We owe the fans – Holden

Date published: 27 April 2015


ATHLETIC is in debt to the supporters who dressed up for an end-of-season, away-day party that fell completely flat, says manager Dean Holden.

Both of Tom Bradshaw's goals were controversial but Holden didn't try to hide that his men were second-best and lacked threat in attack.

"The fans travelled in their numbers again and got behind us with the fancy dress and everything,” said Holden.

"It was probably a good day for them until the second goal went in and then the game went a bit flat.

"I think we had a go in the second half and it was important it didn't become three, four or five.

“We owe the fans now. It's not a good enough performance and the players know that.

“Being a player myself recently, you go home and look at yourself in the mirror in terms of, 'did I do enough today? That's what the players have to answer every week they go out. We absolutely want to go out with a bang next week and we owe the fans a result."

Athletic's manager was clearly exasperated by referee Darren Sheldrake's decision to penalise Liam Kelly for a penalty when his captain clearly got plenty of the ball. But he couldn't hold the officials responsible for his side's poor display.

"I don't want to spend all my time talking about referees,” Holden added. "The decisions have gone against us and I'm not going to use that as an excuse.”