THERE aren't many people around who know more about putting the ball in the back of the net than Oldham manager Andy Ritchie.

Ritchie scored over 200 goals in his playing days with Manchester United, Brighton, Leeds, Scarborough and the Latics.

He notched over 100 times for Oldham alone and so it's hardly surprising that he's less than chuffed over the club's current strike rate.

Oldham are yet to score in their three matches this season, all of which they've lost.

And Ritchie has been critical of his front men for not showing a greater appetite around goal, having instigated a shoot-on-sight policy in pre-season.

He has signed Paul Beavers on a permanent basis from Sunderland in an effort to pep up his forward line, although so far without success.

And he will give the towering young striker a different partner tomorrow in an effort to breach Burnley's defences.

Loan signing Junior Agogo has returned to Sheffield Wednesday and Ritchie will choose between Mark Allott and Welsh under-21 international Matthew Tipton, who scored against the Clarets in a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park in April.

Both players were on target for the reserves in a 3-3 draw against Preston on Monday night and so Ritchie will charge one with breaking the Latics' duck.

After avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, Oldham enjoyed a successful pre-season programme which included winning a tournament in the Isle of Man and drawing with Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers.

They have endured a false start to the real thing but apart from a dismal performance at Brentford last Saturday, Ritchie will at least take solace from the fact that goals have been the only missing ingredient.

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