Johnson eyes more away points

Photo: PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

MARCHING ORDERS . . . Mike Jones (right) gets his point across as referee Andy Davies dismisses Athletic front man Jabo Ibehre.

ATHLETIC’S fiendishly difficult run of away days could be giving a false reading in the Sky Bet League One table.

That’s the argument hinted at by manager Lee Johnson, after watching his side pick up a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. The result leaves Athletic eighth, two points from the top six.

Johnson’s team has now faced every one of the sides above them away from home except MK Dons.

One win and six draws have come away, but Johnson wants more three-point pick-ups soon.

“Our record away might not look like there are enough wins there, but look at the teams we’ve played.

“In the second half of the season I’m not saying it will be any easier, but hopefully we will be able to pick up some more points.”

Brian Wilson missed the Bramall Lane clash through illness, with Genseric Kusunga filling in despite an arduous set of journeys which have seen him fly to five different countries in the preceding few days due to his involvement with Angola in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

George Elokobi declared himself not quite ready to take on a bench role on Saturday.

He may come in tomorrow at home against Preston, but two men who definitely won’t be involved are striker Jabo Ibehre — sent off at Bramall Lane and under a one-match ban; and Daniel Johnson, who is cup-tied.

Should Adam Lockwood get the nod to start tomorrow, he told the Chronicle he is more than ready to take to the field after being missing from first-team action since picking up a foot injury in pre-season.

“I got 90 minutes under my belt and got a little niggle in the reserves, but I’m fine now,” said club captain Lockwood.

Meanwhile, chairman Simon Corney was back at the club today and Johnson is set to hand him a list of loan targets, with the deadline for deals arriving on Thursday.

Johnson added: “The chairman is over, so I have a list of two or three I will be chucking towards him to see whether we can fund it.”