Frustration for Holden as talks loom

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 27 April 2015


DEAN Holden expects to meet Athletic chairman Simon Corney later this week to discuss the long-term managerial position at the club.

But the rookie boss’s chances of extending his stay in the hot-seat can’t have been helped by a tame loss at Walsall on the penultimate afternoon of the season.

Rumours are rife that Iain Dowie could be on his way back to SportsDirect.com Park soon, and while Holden has impressed many, he has struggled to reinforce his claim with victories.

The last time Athletic picked up three points was against Rochdale, eight games ago. And with 15-goal top scorer Jonathan Forte missing for the last five outings, only three goals have been scored in that period.

A blank in front of goal at Walsall frustrated Holden, who now wants Athletic to end the season with a bang against Peterborough on Sunday.

“You would have to ask the board,” said Holden, asked if the defeat might have cost him the manager’s job beyond the summer.

“We have missed our top scorer for a month and it is difficult,”said Holden. “The lads know they have one more game to finish on a good performance.”

Corney is due to return from the United States midweek and the announcement of a new manager could happen before the Peterborough game.

Athletic occupied a play-off spot as recently as Valentine’s Day, before slipping to their current 16th.

Holden hinted that the players need to ask if they have given enough: “We’re in the part of the season now where we look back and think what could we have finished? It wasn’t a good enough performance at Walsall and the lads know that.”



ATHLETIC’S under-18s are bidding for silverware tonight at SportsDirect.com Park.

The club’s youngsters take on MK Dons in the national final of the Football League Youth Alliance Cup (7pm kick-off). Admission is £4 adults and £2 concessions.

twitter: @Matt_Chambers_