Embrace it! Micky Mellon is getting ready for his debut game as manager of Oldham Athletic, and that is his message.
For their first encounter of the National League season and what looks to be a tantalizing start for the Scot, Latics travel to rivals Rochdale tomorrow.
And the former manager of Dundee United, Shrewsbury, and Tranmere is relishing the opportunity. “I’m quite excited about it. It would indicate that things are going well if you were to add, “I hope it’s a big game every week,” he said.
“I’m thrilled that we have a big game this Saturday and I’m looking forward to finishing the team’s preparation. I hope we have big games every week.”
“I want to take part in important games. I was always a player who yearned for the big games, so I entered management to be a part of them. “I’m eager to participate in it. I hope it remains that way each week. I look forward to representing Oldham and my guys joining me in what will be an amazing matchup versus Rochdale. I want to be engaged in games like that and I’m extremely at ease doing so.”
And Mellon, who witnessed last weekend’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory at Altrincham from the stands a day after signing a three-year contract at Boundary Park, is hoping to prolong an unbeaten streak that spanned seven games. “I thought it was a performance of real character in a really tricky game,” Mellon said. “The players did a great job defending themselves; excellent support.” Standing in the rain, I pitied them. They showed up in force, motivating their team to win.
“It’s a great foundation to build on, and I believe everything came together pretty nicely.
“The team is operating in a method that is now producing results, so perhaps a few minor adjustments and such, but I won’t be careless with things—if something is working, there’s no big reason to modify it.
“But if there are things that I think can give us a good chance or a better chance of winning a game of football I’ll introduce it to the group and work on it.”
