With the newly promoted duo of Barnet and Oldham Athletic, the strength of the National League has been showcased once again. But while the reigning National League Champions have rightly received praise for their performances and results this season, Oldham have been firmly under the radar in recent weeks.
At the time of writing, Micky Mellon’s Latics sit 13th in the League Two table and seven points adrift of the final play-off spot. However, their recent form and the fact that they have played fewer games than all their opponents should raise a few eyebrows regarding their playoff prospects.
With several key fixtures approaching for the Boundary Park outfit, this piece will explore why Oldham should be considered in the race for top seven.
Oldham’s Form and Foundations
The start of the season was disappointing for the Latics. Without a win in August, many were skeptical about Mellon’s future, with the feeling that a long season awaited.
And their form has been relatively patchy throughout the season. Tending to go on runs of consecutive wins, before a run of consecutive losses. But what cannot be doubted is that the squad has a clear foundation in its defensive set-up.
Currently, Oldham boast one of the best defensive records in the division, second only to title-challengers Cambridge United. Scoring at the other end has been a worry, as Mellon’s squad have a lower tally for goals scored than the entire top half of the division.
But when a side is built on a solid defensive foundation, they will always be in the game. This has been shown in recent weeks, where they have been undefeated in their last six league outings with four wins and only two goals conceded. Including a 0-0 draw against league leaders, Bromley.
And this defensive form comes as little surprise. The heart of their defence is marshalled by the experienced duo of Manny Monthe and Donvervon Daniels, while Matt Hudson is in the discussion for the best shot-stopper in League Two. Ryan Woods and Tom Pett form another experienced partnership in Mellon’s eleven, providing clear leadership and know-how in the middle.
Micky Mellon’s New Spark Going Forward
In 14 league outings since joining the club, Jack Stevens has shown himself to be one of the best League Two signings made in January. With six goals and three assists to his tally, the 25-year-old forward has given a shy frontline a new dimension up front, proving his worth at Boundary Park immediately.
And if Oldham are to meet any success by way of a top seven finish this season, it will be largely credited to their January business. Calum Kavanagh was excellent in the run-in that saw Bradford City win promotion last season, and has two goals to his name since joining Oldham in January.
The two forwards highlighted have brought both energy and new depths of quality to the Oldham frontline, with most of their squad being in the latter years of their careers. Now, their elevens offer a nice blend of youth and experience, which will be vital in the run-in.
Oldham’s Coming Fixtures
While play-offs are a stretch in practical terms, their coming fixtures could change that. This Saturday will see the club host an in-form Grimsby Town, who sit seven points ahead of the Latics, occupying the final play-off spot.
In fact, most of their upcoming fixtures feature a side in the promotion chase. To name them: Chesterfield, Notts County, Crewe Alexandra, Colchester United, MK Dons, and Salford City are yet to face Oldham. And while that is extremely challenging, it makes each fixture an opportunity for their seemingly slim chances.
The Manchester club have played 34 matches, with most sides around them having played 35/36. So if they were to win their games in hand, the play-offs won’t look so far away.
Last season in the National League, Mellon showed he was able to get his side into the right form where it mattered. So if Oldham were to treat each coming match as a cup final, they would have all the right foundations and personnel to make the 2025-26 season mean more than just consolidation.
