Latics got their season off to a decent start yesterday with an impressive point at Walsall. Next weekend sees the visit of Fleetwood Town to Boundary Park, and judging by past home form, this could be an even sterner test. Oldham’s home record in the recent past has been little more than poor. In the days of Joe Royle and the plastic pitch, Boundary Park was a fortress however that’s an all too distant memory now, as the table below demonstrates.
| Season | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Goal Diff | Points |
| 09/10 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 23 | 28 | -5 | 28 |
| 10/11 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 29 | 31 | -2 | 30 |
| 11/12 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 32 |
| 12/13 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 28 |
| 13/14 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 23 | 28 | -5 | 29 |
| 14/15 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 32 | 34 | -2 | 32 |
| Overall | 46 | 41 | 51 | 159 | 174 | -15 | 179 |
In other words, Latics have been averaging 30 points to the nearest unit at home per season. So, how does this compare with the League One Average? In the six seasons in question, the average number of home points gained is as follows (from 09/10 to 14/15); 39, 37, 36, 34, 36, 34.
Thus, the average home points gained in a season in League One over the past six years is 36 points and Latics have failed to reach this mark by four points or more for each of those seasons. To have been that bad at home for so long and under three different managers is worrying for Oldham fans and there is clearly a fundamental problem lying somewhere. Of course Oldham haven’t been particularly good away from home in each of these seasons either, but home form has been especially bad.
Yet perhaps more worrying than the lack of points is the lack of goals scored; averaging little over a measly goal a game. Darren Kelly is tasked with the Oldham manager’s job this season and it is hoped that he can finally overcome the home form voodoo. Playing an attacking side against Walsall immediately endeared him to the Oldham faithful and should he do the same against Fleetwood, hope will be enhanced that a more attractive, attacking brand of football is to be implemented at home.
Oldham enter this season with the strongest squad on paper for many a year. However, all this will go to waste if Kelly can’t get them firing on home soil. Last season, champions Bristol City accrued 53 points at home proving that good home form is a pre-requsite for any side hoping to challenge at the top. If Oldham can finally get theirs in order, a promotion push may not be all too unrealistic.
