Both John Salako and Martin Tyler agreed that Brentford's style of player was stiffled by Oldham's tactics and Ian Payne believed that Brentford laked some kind of cutting thrust to be able to break down teams who played the way the visitors did.
Here's how each of the players from tonight's game rated.
Stuart Nelson - Rarely tested throughout the night, made one crucial save in the first half. Struggled once again with his kicking but kept his concentration and will be happy with a clean sheet.
Sam Tillen - Rarely troubled defensively but was exposed on the rare occasions he was. Looked solid coming forward but lacked the invention to turn his posession into worthwile oppertunities.
Sam Sodje - Once more outstanding at the back, looked commanding and incontrol arially. Wanted to bring the ball up whenever possible and was constantly a threat on set piece situations.
Michael Turner - Looked calm and assured along side the Nigerian at the back. Turner was left to pick up second balls and cleared his lines excellently when required.
Kevin O'Connor - Like Tillen was rarely troubled defensively and looked to have the potential of creating something when attacking. Yet again lacked the cutting edge to whip a dangerous ball in or occasionally shoot.
Jay Tabb - Hustled and harried well in the midfield, looked more confortable when playing from a central position, out wide he was not given enough of the ball to run at players so kept drifting in. Should be congratulated for his work ethic.
Ricky Newman - The captain played solidly without ever excelling, his passing ability was contained by the Oldham defensive. Too many long balls in his posession went astray but looked in control and better when he kept things simple.
Darren Pratley - Did well before coming off injured, needed to offer that little bit more in the attacking third and probably would have been brought off despite the injury to be replaced by someone with more creativity. His passing was assured but once more limited to 5 and 10 yards without ever being dangerous.
Paul Brooker - Didn't take the game to the opponents often enough, rarely used his pace to get the better of a sluggish back four. Suffered the same as Tabb that the ball did not travel outwide very often. His ball in for the goal was one of very few decent set pieces he took.
DJ Campbell - Invisible in the first half, had a good claim for a penalty and looked sprightly in the second half. Wasted his one oppertunity in the second half and this was due to his lack of service. Not used to his full potential but being forced to deal with too many long passes.
Lloyd Owusu - Typically strong upfront and carried the Brentford fight. Needed the goal as his efforts looked to be going without a mention. Won many arial battles but his lack of pace and un-natural link up with Campbell prevented more chances being created.
Ryan Peters - Looked bubbly and exciting when he came on, his touch let him down on several occasions and he didn't look completely controlled, as the style of game didn't suit him. Drifted inside to be involved in the game and would have been a bigger threat if he could have got running at defenders.