Words by Gary Carter
OLDHAM V MK DONS – LEAGUE TWO – TODAY (SAT)
SAM Surridge hopes for a better Oldham debut than he had for Yeovil – an 8-2 defeat!
And he had the best seat in the house as he was sat on the subs’ bench at Luton for seven of the goals.
The Bournemouth man has headed out on loan to continue his footballing education at the relegated Latics.
But he hopes for a better start to League Two than last season, which started going wrong before he even reached Kenilworth Road.
“We got stuck in traffic on the way,” Surridge recalled.
“And the bus back was horrendous, it wasn’t the best of atmospheres on the way home, no-one spoke. It was an awful day all around.
“I came on in the 70th minute when it was 7-2, that was a bit of an eye opener but even then I still fancied myself!
“Luton did something like that to five or six teams last year, at least it wasn’t just us.
“I learned a lot and scored a few goals. This is my third loan and I’m ready for it, I’m looking to get off the mark today.
“I’m better going out on loan, a lot of people do. I’ve seen the difference in people who’ve been out, it’s massive.”
Striker Surridge, 20, has a good teacher in new Oldham boss Frank Bunn, a club legend after his goalscoring heroics in the ‘good old days’.
And he admitted he has already passed on hints and tips.
Surridge added: “Frank rang me up and we talked for quite a long time. We talked about the club and the fact he’s an ex-striker.
“I had a few other offers but he seemed interested in me and I wanted to work with him. It was good to feel valued and appreciated.
“And he’s already showed me a few things about finishing.”