Cut out the boos, pleads Crossley

Mark Crossley has called for backing from the fans

GOALKEEPER Mark Crossley has pleaded with Athletic fans to get behind their team at Boundary Park tonight.

There were rumblings of discontent in recent home games against Yeovil and Cheltenham, but Crossley says jeering from the stands may have contributed to defeat.

Athletic are about to face Walsall, and Crossley explained: “Sometimes you can feel the tension around the ground, but when the crowd are tense so are the players.

“Fans can be like an extra man, so I beg the crowd to stop moaning and booing – we are seventh in the table, four points off the top.

“We can make it and every player is doing his best. Our away support is different class with the die-hards getting behind us.

“Most of the time our home crowd are good as well, but when times are tough and we are finding it difficult, that’s when we need them most.

“Teams are coming here and putting 10 men behind the ball, so it’s hard to break down and the players need support.

“That especially goes for the younger lads, but the likes of myself notice it as well – the more supportive the crowd are, the better chance we’ve got.”

Manager John Sheridan echoed Crossley’s thoughts, using the weekend victory at Southend as an example.

Sheridan said: “We weren’t playing well, and if that game had been at home a lot of people would have got on the players’ backs.

“It’s only one or two and, don’t get me wrong, they are entitled to their opinion, but at the moment playing away is a lease of life.

“I’ve been there myself – playing poorly and getting moaned at – but I’m proud of the lads in my own little way.

“If somebody wants to give out stick, they can give it to me. It’s part of my job and I expected it when I came into management.”

Before losing to Yeovil at the start of this month, Athletic had staged a 13-match unbeaten run at Boundary Park.

They won 10, drew three, scored 33 goals and conceded nine. In the current calendar year, they have suffered only two home league defeats.