Taylor hails good start

WINGER Chris Taylor believes the rest of League One will view Athletic as promotion contenders after their superb weekend victory at Leeds.

Taylor hit both goals in a fully-deserved win, giving his team six points from their first two games — one of only two clubs in the division with a 100-per-cent record.

The Oldham-born star said: “People are going to take notice of us because we’ve beaten a very good side away from home.

“It’s a good start to the season and we can definitely go on from here if we keep listening to what the coaching staff tell us.

“All we’ve done so far is make the good start which Shez (manager John Sheridan) has been banging on about for a while.

“Obviously Leeds are a strong team and we had to dig very deep, but we got the result we wanted.

“I don’t remember them creating many chances and our centre-backs played brilliantly, but I don’t know anyone who didn’t do the same.

“All the lads deserve a lot of credit and, although I scored the goals, it’s about the team, not me.”

Taylor has already struck three times in the new campaign as he grabbed a dramatic winner against Millwall on the opening day.

Last term’s tally was a modest five, but he went on: “The manager wants me to get more goals this year, which I feel I can do.

“I feel like I’m going to hit the target every time at the moment and hopefully it will be part of a good season — all I’ve ever wanted is to win promotion with Oldham.

“For the first goal (on Saturday), Lee Hughes was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar and I was just glad to be picking up the bits.

“The second was pleasing and I managed to find the corner with it, so I was absolutely delighted when that went in.”

Athletic have rejected bids for the highly-rated Taylor (21) since the end of last season — and they could well receive more offers before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

But he insisted: “I don’t listen to any of that. I just get on with playing football and playing for Oldham Athletic because it’s all I want to do.”

The next test for Athletic — who are second behind Carlisle in the embryonic League One table — is at home to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Defender Kelvin Lomax and midfielder Kevin Maher both returned to the squad at Leeds after short lay-offs with injury.

Athletic have been drawn at home to Morecambe in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. The tie is set to be played on Tuesday, September 2.

The reserves face Manchester City at Boundary Park on Wednesday (7pm).