Jon Whitney: Walsall ready for Oldham battle

The Saddlers host John Sheridan's side as they bid to win a fifth straight game at the Banks's Stadium for the first time since 2013.

Despite sitting just one place outside the League One relegation zone, the Latics arrive on the back of a five match unbeaten run. And Whitney is expecting a tough game.

"It is going to be a really tough game against a resurgent Oldham team but we are looking forward to the battle," he said.

"It’s a chance to record five consecutive home wins. But for me I am just concentrating on how my team plays and our energy levels. We need to be ready for a bit of a scrap tomorrow.

"Oldham’s players are playing for a lot. They are playing for livelihoods. But we just need to concentrate on ourselves. We are performing well, we are being consistent and we want to carry that forward."

Oldham's upturn in form has coincided with Sheridan returning for a fifth spell as manager.

And Whitney is looking forward to locking horns with the 52-year-old who was sacked from Notts County earlier in the season.

"He (Sheridan) has had an impact," Whitney continued.

"He is very organised and I know him well.

"I know his family and I used to play with his brother Darren.

"He is very well thought of in the game. Like myself, he is a bit old-school and he knows how to win games.

"He kept Oldham up last year. It didn’t work out for him at Notts County but you can see he is a good, shrewd manager.

"They have got players that know how to win games. They deserved to beat Northampton On Tuesday.

"But we have to concentrate on ourselves, what we do and the problems we can cause them."

Walsall enter the clash with expectancy levels having increased following their recent home form.

But that doesn't concern Whitney.

"We are in the game to be challenged." he added.

"We don’t come in just to train every day.

"We are looking forward to the game and giving everything we can to get a positive result."