Johnson’s rethink after fixture rant

Date published: 14 November 2014


LEE Johnson reckons the postponement of this week’s scheduled Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Preston may ultimately work in Athletic’s favour.

North End had their FA Cup first-round fixture at Havant and Waterlooville selected for live television coverage on Monday, meaning the tie that should have been at SportsDirect.com Park 24 hours later had to be held back.

Simon Grayson’s side will now visit in the Northern area quarter-final on November 25 — four days before Athletic’s local derby clash against Rochdale.

Johnson’s initial fears the new schedule could harm Athletic were cooled by a close examination of opposition fixtures.

“At first I had the hump,” admitted Johnson, when told the Preston tie would be pushed back.

“Then I wrote down the games of all the next six teams we play.

Losing the Preston fixture has given us a free week in the run-up to Crawley – whereas Crawley had a JPT tie against Gillingham this week and they then have a long run up here at the weekend.

“Rochdale have lots of energy and if we go there without energy, we will be beaten. But Rochdale also play midweek before they face us. So the way things have worked out has given us a slight benefit.”