Latics Preview: Crossley targets an action replay

MARK CROSSLEY is hoping for more post-match celebrations at Leeds tomorrow.

ATHLETIC’S stunning victory at Elland Road last season should be all the encouragement they need ahead of tomorrow’s big showdown with Leeds United.

Leeds are many people’s selection as League One champions this term, but Athletic ’keeper Mark Crossley believes another shock result could be on the cards.

It was on New Year’s Day that Crossley and his side pulled off their memorable win as the mighty Whites, with a previous home record of 31 points out of 33, found themselves 3-0 down at half-time.

They pulled a goal back straight after the break, but Athletic crowned a magnificent team display by holding on with few problems.

Crossley said: “The game was part of our long run (seven successive away wins) and it proved we are more than capable of beating Leeds.

“Obviously one or two faces have changed since then, but I hope we can produce the same level of performance because that was a fantastic result.

“We were better than Leeds in all departments. They were probably having an off day, but we’ve shown we can go there with every chance.

“We need to express ourselves like we did last season. If we defend well on top of that, why shouldn’t we beat them again?

“Leeds are a side with lots of talented players and you’ve got to say they are favourites to win the division, especially because they will probably keep strengthening.

“They started with a big deficit last year (a 15-point deduction) and made up a lot of ground to get very close to promotion, so it stands to reason they will do well.

“It’s a massive club, there’s no question about that, but in our own quiet way we are confident of having a good season ourselves.

“You need results at places like Elland Road if you’re going to have success, so that’s very much our target.”

Athletic’s triumph in January saw Reuben Hazell open the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt – the goal of his career – before Neal Trotman doubled the lead and there was a scrappy third which was eventually credited to Craig Davies.

Leeds had won at Boundary Park earlier in the campaign, with Ian Westlake volleying the only goal deep into stoppage time.

United were beaten by Doncaster in the play-off final at Wembley, but boss Gary McAllister wasted no time in freshening up his squad.

New faces at Elland Road include strikers Enoch Showunmi (from Bristol City), Robert Snodgrass (Livingston) and Luciano Becchio (formerly of Boca Juniors and Barcelona, among others).

Top-class winger Andy Robinson has also arrived from Swansea, but Jermaine Beckford is still the man most feared by opposing defences.

Beckford, widely viewed as the best all-round striker at this level, hit 20 goals last season and is already back in scintillating form.

The £45,000 snip from non-league Wealdstone bagged a hat-trick at Chester in midweek to go with his winner against Scunthorpe on the campaign’s opening day.

A visit to Leeds is arguably the toughest test Athletic will face all season – but few other teams in League One know what it’s like to come away with three points.




LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES

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