Oldham Athletic: Lee Johnson says Rochdale win shows progress
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manager Lee Johnson has said Oldham Athletic's derby win over Rochdale, which moved them into the play-off places, shows how far they have come.
Two goals from on-loan midfielder Daniel Johnson and Jonathan Forte's penalty means the Latics have lost just once in 15 games in League One.
Johnson's side look well set to improve on the 15th-place finish of last term.
"It really just cements and confirms what we're trying to achieve and do," Johnson told BBC Radio Manchester.
"We've got a group of young players that are very talented and needed to be galvanised for whatever reason.
"Whether it be injury or falling out of love with the game, we've done that and we look good."
"It ticked all the boxes, if you like, with fantastic support from our travelling fans, a clean sheet and propels us into the play-off spots - as a manager you can't ask for much more than that."
Aston Villa midfielder Daniel Johnson, who joined on loan until 5 January, has now scored three goals in his first three starts since moving to Oldham.
The Jamaica-born player is yet to make his competitive debut for Villa, but has had loan spells at Yeovil and Chesterfield.
"I was just thinking about the big derby game, I'd heard a lot about it so really and truly what was in my mind was to get the win," said Johnson, 22.
"Helpfully I got the two goals but most importantly we got the win and that moves us up the table.
"We've just got to keep the tempo and the momentum of how we've been training lately."
