KEITH Curle feels Latics are facing another summer of transition, whether he is in charge or not.

The head coach signed a short-term deal until the end of the season after replacing Harry Kewell at the Boundary Park helm last month.

He has stated his desire to stay beyond the summer, and young defender Kyle Jameson has spoken of his belief that Oldham can challenge at the top end of League Two next season if the club is able to keep the nucleus of this season's squad - and management team - together.

There is plenty to finalise on both fronts.

But whether Curle gets the job on a more permanent basis or not, he feels that a change in some personnel is inevitable.

"Historically, year on year clubs change a certain amount of personnel. We're no different to that," he said.

"There will be a natural progression of some players - some players will move on for different reasons, whether that's through not being offered a contract or turning a contract down and having suitors elsewhere. That's something that historically happens and we're no different to any other football club."

But he said Jameson's opinion was one that he was keen to foster at the club.

"I like to think that players like to be around the environment we're trying to create for them, which I think is vitally important," he continued.

"Winning games is the be all and end all of professional sport, everyone wants to be in a winning team, everyone wants to be in a winning environment.

"The players understand they've got a role to play in that as well. They are accountable for their performances and their attainment of what they produce through the week (in training)."

Although pushing for the play-offs is not mathematically out of reach for Latics, games are running out.

Curle feels that, given more time, the outlook might be different.

"If you look at some of the results that the club have had there's nobody in the division to be scared of," he said.

"The level of consistency, building on performances and bouncing back straight away is something that needs to happen but it's all about having a foundation - a platform and a structure - in place to give you the opportunity to win games."