LJ insists sights remain on top six

Date published: 23 February 2015


ATHLETIC manager Lee Johnson is getting on with the task of trying to get the eight or nine wins he feels his side need to finish the season in the top six.

After the blow of a 3-0 defeat at lowly Leyton Orient, a national newspaper report stated Athletic want £150,000 to let Johnson depart and that he fancies a crack at the Barnsley role.

However, after the Brisbane Road loss he said there was nothing to report on any possible switch - "it is as it was, and we continue,” he stated - and stressed his determination to get the points necessary to overhaul the teams currently above ninth-placed Athletic in Sky Bet League One.

This morning Athletic officials were unwilling to comment on the continued speculation linking Johnson with Barnsley.

"We have 15 games to go and we are still in it,” Johnson said. “There is no way we are going to give up.”

“Our fans were brilliant all game at Orient. A lot came and they never stopped singing.”
Those 544 supporters watched George Elokobi and Joseph Mills forced off through injuries. The pair were being monitored today, but Johnson’s primary concern is in fixing a spluttering attack.

“Dominic Poleon on the right is a threat, but he didn’t do enough in terms of quality and Jonathan Forte was poor, for him,” added Johnson.

“Our midfield was very good and the catalyst to our good play. Defensively we weren’t that bad. Sometimes this happens. We can’t be too disappointed.

“I’m down, but it’s not the time to start making drastic changes and getting upset. It’s time to rally.”