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"It's going to be a tough game, as they all are at this time of the season. Carlisle are one of a number of teams who will fancy themselves to be in or around the play-offs, and they've got some experienced players. I think they are one of the best sides we've played this season. Obviously (Karl) Hawley, (Michael) Bridges and (Paul) Murray were all playing then, but they've got some decent players now as well.
"I was disappointed after the Blackpool game as I thought we were the better team up until the goal. We lacked that little bit of luck - Warney (Paul Warne) hitting the bar, for example - and I knew the first goal would win the game. Unfortunately for us, Blackpool got it.
"Even though we've lost four in a row and not played particuarly well, I think we could have got something from all those games. It's no good talking about it, though - we have to go out and do it. We're still in a great position and I believe we're still good for the play-offs or even that second spot.
"I haven't brought him in to sit on the bench - Leon (Clarke) will play at Carlisle. He hasn't had a lot of football because Sheffield Wednesday's strikers are doing well, but he's a young lad who is improving all the time. He's big, strong, quick and has a good touch. I mentioned him to Ronnie Moore last season, but we couldn't get him in.
"I've been impressed with Leon in the past, so hopefully he will score a few goals and give us a spark. We needed somebody to freshen the place up. I'm not saying who I'll leave out, but the fact I've signed Leon is nothing against the players already here. The front two (Chris Porter and Paul Warne) have done very well - and this doesn't mean one of them will be dropped - but I wanted to give the whole squad a boost.
"We've got to go up to Carlisle and look to win - a draw is not much good to us. I'll say it again - this is a game we can go and get three points from as long as we're confident in ourselves."
Leon Clarke, signed by Sheridan on loan from Sheffield Wednesday on Thursday, also commented on his move to the Boundary Park outfit, Clarke saying :
"Brian (Laws) spoke to me yesterday about the possibility of coming to Oldham, and when I heard about first-team football I jumped at the chance. It might seem strange that I've gone out on loan after only moving to Sheffield Wednesday last month, but we've got a few strikers in form and I've found it difficult to dislodge them since getting fit again. I was frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities and didn't want to be sitting on the bench every week.
"I know Craig Rocastle quite well and he said the team have been playing quite well but have just been a little unlucky. Obviously I saw Oldham when they played Wolves in the FA Cup, and they did really well to battle back for a replay. I wasn't selected for the second game, but I spoke to the lads who were and they said that Oldham gave a good account of themselves. My link play is good and I like to work the channels, get behind people and take them on. I hope I can come in, score a few goals and do well for Oldham."
New signing Clarke is named in the Oldham eighteen for tomorrow, with the Latics squad otherwise unchanged from the 1-0 reverse against Blackpool in midweek, the visitors still missing Chris Hall (broken leg), Neil Wood (knee), Stefan Stam and Matty Wolfenden (both hamstring), Moussa Dabo (toe) and Terry Smith (hand). Meanwhile, on-loan Coventry defender Ben Turner serves the second game of a three-match ban after being sent off in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth last weekend. The Latics travelling party is thus as follows :
Les Pogliacomi, Simon Charlton, Craig Rocastle, Will Haining, Richie Wellens, Paul Edwards, Paul Warne, Gary McDonald, Sean Gregan, Chris Taylor, Chris Porter, Andy Liddell, Michael Pearson, Neal Eardley, Kelvin Lomax, Alan Blayney, Leon Clarke and Deane Smalley.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Carl Boyeson from Hull, and he will be assisted down the lines by Scott Duncan from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Mark Lawson from Northumberland. Meanwhile the fourth official will be Paul Kettlewell from Lancaster.