Partners in crime pose huge threat to Athletic

ATHLETIC’S defenders will have to be on their guard at Boundary Park tomorrow when they face one of Coca-Cola League One’s most potent strike forces.

To see Brighton struggling on the fringe of the relegation places in surprising bearing in mind the goalscoring exploits of Glenn Murray and Nick Forster.

The deadly duo have already found the net 17 times between them, a statistic even more creditable bearing in mind both have had spells out through injury.

Athletic manager John Sheridan, who himself boasts a vastly-experienced and proven strike duo of nine-goal Lee Hughes and on-loan Darren Byfield, is aware of the danger Murray and Forster pose.

He said: “We have had Brighton watched a lot and Murray and Forster will be a big threat.

“They have not played a lot together this season because of injuries, which is unfortunate for Brighton.

“Unfortunately for us, they are both fit and available and we will have to be alive and aware of the danger they pose.

“They are the sort of players who will score goals if you take your mind off the game for a split second.

“Brighton paid a lot of money for Murray, who is one of the best strikers in the division, and Forster has been around for a long time and is cute, clever and experienced.

“But we are not stupid or naive and know they will be a threat if we let them be one.”

While wary of Murray and Foster, who have 10 and seven goals respectively, Sheridan stressed the need for Athletic to concentrate on their own strengths.

But he is surprised to see tomorrow’s opponents struggling near the foot of the table.

They have lost their last four matches – against Cheltenham, Huddersfield and Stockport in the league and at Hartlepool in the FA Cup.

He added: “When I look at the team Brighton have and the money they have spent, I would have been expecting them to be one of the teams up at the top or thereabouts.

“They will be thinking that if they can get on a good run they can still push the teams at the top so we have to make sure it doesn’t start with us.

“I am expecting a hard game, but there must be a reason why they are losing matches and we must make it as hard as possible for them.”

Athletic, in contrast, are riding high after winning their last three league games against Northampton, Southend and Walsall.

But a word of caution: Athletic have failed to beat the Seagulls on their last three visits to Boundary Park.

Tomorrow’s games sees the first managerial head-to-head between Sheridan and his former Leeds United team-mate and pal Micky Adams.

Said Sheridan: “Micky is a great lad and a character and I enjoyed playing in the same team as him.

“He is an experienced manager who has done well in the game. I have a lot of time for him.”