SELIM Benachour has warned no-one can rest on their laurels in the Latics line-up.

The interim head coach made seven changes to his first starting line-up, following defeat at Salford City in League Two.

And he saw a reaction from his new-look side when they took on Sunderland in the Papa John’s Trophy as they knocked out the holders at the Stadium of Light thanks to Harry Vaughan’s winner.

But Benachour says no-one’s place is guaranteed as he makes his choices based on not just matchdays but also their work ethic in training, with Vaughan earning his return to the starting XI thanks to his efforts at their Chapel Road training base.

Benachour has been on the Oldham payroll for 18 months after being appointed to the Academy, but has a regular at first team games at Boundary Park so he is aware of the senior players. But he says he is learning more about them as he works more closely with them.

“I need to find my (best) team so of course I make some changes. I need to see a lot of players,” he said.

“I’m new like Conor (Marlin). I know them but I need to see more.

“I made a lot of changes (at Sunderland) and they gave me a good response. Everybody will fight for a place. Nobody can play and be in their comfort zone so that is good.

“I want them to give me a headache to choose my first XI.”

Benachour had Latics in training for part of their free weekend as they build up to tomorrow night’s visit of Tranmere Rovers, as League Two action resumes.

He also organised a team meal on Friday to help garner team spirit following a mid-season managerial change.

But he believes he saw a sense of unity in their last outing, particularly from the fans.

“I want to tell them thank you for coming and supporting us until the end (at Sunderland),” said Benachour.

“I know we are going through a tough moment, through the Covid pandemic, and I know there are problems with the club and the fans, so I want to tell them thank you.

“That’s why we went over at the end and we clapped.

“I’m very proud of the fans, they never give up and this is good for the future.”

Of the players he added: “I saw lots of players who were switched on and everybody wants to go in the same direction and I think it’s positive for the future.

“I saw a solid group, a solid performance. I saw more work from my midfielders, from Cisse, from my defenders - all the players were switched on.

“Raphael (Diarra) did very well and I hope this is the start of a good spell.”