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Philliskirk role secure — Johnson
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 21 March 2013
TONY Philliskirk will remain with Athletic under new manager Lee Johnson.
Johnson told the Chronicle the former caretaker boss is a “massive part” of the future of the club.
Philliskirk has returned to focusing mainly on the club’s youth section on non-match days, with Cliff Byrne and Paul Gerrard assisting Johnson in first-team training sessions.
Philliskirk was in the dug-out assisting the rookie manager against Hartlepool in midweek.
But the main way in which he will help once Johnson has found hisown assistant manager is in preparing youth prospects for the first team.
“Without a doubt, Tony Philliskirk is a massive part of the future of the club,” said Johnson.
“It’s a fact with managers that they are probably not going to stay very long, either way. If you don’t do well, you get the boot. If you do well, you probably move on anyway.
“I am not saying I want to move on. But it is important to have stability at a club on the recruitment side, which incorporates bringing youth through.”
Johnson wants his side to produce bold, attacking football - of the sort that emphatically beat Hartlepool 3-0 on Tuesday.
His first goal is to side-step relegation, then to look carefully at building a squad capable of challenging the other end of the table.
“We have got to score goals,” Johnson added. “I want my team to go for it.”
“We have to get out of relegation trouble. But for me, even next year starts now.”
Comments
Good news especially manager is talking about having a good coach to work with Philliskirk in bringing the younger players through to first team.
Great news, and a rock that L.J. can confide in over a difficult few weeks ahead. Let's hope that we can get the rub of the green in the next few games after what has been the most rollercoaster season's the Latics have ever seen - if there's one word of wisdom - take a deep breath players, and let the ball be your friend - you are good enough - let the consistency and aggression shine through - go for it until the very last kick of the season! Judd the Latics Supporter from Deepest Devon
Great news, and a rock that L.J. can confide in over a difficult few weeks ahead. Let's hope that we can get the rub of the green in the next few games after what has been the most rollercoaster season's the Latics have ever seen - if there's one word of wisdom - take a deep breath players, and let the ball be your friend - you are good enough - let the consistency and aggression shine through - go for it until the very last kick of the season! Judd the Latics Supporter from Deepest Devon
OS.....was there really a need to have ANOTHER go at the club to what was a simple question to Johnson from Chambers?
Have Your Say
Very noble and gracious of the club seeing he has done more than most at the club!.
By OLDHAM SCOTLAND @ 21/03/2013 16:40:05