Holden up for derby challenge

Oldham boss Dean Holden will make sure his players know about the importance of Tuesday night's derby against his former club Rochdale.

Dale make the trip to SportsDirect.com Park knowing victory over their neighbours from six miles down the road will take them into the top six. But Holden, who has been handed the role of boss until the end of the season, is determined to record his first back-to-back victories following Saturday's success over Crewe. "That's the important thing - the momentum," he said. "It's good that we've got such a big game where there will be a good crowd in. "It's another challenge. Saturday's gone now." Oldham and Rochdale were two of the clubs Holden played for during his career and he is therefore well placed to appreciate the magnitude of this game for those in the area. He aims to relay that information to his squad, adding: "It's making sure they're aware of what it means to everyone. "I remember the result we had at their place and it was a great occasion, one of the best we've had this season. It's about recreating that. "Whoever we play, it's about continuing that run now. What we can't do is win one then drop off our standards. "Questions were asked of us before Saturday and the lads responded so now it's about sustaining that expectation and making sure we take the bull by the horns and have a good end to the season. "We don't just want to peter out to a nothing end to the season."