Relegation fight could go to final day - Sheridan

JOHN SHERIDAN . . . the Athletic boss says he won’t get wrapped up in their relegation rivals’ results.

ATHLETIC’S hope of staying up could hang in the balance until the last day of the season, manager John Sheridan admits.

With 10 games to go, Athletic are third from bottom in Sky Bet League One, a point adrift of Blackpool in 20th and with at least a game in hand on all the sides round them.

Much hangs on Easter games: Athletic have a difficult trip to Burton on Saturday and have a crucial home clash against Chesterfield on Monday.

Sheridan hopes he can haul his side out of danger by the time play-off chasing Coventry visit on the final day of the season, May 8.

Buyt he says he won’t get fixated on the results of Oldham’s rivals: “I hope it doesn’t, but I can see it going all the way,” Sheridan said. “It’s important we just stay in the mix and give ourselves the best possible opportunity. Results haven’t been too bad, but I don’t want to keep relying on anyone else.”

The manager well-versed in relegation scraps says he has to think further ahead than simply staying up: “I will even be thinking about what I will be doing next season, possibly to get us around the play-offs,” Sheridan added. “I’ll put pressure on myself by thinking like that. I’m confident we’ll stay up.”

Athletic have a run of seven games next month, three at home. The stand-out fixture is away to Fleetwood, currently three points better off, on April 16.