Locky preaches upbeat approach

A POSITIVE mindset is key for Athletic’s dual-role defender Adam Lockwood.

The 33 year old returned from his injury-imposed exile for the first time this season as a late substitute against Preston .

Lockwood was last week appointed as Dean Holden’s right-hand man following Lee Johnson’s move to Barnsley.

Lockwood looked a little rusty in offering very vocal advice to team-mates to buck up their ideas as they fell away against the powerful North End side.

“It has been a frustrating time and it was great to be back, though I wish it had been in better circumstances,” Lockwood said. “I’ll give my all in both my roles and keep myself as fit as possible and available for selection. If we decide it is the right thing to do then we will see where we go.

“The club has had a little bit of upheaval and you can’t get away from that. But everybody is positive and that’s the way I always approach things.

“All of the lads when you speak to them are positive.”

Athletic’s thumping by Preston was their third loss in a row following the rousing 2-1 defeat of Swindon which ignited play-off hopes.

Without Conor Wilkinson as a focal point up front, no goals have arrived in the past three games either.

Lockwood says he and Holden will look at what needs to be fixed.

“We stick to our plan and normal routine and win, lose or draw, we keep a happy medium as to how we approach things,” Lockwood added. “We have decided the way we do things is the right way and I don’t think you can let that get distorted by results.”