Burnley v Oldham Athletic - Peter Dewhurst's big match preview

BLUNT Yorkshireman Neil Warnock goes on the warpath at Turf Moor tonight.

Critical, outspoken, and never one to cloak his post-match emotions, he is charged with the mission of sparking an Oldham Athletic revival.

Warnock brings the Latics to Turf Moor for Burnley's first Lancashire derby of the season - still pitching and rolling from the 5-0 Coca-Cola Cup humiliation at Grimsby Town a week ago.

League wins over York City and Bournemouth lifted the Boundary Park spirits - then came the Blundell Park debacle.

But Warnock's men were back on track this weekend with a commendable point at Luton.

"The defeat at Grimsby was the most embarrassing moment in my football management career," declared Warnock.

"I saw too many senior players throw the towel in and I just will not accept that attitude.

"I've never seen any players of mine do that and I hope I never see it again.

"I was absolutely gutted at the way they capitulated at Grimsby.

"If I had said all I wanted to say in the dressing room aftewards, all the players would have been locked in there until 1.30 am. "I want to see a fighting, battling performance from my players against Burnley tonight. I will not tolerate anything else. We were a shambles at Grimsby."

Warnock reckons Chris Waddle's side have the quality to make a major impression on Division Two. "It should be a fascinating battle against Burnley," he said.

"Burnley have got dangerous players like Paul Barnes and David Eyres who can hurt you if you allow them.

"We will have to be resilient if we are to get a result at Turf Moor because it can be one of the toughest places to go and play."

Warnock knows his side are one of the pre-season favourites to climb straight back into the First Division.

But he remains cautious about the Latics' prospects as they embark on a re-building programme following last season's relegation.

"We do not have the finances of the likes of Burnley, Wigan, Preston or Fulham. I am hoping the dressing room spirit will pull us through. "I think that is one of my strengths as a manager - I really enjoy the banter that exists between players.

"But you will hear no talk of promotion from me or my staff.

"The first aim for a club like Oldham, which has been in decline for the past four years, must be stability."

Sean McCarthy - an Adrian Heath target for Burnley last season - will lead the attack alongside Stuart Barlow, the 1996-97 top scorer.

McCarthy already has three goals to his name, but already Warnock has major injury troubles.

The Oldham boss has taken goalkeeper Michael Pollitt from Notts County with Gary Kelly and Ian Ironside sidelined, while his one major addition over the summer was the capture of defender Lee Sinnott from Huddersfield Town for £50,000.

Also likely to be ruled out are midfielders Paul Rickers, Icelandic international Toddy Orlygsson and Matthew Rush. Australian Doug Hodgson, who made a single appearance for Burnley while on loan at Turf Moor last season, is still recovering from summer knee surgery, but has recently claimed a place on the substitutes bench.

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