HARRY Kewell believes he can build something “fantastic” at Boundary Park – if afforded the time to do so.

Latics gave their fans an early Christmas present on Saturday as they saw off League Two leaders Newport 4-2 to equal a club record of seven consecutive away wins in all competitions. 

It leaves Latics 14th but in a congested table that is just four points shy of the play-off places ahead of hosting Harrogate on Boxing Day.

In the summer, Kewell was the sixth permanent managerial appointment by owner Abdallah Lemsagam since he took over in January 2018 with Lee Johnson the last Latics boss to see out a full season in the 2013-14 campaign.

The former Liverpool and Leeds winger believes things are coming together though as he looks to the long term.

“We have a long way to go, we can’t get carried away with it,” he said.  

“We can enjoy this moment, we can sit back and enjoy Christmas but we have a very tough game coming up against Harrogate which we can’t take lightly because that it is going to be a difficult game.

“You don’t want to follow performances like this with bad performances.

“We’re getting there, our performances are slowly progressing, they are getting there and you can see it in the team spirit.

“It’s building, we are building something, but it’s going to take time.

“If we get that time it will be fantastic and I’m sure the Oldham fans will be buzzing.”

The one thing still lacking in Kewell’s time in charge though is the presence of fans, supporters again having to tune in to see their side in action on Boxing Day.

The Australian is under no illusions that on his arrival some of the fanbase needed winning over given the club’s struggles on and off the field in recent seasons.

“Hopefully they’re all watching on iFollow and they are seeing the performances their team is putting in for them,” he said.  

“That’s the main thing but if we can get them supporting us and getting them to come around then it’s going to be interesting.”

As well as a message for supporters, Kewell had one for his players too, that with the right approach there is success to be had in an open League Two this season.

“This league is fantastic,” he said. “Anyone can beat anybody, but you have to be on your game in every single moment.

“That’s the only difference between the great players at the not so great players, it’s that commitment and discipline and work ethic.

“You’ve got to keep doing the same things every single day, it’s a repetitive kind of system.

“If you get that attitude, these players can go anywhere.”