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Now cheer the lads to league safety
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date online: 27 February 2013
STICK with us is the message to Athletic’s “unbelievable” supporters as the club now focuses solely on avoiding relegation.
Caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk felt the support shown in the 3-1 FA Cup fifth round replay defeat at Goodison Park was something special.
Now he says the team needs the fans to provide similar backing in the league run - particularly with tough fixtures coming up.
“The supporters were outstanding,” said Philliskirk. “Even at 3-0, when you think they could go the other way, they just sang and sang. I was really pleased we got a goal and put on a bit of a show in the
second half to given them something to cheer about.
Hopefully they will stay with us until the end of the season and cheer the team towards getting the points we need to stay up as quickly as possible.”
Smith’s goal was his fourth against Premier League opponents this season. Philliskirk faces a tough decision over whether to start the in-form striker in the home game against promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Saturday.
With Athletic’s relegation rivals Hartlepool, Bury, Colchester and Scunthorpe all winning last night, the club drops to 20th in the table — one point clear of the drop-zone.
“All the other results went against us; now we go from one massive game to another,” Philliskirk added.
“I am sure if the players continue in the vein they are, with the spirit they have shown, we will be okay. We have set them a goal of winning five games. Our next two games are Sheffield United - top of the league; and Tranmere, who are up there as well. They are very important games.”
Comments
you can start tony by dropping iwellumo and playing smith.
that first half was like playing with 10 men. we know you dont want the job and to make big decisions and you need someone vocal on the pitch but while we are waiting for a new manager have the strength to drop big chris. PLEASE
I thought Athletic were desperately unlucky on two occasions not to chalk up a score but what impressed me most was the foisty way they forced Everton into mistakes whenever they had possession by being swiftly upon them. If they can take that into the remaining league matches then we could see an improvement.
Congratulations on last nights performance! Unfortunately you never had a chance after Moyes' comments on the refereeing of the first match 'not being to premiership rules'. Silly me I thought the same LAWS applied to all levels of football but obviously not! It is obvious to anyone that referees always favour the most influncial premier league sides even in that league so what hope for us? Get behind the team on Saturday although I doubt if anything will go our way against a big named club
The only people cheering the lads and the club onto safety are the hardcore 2,500 - 3,000 fans. This time next month the FA cup success story of this season will be a long distant memory to some and the glory hunters will be long long gone. It's a shame, but unfortunately the truth..........
Tony is doing a great job!, but I think it is time we got a manager in, he is trying to juggle his time from the seniors to the juniors which is ridiculous.
Funkster, Matt Smith has been playing carrying a shoulder injury, hence the Iwelumo loan.
Cancel Iwelumo's contract.Maybe if we had 11 committed players in the first half, found the tangerine shirts when we had the ball and IF Baxter's shot had gone in, we may have made life more difficult for Everton.
Second half we looked more determined. Great support and same again Saturday! OTID...L4E
Wrong ax there are prob another 500 fans that follow latics from far away an attend quite a few away games and can only afford to take in the odd home game (Portsmouth last Saturday alone cost me almost £300 if you include over £80+ in latics shop. What I want to see now is a consistant level of application in the league. The players have proved they can fight and battle in the cup and I'd like to see the recent league form continue - We ARE too good to go down but we need the passion every week
The noise at Goodison, at the City Ground in Round 3 and at BP in Rounds 4 and 5 was deafening. Even those whose natural character is to find something to moan about, before offering any encouragement [Ammy et al]... cannot deny that this must help the team. To all Latics fans out there who have enjoyed the FA Cup run this year... I deplore you... get down to BP as often as you can between now and May, you club needs you!
I'm not wrong IOWPete. Are you telling me there will be 7,000 - 8,000 fans at the Sheff UTD game or Tranmere game. I don't think so mate. Total respect to you,but i'm talking in general terms.
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Fantastic journey lads you did yourselves and the whole town proud.Keep the fighting spirit going and we will be o.k.I can't help thinking though if only Matt Smith had been on from the start.
By william10 @ 27/02/2013 13:00:04