Six-point plan for success

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 11 December 2014


Matthew Chambers assesses how Latics push on to make the play-offs

ATHLETIC are in with a real shout of finishing in the play-off positions this season.

Bookmakers have it that it’s pretty much a straight fight between Lee Johnson’s side and Peterborough to claim the available spot in Sky Bet League One not taken up by one of a top five containing Bristol City, Preston, MK Dons, Swindon and Sheffield United.

An ocean’s worth of water is yet to pass under the bridge at this early stage, 19 games in.

Cast aside, though, recent cup disappointments for a moment to consider this.

Athletic didn’t even play particularly well at Rochdale . . . yet still managed to win 3-0, against opponents who have excelled this season.

The ability is present within Athletic’s squad to make it into the play-offs for the first time since John Sheridan’s side came unstuck against Blackpool in 2007.

Here’s our plan to see that it happens.


1, Share the load


Jonathan Forte has scored 13 goals so far this season. Danny Philliskirk has chipped in with five, three coming in League One. Dominic Poleon has yet to get off mark in league games and on-loan Jabo Ibehre — contracted until January 10 — has one in 14 appearances this term, including six outings for Colchester.

Athletic need the scoring burden to be spread more. As potent as Forte is, it is dangerous to reply on him alone to fire the club into the top six.


2, A stable squad


Fears have been expressed by both chairman Simon Corney and his manager that a lack of further progress in the FA Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy might mean financial reins are applied.

James Wilson appears to be the most sellable asset and his departure in the next transfer window would leave a huge hole, due to his pace and defensive reading of the game.

But even if Wilson goes, Johnson already has replacements available to him. And if there is scope to push out some non-performers, keep the loan men and bring a couple in while pocketing the difference, the window may not work out too badly.


3, Hold your nerve


Too often this season — eight times, in fact — Athletic have taken the lead this season without going on to win the game.

Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why on that eighth occasion, at Sheffield United recently when Jonathan Forte slotted home, going a goal-up led to manager Lee Johnson immediately battening the hatches and switching to a less attacking formation.

‘Game management’ has become almost a cliché.

But while it is too much to expect Athletic never to succumb to opponents after going ahead, turning draws into wins is a must in the second half of the campaign.


4. Imaginative ticketing


Athletic will soon have a new commercial manager on board and with that role will no doubt come plenty of initiatives to get the new North Stand packed-out next season.

As for the here and now, though, it’s a struggle to get numbers to SportsDirect.com Park. Crowd figures remain stubbornly low, despite the team’s success on home turf.

Perhaps it is time to have a real push at attracting the floating voter. Package games together and sell tickets at a reduced rate, introduce a half season-ticket at a bargain price.

Heavy discounting might get the backs up of a few season ticket holders. But the bigger picture is, a packed-out ground can only aid the players’ fortunes on the pitch. And that’s of benefit for everyone.


5. Captain Kelly


The midfield general was criticised, mainly early in the season, for being negative in possession. But his work-rate off the ball has gone on to prove to be so important, while that role shielding the back-four isn’t nearly as easy as it might look — as shown by the debacle in the first half of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy recently, when the Scotland inter-national had to come on as part of a rescue act which fell agonisingly short in the penalty shoot-out.

Kelly’s presence in midfield is important as Jonathan Forte’s goals. Pray he stays fit for the whole season.


6. Halfway hopes


There are four games left before the turn of the year: Yeovil (H), MK Dons (A), Crewe (H) and Barnsley (A).

The trip to Stadium:mk appears by a distance the most daunting of the quartet, not that Athletic have done badly against sides near the top of the table on their travels.

Gain enough points from these outings to remain in the play-off places and a psychological barrier will have been passed.


By the New Year, Athletic will have played every side in the division once, and as it stands, there isn’t too much to fear. It’s a downward slope from there on in.