PHIL Parkinson has been busy priming Wanderers for an unexpected challenge in Saturday’s local derby with Oldham Athletic.

Though the Latics lowly league positon suggests a side struggling for confidence, the Whites boss is well aware his opponents are one of League One’s real Jekyll and Hyde propositions.

Sitting in 21st and out of the relegation zone on goal difference, Oldham have incredibly lost just six of their last 29 games away from Boundary Park.

Their record stretches all the way back to the very start of last season, where they suffered just five defeats, one of which was against Parkinson’s Bradford City.

This term they were beaten by Millwall on the opening day at The Den but their form has once again turned on its head, with very few of points earned in front of their home supporters.

Parkinson watched Steven Robinson’s side beat Gillingham last time out and was hugely impressed with their work-rate and commitment. And that is the message he has underlined in training this week as he warned his players there will be no quarter given in another local clash.

“There are no easy games,” he told The Bolton News. “People say it all the time but in League One if your application and commitment is not spot on you will be left behind.

“That happened to us against Oxford but our reaction to that result has been very good and we’ve had a full week to prepare for the Oldham game, where it needs to be just as good.”

Former Wanderers defender Marc Tierney, who played for Oldham between 2003 and 2007, described the Latics as “a robust and well-organised team.”

“Freddie Ladapo, who I played with at Colchester, has arrived with a bit of spark and directness.

“He played at Margate and then went to Crystal Palace and got loaned back out. They have got a good mix of young and old players at the back but in general it’s a well-organised team, especially away from home.”

Latics manager Robinson is looking forward to his first test at the Macron Stadium, as well he might, with his side going into the game on the back of two impressive away victories.

“It’s what you are in football for,” he told The Oldham Chronicle. “Bolton have a great stadium and big names.

“If we replicate what we did at Gillingham in terms of work ethic and quality, then I don’t think we have anything to fear.”

Ladapo, whose last-minute goal sealed three points last time out, may well be billed as the danger man despite his side struggling for goals home and away this season.

Oldham have managed just seven in their opening 13 games – the lowest in the division – but the on-loan Palace striker admits he is unsure whether his manager will plunge him into action against Wanderers on Saturday.

“When I first came I was starting and now I am coming off the bench,” he said.

“I just said to myself, you just have to soak it up and do your best when you come on. That’s all I can do.

“It is a huge transition to go to Palace and this move for me is still a major jump from Margate.

“But I am just trying to put my head down and get on with everything.”

Meanwhile, former Wanderers midfielder and Republic of Ireland international Jason McAteer will make a special visit to Bolton Central before Saturday’s game to sign copies of his brand new autobiography.

‘Blood, Sweat and Jason McAteer’ is the story of the midfielder’s career which saw him make his professional debut at Burnden Park before going on to play for Liverpool, Blackburn, Sunderland and Tranmere. McAteer will be present at Bolton Central between 1pm and 2pm, with copies available to purchase on the day.