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G-Lee club
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 20 March 2013
Johnson’s delight as Latics win
NEW manager Lee Johnson was delighted with the way Athletic's players delivered his instructions on the pitch to gain three vital points in the battle against relegation.
Goals from Robbie Simpson and Jean-Yves Mvoto were followed by a third from Jose Baxter as nerves frayed a little in the second half against Hartlepool.
Johnson couldn’t hide his joy at picking up a victory to push Athletic out of the bottom four with games in hand over rivals.
Baxter was the talk of the night. Restored to a floating position behind main striker Lee Barnard, he set up the first two goals with superb crosses before finishing the game with a clinical third, his 13th of the season.
“He has that bit of genius in him, doesn’t he?” said Johnson of Baxter. “He may play in different positions, but I wanted to take the shackles off.
“It meant Simpson had to do a job and he did it very well. I know that is not his ideal position, but we needed someone out there to be aggressive and he was fantastic as well.
“Korey Smith, in the first half showed the sort of player he is and little Connor Brown has taken to what I have tried to do by giving him the freedom to make his own decisions.
“There were a couple of things (defensively) that were slightly off-line. But they put their bodies on the line and protected the goal. They deserved the clean sheet.”
Comments
Well what a difference 3 days make from bobbins to brazil, i was not happy with the appointment, i will have custard on my humble pie well done lj and the boys
Altho its just one game the difference between last night and Saturdays performance was chalk and cheese. Urgency is what weve been lacking and a willingness to chase the ball down and play it simple ! Ps And shouldnt that be Big Conor Brown ? ;0)
IOWpete, shhhh now and stop being silly, every new manager we have had has got off to a good couple first results, I have not had a go at LJ or will, but I did question Corney decision to appoint him after all the usual Corney tripe.
Good win and well done to L.J. -- He appears to have put one or two players under scrutiny and has no doubt told them where their future lies if they do not perform to their ability on the pitch. All appeared to put in 50% extra last night and the attacking style using wingers worked really well. Roll on Saturday and lets hope some of those supporters who followed the club in the cup attend to give their full backing.
"The usual Corney tripe" ?!
Er - don't throw stones if you live in a glass house ...
Have Your Say
Brilliant - All the moaners, all the doubters - I KNEW IT. Fresh face, new ideas backed by passion and knowledge gained from several areas. Great tactics - Love the formation and look how Jose thrived on it. When did we last win by three goals? Of course it was just Hartlepool but they had been on a run and needed a result more than us. Great start for Lee - If you wanted to answer your critics Lee - You just did it!
Ammy/Scotland...Shhhhhh be nice and dont make yourselves look silly by moaning
By IOWPete @ 20/03/2013 13:37:06