DINO Maamria believes his biggest call so far as Oldham boss is paying dividends.

The Latics manager has dropped early-season number one Gary Woods in favour of Zeus de la Paz – the Curacao international goalkeeper starting five games since Maamria’s arrival just over a month ago. 

The 24-year-old pulled off a string of fine saves in the 0-0 draw at Port Vale last time out as Oldham made it back-to-back clean sheets ahead of hosting Northampton Town on Saturday.

“Probably my biggest call since coming here was leaving Woodsy out,” said Maamria.

“It was a difficult one but my gut instinct told me that Zeus was in the right form to pick him and he has not let us down.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant and Woodsy’s been a great support to him as well.

“The two goalkeepers have been together which is great to see.

“I thought we defended from the front as a team and as a unit on Saturday and I thought the back four look more solid that ever.

“We’ve been conceding a lot of goals and that’s probably the biggest area I’m trying to work on on the training ground day in, day out to try and make sure that we’re solid defensively.”

Maamria feels his side are slowly but surely heading in the right direction after a tough start. 

They still, however, sit 19th in League Two ahead of welcoming the Cobblers, just outside the play-off places, to Boundary Park.

“It’s still early days yet but it’s momentum, consistency, togetherness, building, all those things we talk a lot about,” the Latics boss said.

“It’s early for me and the squad and remember the club recruited about 15, 16 players in the summer so it’s still a new squad together.

“But you see certain habits building and I’ve got to mention our fans at Port Vale.

“They were tremendous. It’s no surprise to me and even the fourth official commented on them.

“I love every one of them, urge them to keep coming and hopefully in the next home game we can give them an even better performance and three points.”