Tweaksneeded in hunt for goals

Danny Philliskirk

TWO down, at least another 47 to go.

Athletic’s season is in its infancy, with only a draw at Colchester and a comprehensive home loss to Middlesbrough providing clues so far as to how Lee Johnson’s new-look squad will fare in 2014-15.

So far, it has been a very mixed bag. There are arguably more questions than answers emerging from those first two outings — and thankfully, there exists another two-and-a-half weeks before the transfer window shuts in case Johnson decides he needs to switch things around. A week after that and the loan window re-opens.

One of the main posers hanging in the air at the moment is how best to set up the team tactically.

In pre-season warm-ups, a 3-5-2 formation was generally the preferred option.

At Colchester, captain Liam Kelly was deployed as a holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 shape that was switched back to a 3-5-2 late on as Johnson and his men came away with a useful draw.

But in starting how he finished at the Weston Homes Community Stadium against well-fancied Championship outfit Boro, Athletic found the going much too tough.

Aitor Karanka’s men were able to build attacks down the flanks from the off almost with impunity, as Athletic’s wing-backs Joseph Mills and Brian Wilson were exposed in dealing with multiple numbers running at them.

Back to 4-1-4-1 Athletic went, partway through the first half, and matters got slightly better after that change. The tone of the tie had already been set, though, and the visitors were very rarely troubled at all.

Athletic’s run of league games without defeat currently stretches to 11 and that is down to being difficult to breach in the latter stages of 2013-14.

Only six times was Paul Rachubka left to pick the ball out of his goal in the 10-match unbeaten sequence of last term.

But on home soil at least, supporters are justifiably demanding more goalmouth action at SportsDirect.com Park.

Having Jonson Clarke-Harris as a lone front man with five midfielders behind him did not always produce fireworks last season, but it did provide the results needed to stave off fears of relegation.

Right now at least, the 20-year-old doesn’t seem to naturally enjoy playing in that solo role. It means Johnson is left with something of a dilemma.

The manager has stressed that various team shapes have been worked on during pre-season.

Perhaps it may be an opportune time, with two League One home games in succession, to head back to a tried and tested 4-4-2 in the hunt for goals.

With Jonathan Forte and Carl Winchester or James Dayton on the flanks, a front two of Clarke-Harris and Danny Philliskirk could potentially profit from a supply line featuring pace and subtlety.

Liam Kelly and Timothee Dieng could then provide the necessary cover in the middle — with Kelly able to get forward when needed, more than he has done so far in an Athletic shirt.

At the back, it would leave Brian Wilson and Mills with a fairer workload than they were faced with against Boro, while George Elokobi and James Wilson appear a potent combination of power and pace even in the absence of the talisman of last season, injured Adam Lockwood.

Do Athletic need more players? Elokobi’s recent addition leaves the defence filled with experience, in front of veteran ’keeper Rachubka. There are few worries on that score and in the centre of midfield, there are also plenty of options for Johnson to juggle with.

Another striker to take the pressure off Clarke-Harris’s shoulders would be ideal, though Amari Morgan-Smith’s schedule return to fitness soon may play a part in that.

The main area the manager will seek to bolster his squad is on the flanks, after the breakdown of at least one loan deal on that front.

Loan deals are often derided among supporters, often with justification. It can seem that borrowed players are primarily out for themselves, rather than their temporary employers.

But Athletic don’t seem to be too far away from having a well-balanced squad. And the touch of extra zip out wide brought by a promising loan signing from the Premier League might be just the trick to ignite the campaign.

mattchambers@oldham-chronicle.co.uk