WE KNOW that we will have to be on our metal to ensure that we get a result at Oldham on Saturday.

We will have to defend properly and take the game to them, which we are more than capable of doing. It's always a tough place to go, but we aren't fearful of the challenge that sits before us, we are looking forward to it.

Tuesday's victory at Bristol Rovers made it four games unbeaten, during which time we have only conceded one goal, and that's with us having to reshuffle our defence due to injuries to both Manny Smith and Mark Hughes.

The size of our squad means that players have to be versatile and play to their maximum week in, week out. Sometimes we need to change things around and give players a rest in order to freshen things up.

Occasionally we need that little jolt here and there to keep people on their toes. The return to the starting line-up of Alex Nicholls at Bristol Rovers is a prime example. He has looked sharp in training and deserved his opportunity. He didn't let me down and offered us something different at the Memorial Stadium, even though he knows that he should have scored with a header in the second half.

The support that we received on Tuesday evening was a big help to us and I would like to thank those supporters who will be making the trip up to Oldham.

CHRIS HUTCHINGS