What can you say about Oldham? A name synonymous with Britain’s industrial heritage – a town of “dark satanic mills” – a town proud in its past history, once rich and bedecked with the trappings of success, such as the magnificent Victorian Town Hall and the many well endowed churches, fed by the riches of the local industrialists trying to buy their way into heaven on the backs of the downtrodden, all with the looming presence of Saddleworth Moor and the Pennines in the background. Oh yes, and also Boundary Park, a place so desolate that Scott of the Antarctic and Amundsen would have thought twice about going anywhere near it. The only place that can be any colder has to be Grimsby. There certainly isn’t any more fitting place to say goodbye to 2007.

This is going to be a real test of both football and character for the Saddlers, as the problems of a thin squad start to bite. It is also a chance to measure progress against the low spot of the 0 – 3 home defeat to a then struggling Oldham earlier in the season – all the more so as they are one of the improving teams of the Division and also have Lee Hughes unfortunately finding his goalscoring touch again.

Richard Money’s major problems will, of course, be in defence and on the bench. Gerrard has now reached five yellows and the mandatory one match ban and Danny Fox’s indiscretion in his first game back after suspension at Vale park means that he’ll be missing. I’d expect Roper to come in for Gerrard and I think everyone will be hoping that Boertien is fit enough to replace Fox. If not, Taundry should come in for what is likely to be a much tougher game than his debut against Millwall, who played without a right winger.

Mooney is the other major doubt, having gone off early doors on Wednesday. If he is missing then I think we’ll be likely to see a 4 5 1 / 4 3 3 of:

Ince, Weston, Roper, Dann, Boertien or Taundry, Deeney, Wrack, Bradley, Sweeney, Demontagnac, Ricketts.

Michael Ricketts will be one man doubtless looking forward to the game, as he takes on his employers. Whether we want him to play well, if we are thinking of a transfer in January, is a completely different matter, however!

As for Oldham, they will be without former Baglady Sean Gregan in defence and the experienced ex Wigan man Andy Liddell, both of whom are out injured. Their major threats are Blues youngster Neil Kilkenny in midfield and the former Wolves loanee Craig Davies up front. Oh yes. And somebody called Lee Hughes.

The former Albion man took a while to settle down, following his release from prison in the Summer, but is certainly finding his form now. Four of his seven goals this season came during December.

Predictions?

Of course, this should be the classic encounter of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. Oldham are on an 11 match unbeaten run, the Saddlers on a 14 match one. Oldham have drawn 5 of the last 6 at home, Walsall 5 of the last 6 away. This should have draw written all over it, but there are other factors at work. We are coming off the back of a poor performance in the last away game, the 1 – 1 draw at Port Vale, achieved thanks to an injury time goal from Michael Ricketts, and injuries and suspensions are beginning to effect our chances. With the best will in the world, I think this looks like a home win. I’d certainly be delighted if we managed to come away from the North West with a point.