Latics’ record is on the line

DEANE SMALLEY: Impressed in the game at Bristol.

JOHN SHERIDAN will be out to defend a proud record tomorrow when Athletic take on struggling Swindon Town.

Sheridan’s side were beaten 2-0 at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, but they have not lost back-to-back league games since September of last year.

Although the Bristol defeat pushed them down to fifth in the table, Athletic are set to name a mostly unchanged team.

Sheridan said: “I’m probably the worst at the club when it comes to losing, but I’m still happy with the way things are going.

“We are playing some great football, so now we have to be stronger mentally, especially away from home, and work harder at stopping people scoring.

“You think about making drastic changes – and I’m not under-estimating Swindon because they are in a false position – but I’m comfortable with the way we played on Tuesday.

“I’m disappointed with some of our results. It’s a concern that we’ve only taken six points from the last 18, but I’d be more worried if we were playing poorly.

“At the end of the day we are still fifth, we are four points off the top two, and we have usually bounced back after losing.

“We are creating chances in every game, although the strikers are worrying me – apart from Lee Hughes, I wonder where the goals are coming from.

“That’s why I’ve been swapping things around up front, but I know they can all do the job.

“I’ve rotated my team a bit recently and it hasn’t worked. There won’t be many changes at Swindon, but we do need to start winning again.”

Andy Liddell comes back into the frame after being rested at Bristol Rovers, but Deane Smalley, who stepped in for his first league start of the campaign, earned praise for his performance on the right.

Sheridan went on: “Andy Liddell is one of our fittest players, but at his age (35) I need to look after him a bit.

“Deane was very good, he worked hard and kept the ball when he had to – he was the best player on the pitch.

“Deane has had a lot of frustration this season because he hasn’t played much football, so I put him in and gave him a chance.

“He didn’t let himself down at all, so that’s one of the areas where I’ve got a few things to consider.”

On-loan Brett Ormerod is favourite to partner Hughes up front, while defender Neal Eardley could earn a recall.

ATHLETIC (from): Crossley, Lomax, Hazell, Gregan, Jones, Smalley, Allott, Whitaker, Taylor, Ormerod, Hughes, Davies, Alessandra, Maher, Eardley, Liddell, Fleming.

SWINDON (from): Brezovan, J Smith, Morrison, Aljofree, Timlin, McGovern, Peacock, Pook, McNamee, Cox, Paynter, Amankwaah, Casal, Nalis, Easton, Corr, P Smith.