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Johnson looks suited to new role
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date online: 20 March 2013
Athletic 3, Hartlepool 0
FOR a moment he has spent the last two decades waiting for, Lee Johnson cut a composed figure as the final whistle brought down the curtain on an excellent opening-night show.
There was no fist-pumping to the crowd, no sliding on his suit knees down the touchline, no running to celebrate in front of the Chaddy End.
He may be still be young at 31, but Lee Johnson’s maturity stood out with three huge points so stylishly gained. He already looks every inch a manager.
The appreciative home crowd was warmed by the way Johnson succeeded in a match of such vital importance.
Things went perfectly to plan here, with Hartlepool easily seen off and virtually condemned to relegation in the process.
There will be times when Jose Baxter doesn’t play like a dream, creating the opening two goals with scintillating touch-me, score-me crosses and smacking home a clinical third to end the job.
There will be the odd occasion when Jean-Yves Mvoto isn’t quite as magisterial as here defensively, and blips when new-boy Korey Smith, purring away like a high-class family saloon, breaks down while driving back and forth with regularity in built-up midfield areas.
That is the nature of football at this level. Players will make errors and Johnson’s job is as much about keeping his charges concentrating as anything else. For the first half, that is exactly what Athletic managed to do.
Setting up with Smith and captain James Wesolowski in front of the back four, Robbie Simpson was charged with providing a muscular threat on the left while Lee Croft burrowed up and down the right.
In between, Baxter was given license to roam and up front, Barnard is worth a heavy mention for his non-stop work-rate.
Both first-half goals were provided by Baxter. First he swung a undefendable left-footed cross which Simpson rose to power home six yards out. Then, after a poor corner was cleared back to him, the mercurial star landed an inch-perfect ball on to the head of the charging Mvoto.
In between, Croft was denied his first goal of the season by a good save as Athletic harried and forced mistakes out of their bewildered visitors.
The pace wasn’t kept up in a much closer second half. It didn’t really matter, thanks to Baxter’s terrific left-footed drive from the edge of the area which put paid to any lingering nerves with 20 minutes left.
There will be no party balloons and cake after a solitary win after four straight losses.
Shrewsbury are next, away. Athletic are already out of the bottom four and have games in hand.
Win on Saturday and the Shrews, another rival, will be dragged into the dogfight.
Johnson’s work has barely begun and this season is far from over. But signs of promise are impossible to ignore.
Comments
The whole team were excellent last night. Baxter was really top class and Smith looked a class act as well. Long way to go but if we keep this up we will be fine.
Congratulations on a really promising start Lee. Nice to see the formation change to match the players and their best roles. Interesting also to hear what you say about the players still only being fit for 70 minutes of the game. Lets home we get 20 minutes more by the season end.
A sublime positive from last night was the gate of 3,269. After 3 defeats, no goals, an unknown installed as manager and compounded by a bitterly cold night this game was a certain sub 2500 or even a possible sub 2,000. Some fans have obviously listened and have liked what they’ve heard. Unusually for Latics, they didn’t shoot themselves in the foot last night.
Can I be the first to say that I never had any doubt that he was the right man for the job?
we all know that this team is capable of last nights showing, especially if we dont fall behind. Johnson will be judged on how often we play like that and whether we can be a threat 1 nil down. Also i dont think iwelumo has been very impressive but booing him is a great example of why our home form has been disasterous since getting relegated from the premier league.
And there will be times we don't play at home to Hartlepool. Still, good start.
Magic, 4-3-2-1 worked well, effort, industry and passion. Great start! C'mon Latics!
Darth your comments are spot on. The negative comments Iwelumo was getting BEFORE he even got on the pitch were disgraceful. Get behind the boys for the 90 mins and shout and ball afterwards, if needs be.
'well well not so many comments this evening from the so called supporters and there disgusting negative comments that come on here and talk rubbish! away with you all!'
Wasn't able to get to the match last night but three points, three goals and a clean sheet coupled with, from all accounts, a better team performance is all you can ask for. Well done Lee and the team - let's push on now. And regarding the booing of our players - I just don't understand this - how can something positive come out of such negative actions? Never, ever boo your own players!
First impressions were that we were bright, industrious and very hard working for a larger part of last nights game than we have been in ANY match previously this season. 3 Points towards survival, and once LJ has guided us there, only THEN will the hard work really start!
Overall, great start and good luck for the remainder of the season. OTID
A win is a win 3 good points,ammypam your very sceptical give him a chance get beind the boys,look at stockport,
Have Your Say
Well done Lee a long way to go yet so not getting carried away.You could see the drive and determination from the start which sadly apart from the cup games has been lacking this season.I like the look of Korey Smith assured and composed and kept things simple. Overall a good team performance !
By combo @ 20/03/2013 13:09:43