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Upbeat chairman backs squad to fire
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 20 January 2012
AT least five places higher in the table and with a Wembley final in the bag: that is the goal for Athletic in the coming weeks, as set by chairman Simon Corney.
The disappointing — but not quite destructive — defeat at Chesterfield means that a win on Monday week is needed for the club to make it through to a lucrative Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final showpiece.
More pressing is the matter of the club’s poor league form. Exeter are at Boundary Park tomorrow (3pm kick-off) and Corney feels that the current squad has more than enough quality to improve without the need for further additions.
“I spoke to Paul (Dickov) after the Chesterfield game and he said there is no danger of the league season being forgotten about,” said Corney, who has today appointed Neil Joy as the club’s new chief executive. See other story.
“We are in 17th place and I believe we have plenty about us to stay up, but you do not want to keep losing games.
“Everyone is scrambling for points. There are no easy games in this division and before you know it, the danger is you could find yourselves four, three, two points outside the relegation zone.
“We are focused and looking for a reaction from the players.
“This current squad should be good enough to be comfortably in the top half of this division and to make it to the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
“If we had five or six injuries it would be different. We have Reuben Reid coming back soon and Dean Furman too, so what more do we need?”
While hopes of reaching the play-offs have been replaced by more fearful glances towards the bottom of npower League One, Corney believes that it is crucial Athletic approach upcoming matches with a positive mindset.
“I think we will be fine, I really do,” he added, as Athletic bid to improve on a run of two wins in 11 league fixtures, both at Boundary Park.
“But we need to get that winning mentality back because when you break it down, it is a little bit deceptive.
“We are having a great season in some respects — but we haven’t won many recently.”
Striker Reid is likely to take a place on the substitutes’ bench tomorrow, having played for an hour in the midweek 3-0 loss by the reserves at Macclesfield.
Dean Furman’s knee injury was being assessed today.
Athletic (probable): Cisak; Parker, Tarkowski, Mvoto, Lee; Taylor, Wesolowski, Adeyemi, Scapuzzi; Simpson, Kuqi.
ATHLETIC'S clash at Stevenage has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday, February 7 (7.45pm).
FORMER Athletic forward Deane Smalley has joined Bradford City on loan from Oxford until the end of the season.
Comments
Well, Mr Corney another day another toothless display by so-called forwards, Is there no one capable of banging in a few goals? If a carpenter were unable to produce the goods he was paid to make he'd soon be out of a job. So, what is it with 'strikers' who don't know how to score goals? Oh, and PD is still making excuses saying poor league results affected the team yesterday. It's playing on their minds it seems. Well, sort it out PD. Fans are getting rather fed up.
Reality check.Strikers are poor S K legs have gone and if we survive this year take his 13 goals off and we are in real trouble for next season.I said at the start of the season we waste money on average strikers with the exception of Simpson: Reid, Smith, Parker,Scapuzzi Feeney (paid off) and now unfortunately S K are poor scorers.Add up their wages and we could have signed 2 decent proven strikers.I thought extra revenue was available for the squad eg COgrady fee,sky game and FA cup?
Poor football,3 sided dilapadated ground and now are owner is happy with a mid table performance.PDs tactics,excuses and signings are questionable at best.Whats the point we will never get promoted when people are happy with poor results.Goals win games and bring the crowds in ask the question what temps new and stay away support to OAFC? Stop wasting money on average strikers look at players like Varney at Fleetwood 250k on unbudgeted FA cup money plus he could get us to Wembley and make 300k +
Scott stop having a go at Mr Corney he is doing a wonderful job, at what i do not know but he is doing a wonderful job. But what i will say half of the team (the non performers) should be ashamed of themselves, they know they are automatic selections and feel they have no need to perform week in and week out. I have always backed the manager but not the chairman, but like you i am get tired of the excuses every week.
I would LOVE to know where the people making the above comments believe we should be finishing? I see Oldham Athletic as a mid table league one club (where we are), anything better than that should be considered a success, we have one of the smallest budgets and fan bases in the league as well as 5 premier league clubs within 25 miles. What more do you want?
Its always full of moaners on here! Every single one of those players as put maximum effort in this season. It seems in front of goal nothing is happening for us. Kuqi as hit bad form of late but he runs is heart out everyweek. We don't seem to be getting the descisions at the moment from the Referee or any luck. PD as done a great job so far and we deserve to be higher in the league with our performances. Keep up the good work boyz and the goals will follow. Wembley here we come!!!
ANT-TICS if you don't perform in your job you lose it. Excuses don't get points, man management, tactics and skill do.Leeds_Latic you are not telling me the Stevenage budget is bigger than ours? We have a small budget and small fan base because people won't part with hard earned money to watch average at best football in poor surroundings. Obviously my standards must be higher and so are the 100s if not 1000s of people who don't go anymore. This club is going in the wrong direction.
Have Your Say
we need win ASAP and to climb up the table.
By Ibby786 @ 20/01/2012 17:47:53