Taylor’s joy at six-point haul on the road

GOALSCORER Chris Taylor outlined Athletic’s delight after they picked up another victory away from home.

Taylor said: “In the last week we’ve had two difficult games at Northampton and Southend, so to take six points out of six is very pleasing.

“It probably wasn’t a brilliant game and the windy conditions were never going to make it pretty, but sometimes you’ve got to dig in.

“The trip down (on Friday) took us seven hours and, to be honest, I felt a bit leggy in the first half and wasn’t my sharp self.

“I can’t speak for everyone else, but in the second half we kicked on and got stronger. It’s a really good result.

“I had a part to play in Southend’s goal because it was their right-back who crossed it, but fortunately I was in the right place at the right time to score one myself.

“Lee Hughes took his goal brilliantly, and after that the back four and two central midfielders did a brilliant job to keep the lead.”

Manager John Sheridan revealed that a quiet word with his strikeforce — Hughes and Darren Byfield — helped Athletic raise their game.

He explained: “They were disappointing in the first half and I told them they needed to get hold of the ball.

“I was looking for the spark to come from somewhere, and after half-time we were able to keep the ball for longer periods.

“I didn’t raise my voice, but as a team we hadn’t been working hard enough at one or two things. We were inviting pressure and possession for Southend.

“We can still do much better, but we looked solid against a good team with a good record.

“Not many people win at Southend, but it was a steady away performance and I can’t moan because the most important thing was the result.”

“The players did very well, especially after going behind, and they responded to what I said to them.

“Chris Taylor doesn’t score many goals like that, but I threw him in for the setpiece because we didn’t have many people attacking the ball — he’s a better header of a ball than he thinks he is.

“And our second goal showed what Lee Hughes is all about because he’s selfish in the box and he’ll always shoot if he thinks he has a chance.

“Somebody else would have taken a touch instead of hitting it, but he got it on target and the ball was in the net.

“He’s smart around the box and makes half a yard for himself, so he will always get chances.”