It was something of a surprise to many when Andy Liddell was allowed to leave Sheffield United at the end of last season. The versatile 32-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign on the right side of midfield for the Blades last term, scoring a number of vital goals including an FA Cup brace against Aston Villa. However, the £800,000 arrival of winger Paul Ifill from Millwall has prompted the former Wigan and Barnsley man to move to Oldham on a three-year deal in search of regular firstteam football. Liddell becomes Ronnie Moore's ninth capture of a busy summer as the Latics boss hopes to avoid last season's relegations worries. Givemefootball's Mark Shail is the man armed with the questions.
Q:DID IT COME AS A SURPRISE TO BE LEAVING SHEFFIELD UNITED AT THE END OF LAST SEASON?
A:I was a little surprised, but when a player in your position comes to the club for nearly £1 million it's obvious that your chances are going to be limited and it looked like it was curtains for me.
Q:DID THAT COME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT?
A:It was only disappointing in the fact that I'm a Yorkshire lad and I was leaving a big club with fantastic support. The facilities are excellent, and the players want for nothing, but in the end Neil Warnock made a decision he thinks will benefit the football club and you have to move on.
Q:HOW DID THE MOVE TO OLDHAM COME ABOUT?
A:Initially, I spoke to a couple of other clubs, including Stoke, but when their manager Tony Pulis left at the end of the season that went quiet. I then got a call from Ronnie Moore and was impressed by what he had to say and within a few days I had agreed a deal. It's a fresh challenge for me, I'm back in the north west, where I spent a lot of time playing for Wigan, and am very happy.
Q:ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON?
A:I just love playing football, I could play all year round, the summertime is boring for me, that's why I left Sheffield United because it as clear that I wasn't going to play a lot of football there next season. I always give it 100 per cent, everything I've got on the training ground or on a match day.
Q:SO WHAT IS THE TARGET FOR OLDHAM NEXT TERM?
A:Promotion has to be the target, although it's going to be tough. Forest look as though they will go well next year – they've signed a couple of my old teammates from Wigan and they]re sure to be right up there challenging. But we have signed nine or ten players of our own and there's no reason why we can't finish in the top six at the very least. A club with Oldham's tradition should not be in this division.
Q:HOW DO TOU THINK YOUR OLD CLUB WIGAN WILL DO IN THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:I think they will surprise a few people and stay up. Paul Jewell has done it before with Bradford and there's no reason whey he can't do it again because there are a lot of underrated players at Wigan. Paul is finding it hard to sign players at the moment, but I'm sure there will be a number of new faces at the JJB before the season kicks off.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL AMBITIONS IN THE GAME?
A:To help Oldham get promoted and to play for as long as I can. I don't know what position Ronnie wants me to play and I don't really care as long as I'm in the starting line-up. We've signed a lot of new players and there is a real buzz about the place, I just can't wait to get started.
