Adams: We're in good shape

11:44pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008

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Albion manager Micky Adams believes his team is in shape for Saturday’s test at Oldham – after focusing on fitness levels.

The players have been through a punishing schedule of double training sessions since the fifth-bottom Seagulls were beaten on their last outing at Stockport eight days ago.

Adams said: “We’ve had a mini pre-season, which has involved a lot of physical tests.

“We wanted to see what state of fitness they were at and what it showed is that some, not all of them, needed a little bit of a top-up.

“I think it will have done everybody the world of good. We’ve been pleased with what they have done and now it's back to football.

“I would think a lot of managers have given their players a bit of time off but obviously we couldn't do that, not in the situation we find ourselves in.

“We’ve had a disappointing beginning to the season. Coming away from Stockport, people said what a good footballing team we were. Against Huddersfield we played some good stuff but lost again.

“We have let ourselves down recently in terms of results, if not performances. We need a result, three points from somewhere, how ever we get them. We have all got to stand up and be counted.”

Adams will be trying to get the better of former Leeds team-mate John Sheridan, who has steered Oldham into fourth spot after finishing just below the Seagulls in eighth last season.

“This is the first time I have ever faced him as a manager but I have seen him on coaching courses,” Adams said. “They are doing great.

“We know what we are capable of doing but we have got to go and do it.

“A lot of people are writing us off. We have got to roll our sleeves up and get on with it. It’s nothing I haven’t faced before.”

Oldham have been boosted by the return to fitness of winger Deane Smalley after a hip injury.

Smalley came through a reserve game at Walsall on Tuesday and trains with the first team squad today and tomorrow.