Royle sights set on loan striker

Reporter: by TONY BUGBY
Date online: 25/03/2009

IF ATHLETIC make a last-minute splash before tomorrow’s deadline for emergency loan signings, it will be for a striker.

Joe Royle believes his most pressing need is for extra firepower after seeing his side score only one goal in the two matches since his return.

The Athletic manager admitted, however, his search for a striker has so far proved fruitless.

He said: “I would love to bring somebody in because it is not hard to see our problem. We missed three clear chances last night. We only have two goalscorers in double figures and one of them only just (Chris Taylor).

Royle said he has identified a couple of strikers he would like, but had no luck so far with his enquiries.

“I couldn’t say we are near to anything, but you never know what might happen between now and the deadline,” he explained.

Royle was cheered by Athletic’s second-half display at Cheltenham last night, a contrast to the opening period when he was damning in his verdict. He said: “I was angry and, to tell the truth, disillusioned at half time and I was wondering how we have been in the top six for most of the season.

“We were awful - weak, insipid and grey - and I could see why the club has been in a poor run. We were second in every department against a team which is bottom of the table.

“I had a lot to say at half time and the players responded because in the second half we got at it and, though we only equalised in the last minute, we had chances to have won the game.

“There has been a poor response by the players since Christmas, but there was a good one after half time. We dragged ourselves back into the game and played with some passion.

“I can take heart from that. I can see the shape of the team and I know the players better after two games.”

Royle was delighted with the display of Daniel Jones, saying the on-loan left-back was the catalyst for the improved showing.

And he felt Sean Gregan was solid in defence and was his man of the match.

The Athletic manager also hinted it might be time to turn to youth after lively displays from substitutes Lewis Alessandra and Fabio Ferreira.

He said: “There is no reason why we cannot lay the foundations for the future whether I am here for the next seven games, seven months or seven years.

“If it gets to the stage when we cannot go up, then it will be a case of looking very much to the future.

“We are not out of it yet, but we need to put a run together which is out-and-out promotion form.”