LJ: I had no choice

Lee Johnson

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson has shrugged off his ‘tinkerman’ tag and is determined that a side containing top scorer Jonathan Forte will make things very tough for high-flying MK Dons.

The set-up of three centre-backs in the Yeovil defeat — Genseric Kusunga, James Wilson and George Elokobi — brought criticism in some quarters that Johnson had come unstuck by way of change for change’s sake.

He rejects that notion, though, pointing out that the loss of Forte and captain Liam Kelly on the eve of the game forced his hand into making significant alterations.

And the 33-year-old compared his predicament last week to that faced by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers’ struggle to readjust this term after going close to winning the Premier League title.

“It was unfortunate, as that formation was our ‘Plan B’,” Johnson told the Chronicle.

“We always work on two formations so that we can adapt during a game if need be.

“It started off as a 3-5-2, with the emphasis on attack. But due to our giving the ball away so often, it became a 5-2-1-2.

“I don’t know how many picked up on it, but I actually changed it before the first Yeovil goal — so we actually conceded the four goals in our usual shape and routine.

“I understand the comments people have produced about it, but it is difficult not to ‘tinker’ when you lose two players as important to us as Liam Kelly and Jonathan Forte the day before the game.

“Any team would suffer in similar circumstances. Just look at Liverpool, who have struggled this season after they lost Luis Suarez and with Steven Gerrard another year down on the clock.”

Forte has recovered from a ’flu bug and will start in what is likely to be a shaken-up side at MK Dons on Saturday.

There is also the slimmest chance of Kelly making a return from his hamstring problem.

But that would only happen if the player himself felt fully ready and had the assent of club medical staff. However, it is more likely he will again miss out.

Johnson, who says he is still hurting badly from the 4-0 loss to his father Gary’s side, wants his men to dig in at Stadium mk, first and foremost.

“How we react now will show a lot about our character,” Johnson said. “It isn’t even necessarily all about the result.

“It’s about our ability to go back to basics and to dig in.”

TICKETS for Athletic’s game at Fleetwood on Saturday, January 17, have sold out for visiting fans.

The allocation of 1,277, including 858 standing, is all gone and the club won’t be getting any more.

RONNIE Moore is targeting promotion next year after taking over in the hot-seat at Hartlepool.

The Sky Bet League Two club sacked former boss Paul Murray two weeks ago and have replaced him with ex-Athletic manager Moore (61). Pools have also announced a takeover of the club.

“I honestly believe we’ll survive and the new people, they’re going to take the club forward very quickly,” said Moore, whose new side are currently bottom of the division.

“Survival this year and I think we’ll be pushing for promotion next season.”