Sheridan upbeat despite setback

Greg Fleming: Made his debut for Athletic last night.

MANAGER John Sheridan was able to take positives in defeat after Athletic tumbled out of the Carling Cup last night.

Sheridan rested a host of players against Championship club Burnley but felt his team deserved much better than their 3-0 loss.

Admitting some of the defending was below par, he said: “People will look at the score and think it was a hammering, but I don’t see it that way.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but we were taking the game to Burnley until their second goal killed us off.

“I know Burnley were in front at half-time, but there was nothing between the sides and I’m pleased with certain aspects of our performance.

“For 60 or 70 minutes we competed well against a good team from a higher level – the main disappointment was that we shot ourselves in the foot.

“I was comfortable for a lot of the game, but you can’t afford mistakes against Championship players because you will be punished more often than not.

“Everybody at the back knew their jobs, but for some reason they switched off and it ended up costing us goals.”

Sheridan defended his team selection after leaving out five of the players whose weekend victory over Cheltenham put Athletic top of League One.

He said: “I picked a side which I thought could win the game and there’s no way I was taking the Carling Cup lightly.

“To be fair it wasn’t my strongest team, but we’ve got lads who need to play football because I want them to be ready when we get injuries or suspensions.

“I was hoping they would all do well and force me to keep them in there, but one or two looked a bit rusty.

“That’s what happens and it’s important they get reserve games, but overall we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Scotland under-21 goalkeeper Greg Fleming, a summer arrival from Gretna, was handed his debut at Turf Moor in place of Mark Crossley.

Kieran Lee, who had an injury-hit pre-season, also made his Athletic bow, playing as a substitute on the right of midfield.

There was another excellent away following as over 1,500 Latics fans travelled to the game.