STRIKER George Blackwood believes Keith Curle is the right man to take Oldham Athletic forward.

The head coach signed a deal until the end of the season when he was appointed as Harry Kewell's successor last month.

After stabilising results, with three wins from their last four games, and League football guaranteed for next season with three games to spare, Curle is in a strong position to secure the job longer term.

And Blackwood said it is an appointment that would go down well with him and the rest of the dressing room.

"Keith's been really good. I'm hoping he stays on for next year, like everyone probably," said the striker, who was signed by Kewell last September from Adelaide United.

The former Sydney FC forward has spent much of his inaugural season in English football on the sidelines after suffering a fractured back, during which time there was a change in the Boundary Park hotseat.

But Blackwood made his long-awaited comeback from injury at Morecambe last week before coming off the bench to score in Tuesday night's 3-0 win at Harrogate Town which rubber stamped survival, and he is pleased with the way things are progressing under Curle.

"Everyone at the club is fantastic. I've loved my time here, it's just getting out on the field. But everyone at the club has been really welcoming, from the kit man to the old gaffer and the new gaffer we have now, and the owners, they're all great people so I've really enjoyed being here. Now it's just staying out on the pitch and I know if I can do that I can have a big impact.

"Things have been good and we're looking to get into a routine with this gaffer and I think we've had some good results so fingers crossed we can have him for pre-season next year too," he continued.

"We're obviously liking the time under the new gaffer and I think we'd like him to stay.

Latics have had a managerial merry-go-round with 15 departures in just six years. Kewell's tenure lasted only seven months.

In addition, the majority of his signings were on one-year deals, as has become more common in the lower leagues. But with a number of those either being offered or triggering extensions, Blackwood feels the club would be going into a new season with a solid platform to build on with Curle in charge and able to bring in his own additions.

"I think we've got 10 or 11 signed on for next year and they're all quality players. I think if we can make a couple of good quality signings in the break we can have a real good, strong season next year and that's what we're looking forward to," said the 23-year-old, who feels generating stability is important for Latics.

"That would be good, for sure," added Blackwood, who feels the system adopted by Curle suits him in a central number nine role.

"It's a position I'm comfortable playing and I like how the three (forwards) rotate. If I want I can come short and face the defenders and run and also I can run in behind. It suits my game very well so I'm just trying to do whatever the gaffer wants me to do and see how I go."