Hat-trick hopefuls

IMPACT: New signing Danny Whitaker made an immediate impression when he came on as a substitute against Millwall on the opening day of the season. Latics v Cheltenham preview

ATHLETIC will be out to achieve their best start to a league season for 18 years when they face Cheltenham Town tomorrow. 

No Boundary Park side since 1990 has launched the campaign with three successive victories, but that’s the reward on offer to John Sheridan and his players.

The 1990 team, managed by Joe Royle and containing stars such as Earl Barrett, Andy Ritchie and Rick Holden, actually won five out of five, equalling Athletic’s club record.

They ended that season as champions, so it would be a happy omen for the present-day squad if they could maintain their encouraging early form.

So far this term, Athletic have stormed back from 3-1 down to beat Millwall and followed up with last weekend’s impressive display at Leeds.

The league table is yet to gain real significance but, for what it’s worth, Sheridan’s men are second behind Carlisle, who have overcome Bristol Rovers and Crewe.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the first two outings was the spirit displayed in adversity, starting against Millwall when subs Danny Whitaker, Lee Hughes and Lewis Alessandra turned the match completely on its head.

Seven days later Athletic went to Leeds as underdogs, but they stubbornly refused to accept the role.

Another awkward test lies in wait at Boundary Park tomorrow as Cheltenham are guaranteed to be honest, hard-working opponents.

The Robins have survived in League One for the past two years, going right down to the wire last season when a final-day victory — against Doncaster, no less — was enough to save their skins.

Top scorer Steven Gillespie promptly left a hole in their attack by asking for a transfer and moving to Colchester for around £400,000

Robins boss Keith Downing spent most of pre-season casting around for replacements, yet the many men who rejected his offers included Gary Hooper (now with Scunthorpe) and Andy Morrell, Marc Richards and Michael Boulding, all of whom preferred clubs in League Two.

That highlights the small budget available to Downing, but he has found some compensation by recruiting two forwards on loan.

Jennison Myrie-Williams arrived for a second spell from Bristol City, while 36-year-old Leicester man Barry Hayles is likely to be a handful for Athletic’s back four.

Hayles made a winning debut last weekend when Cheltenham, having lost at Northampton on the season’s opening day, bounced back at home to Swindon.

Even their own fans expect a year of struggle, but Downing is defiant.

He said: “It was important to get three points on the board early because the longer it goes on, the more anxious you can become.

“We need to get everyone buzzing and motivated instead of approaching a new season with trepidation.

“I know what it takes for us to ramp things up a notch, and it’s time we realised we are an established League One club.

“We aren’t here for three years by a fluke — the club needs a progression and I don’t want to look back at this as a missed opportunity.”

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