MARCEL Hilssner is enjoying the new position handed to him since his loan arrival at Latics from Coventry.
The German is more traditionally an advanced midfielder or winger but of late has found himself sitting deep almost in front of the back four for Harry Kewell.
It is an unfamiliar role for the 26-year-old but one he is relishing as he is tasked with helping drive Oldham forward.
“The last few games I’ve played as a six in defensive midfield and it’s a position where I can create something, maybe show some calmness on the ball, dictate the game,” Hilssner told The Oldham Times.
“I usually play higher up as a 10 or as a winger, that’s where I’ve played all my career.
“It was new to me but I think I’m doing well as a six and that’s where I think I can help the team the most at the moment because we don’t have a player who can dictate the game from the six.
“That’s what the gaffer said, I’m feeling very good in the position and I think it’s my position for the next few weeks.”
An instant hit since his move from the Sky Blues until the end of the season, being at the base of the midfield means there is plenty of dirty work to get through as well.
That’s no problem for the former Werder Bremen youngster though, who is happy to do the defensive side of things.
“Of course,” Hilssner said when asked about getting stuck in.
“The most important thing is I arrive for the second balls and win the second balls.
“It’s football you have to fight everybody on the field. So if you’re playing as a 10, a winger or in the six then it’s nothing especially different so I’m okay with that.”
Despite having not kicked a ball for Coventry since joining on a three-year deal from SC Paderborn last summer, Hilssner has hit the ground running at Boundary Park.
Making a mockery of his lack of game time before Christmas, the loanee has played the full 90 minutes in four of his five outings so far and is enjoying life at Latics.
He said: “The first few days everything was new I had to find my way with my new team-mates and the gaffer and it was: ‘Where’s the pitch? Where’s the stadium?’
“But on my first day when I signed my loan contract I watched the game (against Mansfield on January 13) and I could see where I could help the team and the gaffer talked to me a lot in the first few days about what he wanted from me.
“I will do my best in the next few weeks to help this team win as many games as I can.”
He added: “We were very unlucky with the last game (at Forest Green). When you’re scoring three away goals you have to bring something home with you.
“The next game’s only in a couple of days which is a chance to make things better.”
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