Oldham Athletic

Tribunal rules on Stephens deal
Oldham must pay Bury £30,000 in compensation for young midfielder Dale Stephens, a tribunal has ruled. Stephens, 20, moved to Boundary Park in the summer, despite the Latics having a cash offer rejected for the youngster. Oldham must also pay an additional £10,000 for each 15 appearances the player makes, for up to 60 games. Bury could also earn £25,000 if Oldham gain promotion in the next two years if Stephens features in half the games, as well as 20% of any sell-on fee.

Ormerod joins Oldham for a month
Oldham Athletic have signed striker Brett Ormerod on a one-month loan from Preston North End. The 31-year-old has been out of favour at Deepdale this season and has failed to make a single first-team appearance. The former Southampton man scored twice in 13 games while on loan at Nottingham Forest last season. He is the third Preston player to join a League One club on loan this season, with Joe Anyinsah and Karl Hawley at Brighton and Northampton respectively. Meanwhile Ormerod has told Radio Lancashire he is refusing to call time on his North End career. "I haven't been desperate to leave the club because I'm happy at Preston - it's just obviously I want to play games. "I'm in the last year of my contract and when you're not playing, it just makes it that bit harder," added Ormerod, who could make his Latics debut on Saturday against Leicester City. "Oldham is quite close to where I live so it's a chance to go out and get some games which hopefully will do me some good."

Oldham's Kalala back at Grimsby
Grimsby Town have re-signed Oldham midfielder JP Kalala on a two-month loan, with a view to a permanent move. The DR Congo international followed former Mariners manager Russell Slade to Yeovil in the summer of 2006 before moving to Oldham a year later. Grimsby fans will have fond memories of the 26-year old after he scored a sensational winner in their League Cup win over Spurs in 2006. The ex-Nice playmaker played 25 times for Town, scoring six goals. He played 42 times for Yeovil but only found the net on one occasion. Meanwhile, the last of his 26 games for Oldham took place on 15 March, a 3-0 defeat at Luton, and he has since found himself out of manager John Sheridan's plans.

Wolves' Jones extends Oldham stay
Oldham Athletic have extended the loan of Wolves' left-sided player Daniel Jones until 3 January. The 21-year-old, who can play both in defence and midfield, started all seven games of his first month at Boundary Park, scoring once. Wolves have also given the Latics permission to play Jones in the FA Cup. Oldham chief executive Alan Hardy told the club website: "Daniel has done well so far and we are delighted to be able to extend his loan deal."

Smalley urged to have self-belief
Oldham Athletic manager John Sheridan has told striker Deane Smalley he needs to have more self-belief. The 20-year-old, who has scored two League One goals this season, was preferred to Andy Liddell in the 3-1 weekend win against Stockport. Sheridan told Radio Manchester: "I thought in the first half against Stockport he was unbelievable. He just has to get self-belief. "His biggest problem is he doesn't believe in himself enough." He added: "I do keep trying to get it into his head. He's got a little run in the side now, that was his third game. I thought he did well last week in patches too and obviously he scored against Hartlepool. "He's just got to get confidence in his game because I think he's got every attribute to be a player but it's belief more than anything else. I can only speak to him. "He's the one who's got to go out and do it but first half on Saturday he was a big threat and caused them loads of problems."

Chelsea winger seals Oldham move
Chelsea winger Fabio Ferreira has joined League One side Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan deal. The 19-year-old has moved to Boundary Park after a successful trial period in the North West. However Ferreira has not joined the Latics in time to feature in Saturday's trip to Yeovil but will be available for Tuesday's visit of Bristol Rovers. Ferreira, who has been capped by Portugal at under-19 level, joined Chelsea from Sporting Lisbon in 2005.

Oldham look into 'fight' reports
Oldham Athletic have confirmed reports of players fighting during a night out are to be investigated. National newspaper reports have claimed manager John Sheridan was also involved during a club night at Belle Vue greyhound racing last week. A club spokesman told Radio Manchester some players were caught up in angry confrontations. Chief executive Alan Hardy told the club website: "We cannot discount sacking in this respect." He added: "The incidents which occurred last Tuesday are certainly disturbing and the board of directors are conducting a full investigation. "If anyone is found to have been acting inappropriately, thus bringing the club into disrepute, then I would expect the strongest possible action to be taken." Meanwhile, Sheridan was angry with his players after the weekend defeat at home to Colchester. He told BBC Radio Manchester: "Let them answer the questions. They're professional footballers, they get paid good money for it. "I am not going to answer all the time. I am getting sick of answering for them and sticking up for them."

No-show Stam released by Oldham
Oldham Athletic have released Dutch defender Stefan Stam after he failed to show up for contract talks with new manager Dave Penney. The 29-year-old former Eindhoven player was due to meet with the Latics boss to discuss his future, but chose to speak via his agent instead. Stam made 102 appearances during five injury-plagued seasons for Athletic. He becomes the sixth player to be released by the club this summer, following Wednesday's clear-out. On Wednesday the club releasing top goalscorer Lee Hughes and midfielders JP Kalala and Kevin Maher. Veterans Mark Crossley and Andy Liddell have also left the club.

Taylor credits Oldham team spirit
Chris Taylor has highlighted the Oldham Athletic team spirit after the Latics third successive league success. Dave Penney's side are within goal difference of the League One play-offs after scoring five goals in three wins. Taylor told Radio Manchester: "It's a great little spirit we've got going on in the team. "We've had that since the start and, unfortunately, some results we deserved we didn't get. Overall, I think all the lads have been playing brilliantly." He added: "The two lads at centre back are heading and clearing everything; they have been deserving their clean sheets. "The keeper's been good too. And the lads up front have been causing problems. So all-in-all it's a team game and the team's pulling together."

Dickov expects Latics win
Paul Dickov wants his Oldham players to bounce straight back from their defeat to Hartlepool against Notts County on New Year's Eve. Despite prospering in cup competitions in recent months, Latics' league form has stalled with a run of one win in eight games. "Every time we have had a bad result or a bad performance we have bounced back and I am looking for that to happen against Notts County," boss Dickov told his club's official website. "There are going to be days when we don't perform. I will accept the players not performing, but not failing to have a go. "The players don't need to tell me I was disappointed as they were also disappointed themselves and they want to put it right." He added: "I believe we are a match for any team in out league. We have good players, in fact some of the better ones in the division. It is about getting a level of consistency."

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