Defence key to success

REUBEN HAZELL: Developing partnership.

WHILE attacking players such as Chris Taylor and Lee Hughes have gained much of the spotlight during Athletic’s early-season run, the contribution of their defence should not be ignored.

After a distinctly poor start which saw them concede three times against Millwall, Athletic have now gone over five and a half hours without conceding a goal.

That’s 34 minutes against Millwall, 120 at Rochdale and 90 each against Leeds and Cheltenham, not to mention the injury time in each game.

The achievement is collective, but Reuben Hazell hopes his central defensive pairing with Sean Gregan will be key for months to come.

Hazell said: “We weren’t happy after the Millwall game, but since then I’ve been pleased with the way things are going.

“Myself and Sean Gregan didn’t play a lot together last season (due to Gregan’s injury), but the partnership is working quite well.

“A major part of defending is communication, and one of the plusses for me and Sean is that we are both talkers.

“It’s nice to have a player of his stature back in the team and, apart from Millwall, which was a freak game, we are forming a decent partnership.”




PAUL BLACK made his debut for Barrow on Saturday after leaving Boundary Park on loan.

The 18-year-old full-back started Barrow’s home win against Mansfield in the Blue Square Premier, one step below the Football League.

He was on the bench several times for Athletic last season and made two appearances, at home to Huddersfield and Cheltenham.

Black has swapped one Sheridan for another as Barrow – going well in their division and hoping for a return to the league after 36 years – are jointly managed by John’s brother Darren.