Johnson sees the danger signs

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 25 September 2014


ATHLETIC are primed for their biggest game of the season so far says manager Lee Johnson.

Third-bottom Scunthorpe head to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday having taken only one point in the league away from home.

Johnson is mindful that if Athletic can hit the goals trail and make it seven games unbeaten, the buffer zone between the club and the relegation zone will increase to six points. That could potentially put Athletic in touching distance of the play-off zone.

But Johnson is wary of the visitors - pointing out their quality isn’t reflected in their current position.

“They have a good squad of players who haven’t, for whatever reason, quite gelled yet,” Johnson said.

“Paddy Madden hit 25 goals for Yeovil and they spent nigh-on £400,000 to get him. Then there are players like Gary McSheffrey and Matt Sparrow who can be dangerous. They have had a good go financially, but it hasn’t quite clicked for them.

“A win keeps them well away from us in the table. We are at home, so we have to go for it.

“We are looking dangerous. All the attributes are there in the side. We have height, pace, power and intelligence. It is up to the players to make it count, or else someone else who might come in.”

Athletic have scored only four goals in their five home league games so far and Johnson remains in touch with one club over a potential loan target up front.

He was also encouraged by the efforts of substitute Danny Philliskirk at Notts County and backed him to rediscover his goal touch.

Johnson added: “He’ll be scoring again soon. He’s too good a player to go too much longer without a goal.”