand.

Moyes can also recall his side's own harrowing defeat to Oldham five years ago when the underdogs won a third-round clash 1-0 at Goodison Park.

"We know what they can do as they did very well against Liverpool. It was a great result, but that's what the cup does," said Moyes.

"We've been knocked out by Shrewsbury (third round in 2003), knocked out by Oldham.

"I thought we'd prepared well when we went to play Shrewsbury, and again when we played Oldham, but we didn't get the result, and that is football.

"You have to play well, take your opportunities when they come along, which is cup football because you only have one chance.

"So we have been there, done that, we know what it's like and we don't want it to happen again.

"We'll do everything we possibly can to make sure it doesn't."

Moyes should have Sylvain Distin available after the defender missed Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United through illness.

Striker Victor Anichebe is a doubt, however, with a knock sustained in that game which saw him substituted just before the hour mark.

Source: PA