Shez up for the battle

John Sheridan

JOHN Sheridan has compared Athletic’s current plight to that he faced at Plymouth three years ago.

Sheridan compared his team’s situation to that of the Pilgrims, who were second-bottom of League Two before a rescue act saved them from the drop.

The key to performing a similar trick, Sheridan argues, is for Athletic to adopt a more attacking mindset.

“There were 19 games to go and I managed to win eight and ended up staying up with 52 points in the end,” said Sheridan of Plymouth. “This is similar — probably a little tougher if I’m being honest — but I am very confident I can do it.

“I’m in a tougher league, playing better teams. But if I look at us across the season, it has always been the odd goal here and there doing the damage. I feel as though we need to play 20 yards further up the pitch and not make ourselves vulnerable.

“I’m looking at going forward, winning games by scoring goals. It’s difficult when you are losing games and are in a vulnerable position. But I want the players to have a smile on their face.

“But while people know I love a laugh and a joke at the right time, I want to be a winner. That is something I will be putting straight into the players.”