TOM Hamer is an example for his Oldham team-mates to follow according to boss Dino Maamria.

The Latics boss didn’t hold back after seeing his nine men go down to a 6-1 defeat at Mansfield last time out, Hamer on target for the visitors.

Maamria has made secret of his views about the squad he inherited, believing it lacks depth and quality in areas, Oldham 21st in the League Two table ahead of hosting Macclesfield on Saturday.

Academy product Hamer is one player who has caught the new manager’s eye though as he vows to shake things up in a bid to prevent Latics getting mired in a battle that could see them head out of the Football League.

“I’ve got to speak about Tom Hamer,” said Maamria, who this week confirmed the appointment of John Dreyer as his assistant.

“Oldham through-and-through and an outstanding performance.

“I’m not sure how much distance he covered on Saturday from right-back and he deserved his goal as well.

“So players like Tom Hamer they inspire me to come in every day and make sure that I raise the standard of every corner of the football club.”

Maamria spoke on his arrival about Oldham’s Championship potential but he is well aware of what could lie ahead if things do not improve in the near future, starting against the Silkmen this weekend. 

“We are a League Two club right now, but if we carry on doing what we’ve been doing for the past couple of years probably, certainly the past six weeks, seven weeks anyway, I think we won’t even be in League Two,” the Latics boss said.

“So we’ve got to earn the right to that and I think it’s a wake-up call really.

“I think it’s probably, the biggest thing I’m going to take from Saturday, it’s a proper wake-up call for everybody. Certainly the players.

“The good news it’s mid-October, we’ve got plenty of time to fix it.

“I know exactly what needs fixing, I know exactly who the players I’m going to carry forward with me.

“I pay people good money to perform.

“If you’re not performing then really it’s not fair really is it.

“I’ll get it sorted, I know what needs doing and I’m already on the way of sorting that out and I’ll crack on.”