Shez sets sights on a flying start

JOHN SHERIDAN. . . “We have the players to match anybody in this division” Spotlight on Latics with MICHAEL YARWOOD

JOHN SHERIDAN has outlined his ambitions for the new season – and he insists automatic promotion must be the aim.

Sheridan has achieved sixth and eighth places in his two years at the helm and now, with a clutch of new signings on board, the manager says Athletic could go all the way.

Ahead of tomorrow’s curtain-raiser at home to Millwall, he explained: “For the last two seasons we’ve started badly and then kicked off on a good run, so first and foremost we’ve got to win games early.

“Millwall aren’t going to be easy – far from it – but we need to be ready for them and make a positive start.

“There will be about 10 clubs involved at the top this season, but after finishing sixth and eighth I think we’ve got to look at automatic promotion.

“I’m not saying the play-offs wouldn’t be nice, but we have the players to match anybody in this division and I’ve got to believe we’ll be one of the sides who go straight up.

“There are lads coming back from injury who missed most of last season, like Sean Gregan, Andy Liddell, Craig Davies and Lee Hughes, so they are a bit like new signings.

“We’ve got new players, and we’ve got people like Kevin Maher and Mark Crossley who can do a lot of talking on the pitch, which I think is vital.

“One or two things have been changed in training, so hopefully that will pay off when it comes to the point of winning league games.

“Going forward we are a team who can excite, but it’s about putting the ball in the net – we’ll need to improve on our record last season.

“We did well defensively and we’ve looked solid again in pre-season, so I want my strikers scoring goals and midfielders like Danny Whitaker chipping in as well.

“Training might be a bit boring because I’ll work a lot on team shape and set-plays, but you need to be organised enough to get results.

“Hopefully my squad is stronger than last year, and it’s pleasing that there aren’t many injuries.

“I know the shape we’ll be using and now I need to fit in the right personnel but, for me, we’ve definitely got a chance.”

While Athletic have had a busy summer in the transfer market, their first opponents of the season are also bedding in new signings.

Among Millwall’s recruits are midfielder Nadjim Abdou, who played 31 games for Plymouth last term, goalkeeper David Forde from Cardiff and forward Ashley Grimes from Manchester City.

Kenny Jackett’s side – with ex-Athletic loan player Lewis Grabban in their attack – are out to improve on last season’s disappointing 17th place.

And Jackett has echoed Sheridan in sending out a message full of confidence.

He said: “There is not a reason to fear anybody in this league because we are capable, very capable.

“There is no reason for us to feel overwhelmed by going to any ground or by anyone coming to The Den.

“I am not looking out for any other team in particular. You have to play them all at some point, but we are looking to make an impact in the first couple of months.

“My players have worked very hard physically and we should expect to be competing at the top end throughout the season.”

LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES: Bristol Rovers v Carlisle; Crewe v Brighton; Hartlepool v Colchester; Huddersfield v Stockport; Leicester v MK Dons; Leyton Orient v Hereford; Northampton v Cheltenham; Athletic v Millwall; Scunthorpe v Leeds; Southend v Peterborough; Swindon v Tranmere, Yeovil v Walsall.