Latics boss rockin’ for Robins challenge

James Wilson: the Athletic defender (right) is expected to face his former club on Good Friday.

NOBODY outside the club gives Athletic a prayer against Bristol City — and that is just the way Dean Holden likes it.

The runaway Sky Bet League One leaders head to SportsDirect.com Park on Good Friday (3pm kick-off) bolstered by a 10-point cushion at the top of the table and with a recent Johnstone Paint Trophy final victory over Walsall under their belt.

Steve Cotterill’s side are unbeaten in nine and have four straight wins away from Ashton gate to boot.

By contrast Athletic, who expect to have ex-Robins centre-back James Wilson and Joseph Mills back in the squad ahead of two games inside four days, have picked up only nine points from a possible 30 in their last 10 games.

Injuries have hampered Holden, but the manager is confident of his side turning the tables on a side surely destined for the Championship next season: “We know we are up against it,” he said, “but that’s a challenge we relish.

“It is nice to prove one or two people wrong and that is a motivation. It is what we will be doing on Friday. There won’t be anyone outside our own camp, in the wider football world, who gives us a chance against Bristol City. But that stands for nothing. We have seen time and time again what this division is like.

“We know if we put in the right performance on the day and don’t worry too much about the opposition, we have proved we can beat anyone in the division. That is our challenge.

“They are up there and rightly so. They are very consistent and have some top players in this division and a very experienced manager behind them who has proven to be a success over the years.

“It will be a tough battle but one we are looking forward to.”

While Wilson and Mills should be available for selection against the Robins provided they suffer no setbacks with their respective calf injuries, it may be that another ex-Bristol City man Liam Kelly (calf) is saved until the trip to Crawley on Easter Monday.

Loan midfield man Jacob Mellis (hamstring) was to be assessed in training this morning.

“Liam Kelly has had a slight setback at the end of last week, but should be fine — certainly for Crawley,” Holden added. “We will try to get him in the squad for Bristol City, but that might come slightly too soon. George Elokobi might be in training at the back end of this week, but he will need a bit of work before he comes back into the squad.

“Amari Morgan-Smith is still a couple of weeks of training away from being involved.”

Holden was at Valley Parade last night to see Chesterfield see off Bradford 1-0. The Spireites, who travel to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday, April 18, claimed the points thanks to a Byron Harrison goal to move above Rochdale in the table.