HARRY Kewell has taken aim at his side’s lack of fight as Latics look to bounce back from another disappointing night at Boundary Park.

The 3-2 reverse against Mansfield means it is nine defeats in 12 League Two games on home soil this season ahead of the trip to Walsall tomorrow.

Kewell pulled no punches after the Stags defeat,

questioning his players’ mentality at a time where even continuing with the season is up for the debate due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Oldham boss wants an end to the excuses as he looks for a first win in four league games against the Saddlers.

“We’ve got to stick together, and we will do, but I expect people to learn,” Kewell said.

“We can’t keep making excuses, people have got to grow up and realise this is a job and we’re very fortunate at the moment to be able to do something we love, especially with what’s going on in the world.

“Everyone else is stuck in and not allowed out, it’s hard.  We’ve got to be able to give that little bit extra fight and we’re not giving that at the moment.

“We’re allowing teams to come to our home and do stuff like that. It’s not acceptable.

“You have to stand and fight and you have to take responsibility.

“You can’t just sit here and say ‘yeah that’s another one, another mistake’. It’s unacceptable.

“We’re all working hard behind the scenes – the medical staff, the coaching staff, the owners – we’ve given them everything.

“They’ve just got to show that little bit more fight and give Oldham something back. It’s in them, I’ve seen it, we’ve just got to take that little bit more responsibility.”

Kewell took little solace in seeing his side battle to the end of the Mansfield defeat, Conor McAleny’s 14th of the season in all competitions six minutes from time giving Latics a chance of snatching an unlikely point.

“It’s not a sign of a good team when you fight at the end,” the former Liverpool and Leeds man said. 

“Why can’t you just fight at the start? I asked them the question.

“It doesn’t matter how good you are as a footballer, all the top footballers have to fight from the very start.

“First and foremost you have to win your battles. You’re 11 men on the pitch and you’ve got to work and beat your opponent. You focus in our your job.”