Latics in need of creative spark

SEARCHING FOR A BREAKTHROUGH: Athletic forward Lewis Alessandra (right) attempts to break the deadlock against Swindon on Saturday.

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Oldham 0, Swindon 0

ATHLETIC’S frustrating goalless draw against Swindon Town again highlighted an inability to kill off the so called lesser lights at Boundary Park.

Add Swindon to Brighton, Leyton Orient and Carlisle who, since December, have all held Athletic on their home patch.

It is a recurring problem and one which manager John Sheridan needs to address if they are to maintain their bid for the Coca-Cola League One play-offs.

Athletic were workmanlike against Swindon but again lacked the creative spark that a Neil Kilkenny or Richie Wellens could bring to unlock a resolute visiting defence.

Sadly players of that calibre and quality cost a lot of money and Athletic’s owners must decide whether they are able to invest the Craig Davies transfer fee or be content to meander along, as they are doing at present, while others around them strengthen their sides.

The other alternative is that Sheridan strikes it lucky in the loan market and unearths a gem as Brian Talbot did when he captured Kilkenny from Birmingham City first-time round.

Athletic have two proven goalscorers in Lee Hughes and Dean Windass in their side but sometimes they are unable to provide them with the service they need.

The front players must also share the responsibility for the failure to pick up maximum points on Saturday as Sheridan’s side created more than enough chances to have won the game.

After the electrifying atmosphere of the previous week’s derby against Stockport County, Boundary Park was like a morgue and that was mirrored by events on the pitch as Athletic’s performance in the opening half was lifeless.

It was understandable that Sheridan was angry with a small element in the crowd who jeered his team, especially at the end of the first half.

When games are not going to plan, players need encouragement. Tony Pulis, manager of Stoke City, describes the crowd at the Britannia Stadium as their 12th man.

But the players must also give the fans something to cheer.

Sheridan resisted the temptation to make changes, naming the same starting line up for a third successive match.

But it was clear from the kick off it was not going to be a classic. Swindon were well organised defensively while Athletic lacked the invention to break through their back line.

Giant

There was only one decent chance apiece in the opening period. Mark Allott’s well-struck volley brought the best out of giant Hungarian ’keeper Peter Brezovan, while Billy Painter’s curled effort was superbly turned round the post for a corner by Greg Fleming.

Athletic were far more positive and purposeful after the restart and they should have made a breakthrough.

Hughes set up Windass, who contrived to fire wide from just inside the penalty box, Danny Whitaker had an effort deflected off Jerel Ifil for a corner while Hughes had a fierce shot beaten out by Brezovan.

Yet Swindon came within a whisker of snatching a 73rd-minute lead through substitute Hamdi Razak on his debut.

Razak, who had signed earlier in the week having been playing in the seventh tier of French football, was denied by a brilliant reflex save from Fleming, who turned over his goalbound effort.

One had the feeling it was not going to be Athletic’s day when, with 12 minutes left, Hughes had a free header from eight yards but saw it flash wide. You would put your life savings on him burying that chance.

Athletic still had further attempts at goal as Hughes and substitute Lewis Alessandra were both denied by super saves from man-of-the-match Brezovan late on in the game.


Sheridan rounds on ‘disgraceful’ fans

JOHN SHERIDAN branded a minority of Athletic fans a “disgrace” following his side’s goalless draw at home to Swindon Town.

The Athletic manager was upset by the lack of support and demanded the crowd back rather than turn on his players.

Sheridan said: “I was very disappointed with the booing, especially after the way my players tried to win the game.

“Fair enough we haven’t won, but why people boo after players put in the effort they did, I will never know.

“I know it is only a small section of them, but they were a disgrace. They must have been watching a different game to me. We got at them and should have won.

“I understand people get frustrated — I want to win every game — but I thought the booing was out of order.

“I am not daft or naive. I know where everybody is coming from as we should be beating teams like Swindon at home if we want to get into the play-offs. These are the games we need to win.

“If they want to have a go, do it at me but get behind the players as anybody who knows football could see they were trying to win. Give them credit rather than have a go.

“We are still sixth in the table and haven’t been outside the top seven all season with the fourth lowest budget in the division. The players deserve credit for that.

“I would like somebody to say we are doing all right as a team as nobody ever tells me that.”

Sheridan thought his side played well, especially in the second half, and deserved to have picked up three points.

He said: “Their ’keeper (Peter Brezovan) made some great saves and we missed good chances.

“Dean Windass knows he should have scored, likewise Lewis Alessandra, Danny Whitaker and Lee Hughes. We had good opportunities.”

Sheridan continued: “You need breaks and, if we had got one, we would probably have scored two or three goals.

“And if we play like we did in the second half against Bristol Rovers tomorrow, we will have a great chance of winning the game.”

Midfield man Danny Whitaker believes had Athletic scored early on it would have been a different game.

He said: “Swindon had watched us and knew we are a big threat going forward so the majority of the time they sat in and soaked up the pressure, which meant we were playing in front of them.

“We needed an early goal, as we got against Stockport, because opponents then have to come at us and therefore we are able to play round them.”

Swindon manager Danny Wilson thought it was a good game for a goalless draw, between teams with contrasting styles.

He said: “Oldham set out their stall in the second half to come at us. We came to win the game and not to sit back and defend.

“I know it is frustrating for the home side, but I’m not too worried about it as, defensively, I thought we did very well.”

Wilson added that Athletic needed a slice of good fortune to win a tight game, but he thought his side deserved a point for the way they battled.