Reluctant Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk is slowly helping to guide Oldham Athletic away from the League One relegation places.
Saturday’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth was the club’s third league win in a row since Philliskirk was asked to take charge of first-team affairs following the departure of Paul Dickov earlier this month.
The Latics had been on a miserable run of ten league games without a win but victories over Stevenage, MK Dons and Pompey have steadied the ship and moved them four points clear of the drop zone.
And while the popular Head of Youth insists that he is only keeping the dugout warm for a new man – an against-the-odds victory at Everton tomorrow would at least make him favourite to remain in his current position until the end of the season.
Paul Gerrard, the former Oldham and Everton keeper, addressed the press post-match with Philliskirk dashing from the dressing room to a Q and A session with supporters in Royton.
“We know we can play better,” said Gerrard. “I should imagine it was a horrible game for the supporters to watch, but I think the win shows how far we have come confidence wise when we don’t play at our best and come away with three points which we needed.”