Ritchie’s delight as old club toppled

Jan 28 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN boss Andy Ritchie savoured victory over the club he served for 13 years and admitted: “It wasn’t pretty, but we’re in round five.”

Ritchie reached two FA Cup semi-finals as an Oldham player, and later managed the Boundary Park club, but was delighted to have ended his old mate John Sheridan’s bid for a run in the competition.

“They put us under a lot of pressure at times, but we defended well, and we also had chances to have won by more,” added Ritchie.

“After Brighton away, we’ve had two battling performances on the back of each other now, and it’s vital we continue in that vein against Bournemouth tomorrow.”

Town’s players were universal in their praise of new signing Robert Page, and the manager was also delighted with the debut display of the former Coventry man.

“He showed exactly why we brought him in,” said Ritchie.

“His leadership qualities and experience shone through, and hopefully he can keep that going.

“His leadership skills are fantastic. He organises people and pulls the team round the pitch, and we haven’t really had anyone who can do that.

“He went down with cramp at one point, and I was shouting at him not to go up for corners and throw-ins.

“It wasn’t getting up there that was the problem – it was getting back!

“To be serious, Rob was bound to feel the pace a little bit, because he hasn’t played that many first-team matches, but the sharpness will soon come.”

Ritchie added: “To be fair, all the lads deserve credit. Our approach throughout the game was epitomised late on when three or four threw themselves in to block an Oldham shot.

“Oldham wanted to get through just as much as we did, and we really had to fight to win.

“Now we’ve got to carry that approach into every game.”

Ritchie was also pleased by the backing from Town’s fans.

“They were brilliant all the way through, and it was the first thing the players were talking about afterwards,” he said.

“Having that kind of noise reverberating around the Galpharm would be fantastic.

“It’s hard to keep shouting in the thin times, but we really need that support.”