I owed us my goal —Wilson

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 22 August 2014


JAMES Wilson felt he had some making up to do after Athletic conceded so early against Port Vale.

The centre-back had been aiming for a clean sheet as he continued to forge an understanding with fellow defender George Elokobi. But up jumped Tom Pope to nod in after only eight minutes.

You can imagine Wilson’s satisfaction at righting that wrong with a header in the second half — his second goal for the club.

“It is not really my job to score, but I’ll take it,” said the former Bristol City man, whose short-term Latics contract was extended for a year during the summer.

“We were unlucky not to be in front, or at least level by that point. I thought we were going to kick on and win the game, but it wasn’t to be.”

Athletic’s defensive unit has come in for some scrutiny with eight goals conceded over the first three games.

But early goal and late scare - from a Chris Lines header - aside, Athletic were very solid at the back - a promising improvement ahead of the Preston game this weekend.

Wilson (25) added: “We deserved the win. It was another sloppy goal against is the main thing we need to work on.

“We are playing slightly differently as a team to how we were last season, so it is getting that bedded in and getting everyone doing the right things at the right times.”