Training ground graft pays off for Coleman

Joel Coleman

JOEL Coleman aims to make it FIVE clean sheets in a row tonight, after being backed by a manager who isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Athletic head to Oakwell with a 20 year old in goal making his 40th senior appearance. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Bolton-born goalkeeper, who lost his place to David Cornell during David Dunn’s time as manager and has made errors along the way.

But Sheridan has always been emphatic that Coleman will stay as his number one. And a player who is growing into his role has been on the end of some grown-up advice along the way.

“Joel did well against Walsall and you could see there was a bit of confidence about his game,” Sheridan said.

“When I first came in he was a young kid in the team and sometimes you have to grow up quickly. From day one I think he knows where I am coming from. I will give him as much support as I can and have stuck with him.

“I don’t think he has had a bad time since I have been here. He has made one or two mistakes and that is part and parcel of learning the game. If someone doubts you – and I never have – you roll up your sleeves and work hard to prove you’re good enough.”

Coleman says he doesn’t dwell on the mistakes he made, but puts in effort to make sure they aren’t repeated on match days.

“I always work hard in training to cover the points I feel have let me down,” he says.

If Athletic manage to notch another clean sheet tonight, they will be one away from equalling the club record sequence of six, set in 1982-83 and 1986-87.