Johnson confident of fans’ support

BUSINESS AS USUAL: boss Lee Johnson (right) keeps training on an even keel despite events of the week. PICTURE: ANTHONY MILLER

ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson wants the club’s fans to rally behind the team as they face the challenge of Doncaster tomorrow.

In a week in which the club’s staff have been under siege over the Ched Evans affair, supporters were split over whether the chase for the convicted rapist was a cause worth fighting for.

The deal collapsed yesterday amid financial concerns over sponsor withdrawals and threats made to the family of board members.

Chairman Simon Corney told friends he planned to step down yesterday morning and is now considering his position.

But the manager remains completely focused on the task in hand - gaining the first win since the 3-0 victory at Rochdale in late November. He has urged Athletic’s followers to maintain their support in a game import in getting Latics’ season back on track.

“We always need the fans and they are always with us,” said Johnson, who has distanced himself from the Evans affair. “I’ve no doubt in my mind they will be 100-per-cent behind us, as always.”

The manager touched on the Evans storm and hinted that it has made bringing in additional players to bolster a threadbare squad trickier.

Loan stars Daniel Johnson, Paddy Kenny, Michael Tidser and Tom Youngs have all left, and with Adam Lockwood and Rhys Turner both three weeks from full fitness, Johnson is left with a squad of only 18 senior players.

“I have got positional targets, there is no doubting that,” the manager told the Chronicle. “But it is not easy, and not with the last few days. We have to make sure we know our plan.

“It could be young loans or Championship-style substitutes.”

Connor Brown is back from a loan spell at Carlisle and is in contention, but Johnson refused to reveal the name of one injured player.

“We had another injury yesterday,” he added. “It’s a bit of a nightmare for us. But we go into tomorrow ready. There is no doubt we are ready.

Athletic are 14th in the table, level on points with Paul Dickov’s Rovers and only three shy of the top-six.

Johnson declared it’s “all to play for” as his side approaches the second half of what has been until recently a positive campaign.

“I’ll be glad if we win the game on Saturday, there is no doubting that,” Johnson said.

“As a manager, you are never the same man until you have had another win that’s for sure. You always have that grating, nagging desire to get three points.”



ATHLETIC’S postponed game at Barnsley has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday, February 3 (7.45pm kick-off).