Game which means so much

Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 12 March 2015


DEAN Holden wants to see passion and pride in the shirt as he prepares to go “all out” to get one over on his former superiors.

Athletic’s caretaker manager is working on trying to bring in two new players ahead of the test against in-form Barnsley at SportsDirect.com Park, which sets him in a head-to-head with Lee Johnson — the man who brought him into full-time coaching with Athletic in November.

Holden met up with Johnson’s assistant Tommy Wright while on a scouting mission on Tuesday night.

While the conversation was friendly, Holden promises that come Saturday, with a pumped-up crowd behind them, his players will be giving nothing less than their all to get three points and deny Johnson and Wright a triumphant return.

“This is a game that everyone is looking forward to,” said Holden.

“It is looking like Barnsley could bring 3,000 supporters with them and there is certainly plenty of interest from our fans, too.

“I am sure our supporters will be really pumped-up for the game as well.

“That is great for the players. It is important that they use that energy created in the stands, but that they do so with clear, focused minds.

“We don’t want to do anything costly discipline-wise.

“We want passion and the fans want to see players flying into tackles. But it is important that we are sensible as well.

“Barnsley are on a good run, winning five out of five without conceding.

“I think that all the games we have left will be tight now. And there are some great games left for us.

“On Saturday, it is about making sure that we do what we are good at. We need to play to our strengths and with enthusiasm.

“It will be a great occasion. I was with Tommy Wright at Coventry this week and I am looking forward to seeing him and Lee Johnson.

“But I will be going all-out to get one over on them.”

Holden’s loan targets are being kept under wraps, but he is seeking to bring in players he has seen personally rather than relying on video footage.

As it stands, he is still without the services of George Elokobi (calf), Joseph Mills (calf) and Amari Morgan-Smith (hamstring) for the next few weeks.

Midfield man Jacob Mellis has a hamstring tear which means he is missing for three weeks and right-back Brian Wilson serves a one-match suspension for his red card at Yeovil this weekend.

Looking further ahead, Holden confirmed that on-loan Bolton striker Conor Wilkinson will be missing for Athletic’s home game with Rochdale on Tuesday, March 24.

Wilkinson has been called up to the Republic of Ireland’s under-21s squad for their UEFA European Championship qualifier against Andorra which takes place two nights after the Dale clash.

After speaking to manager Noel King, Holden was told that Wilkinson would be required to link up with the Ireland squad on the day of the Rochdale game, meaning he won’t be able to turn out for his club.

Carl Winchester is also a doubt for both Rochdale and the fixture at Bradford that follows it four days later, as he could yet be involved in the full Northern Ireland squad during that international week.