ECHOSPORT talks to Oldham Athletic fan Stephen Shipman ahead of Saturday's match with Southend United.

Oldham are currently 20th in the table. What have you made of the season so far?

"I think it’s been incredibly underwhelming for the most part.

"The performances haven’t been good enough and it’s hard to see where there has been significant improvements and how that will happen going forward.

"There has been the odd game where we have looked quite impressive but consistency and really taking control of games has been a real issue.

"We will get a good result and not follow it up, and that’s hugely frustrating."

There seems to have been a lot of changes at the club this season. Do you feel things are moving in the right direction now or are you still concerned?

"Off the pitch it’s a different story, I think the manager has been backed in the transfer market and there have been numerous things out in place commercially that have been really positive.

"It’s chalk and cheese compared to the results but after the last few years under the previous owner, where he (and his brother) did their level best to destroy the club, we are grateful to even have a team to support and with that, must come some patience to turn the whole situation around.

"We have a local man in charge and he is surrounded by good people, so I’ve no doubts it will happen in time.

"Those concerns regarding the stability of the club are most definitely gone."

What are your hopes for the rest of the season and how confident are you of staying up?

"It would be good to see an upturn in form and to start putting some consistent performances in to climb the league table, and to start competing with some of the bigger teams in the division.

"I’d like to say playoffs but it’s a pipe dream for this season, we realistically need to focus on staying up and building a challenge for next year.

"I’m confident we won’t go down, but I think the next 10 games will play a huge part in that."

Ex Southend United defender Peter Clarke is still playing for you at the age of 41. How has he been doing?

"Clarkey is Clarkey!

"He’s been doing well, he’s definitely offered some leadership and stability at the back, like he does everywhere he goes.

"He leads by example but is overexposed by having a poor midfield in front of him, and at 41 he probably shouldn’t be in the action as much as he is!

Who is the dangerman?

"Ben Tollitt is probably the man who is capable of making things happen.

"He links well with Kitching down the left hand side as part of a 4-3-3 but hasn’t looked as comfortable in the more recent switch to a 4-4-2.

"On their day, both Fondop and Nuttall are both excellent, and have been starting to form a reasonable partnership up front, something that’s been lacking so far this season."

What’s the team news?

"After last week's game against Gateshead I think there may be some changes to the starting XI as what was served up was definitely not up to the required standard.

"He’ll hopefully stick with two up front but the midfield looks horribly weak but I’m not sure there’s anyone in the squad that can solve that problem (at the moment)."