Extra stint for Latics players

SCOTT GOLBOURNE: Hurt a foot in last night’s Latics defeat.

ATHLETIC’S players were ordered in for extra training this morning as their day off was cancelled in the wake of last night’s home defeat by Bristol Rovers in Coca-Cola League One.

Manager John Sheridan and his staff were putting in extra practice to try to halt the recent worrying slide - they have won only once in their last six league matches - in time for Saturday’s trip to play-off rivals Millwall which suddenly assumes even more importance.

Sheridan accused his side of throwing away a great opportunity to strengthen their hold on a top-six spot.

He explained: “The players and myself, as manager, need to look at ourselves as the performance was not good enough.

“It was a great opportunity to gain points on one or two other teams, but it was not to be. It is something we will have to sort out as we have some very hard games coming up.”

Reflecting on the game, Sheridan reckoned that his team was on top in the first half, were comfortable and never in any danger and ought to have been 2-0 ahead.

He continued: “We have again shot ourselves in the foot after what was a very disappointing second half in which we never caused them a problem.

“You have to take your chances. We could have made life a lot easier for ourselves, but didn’t and paid the price.

“I cannot put my finger on what went wrong. We went into the game in fourth in the league and confidence should have been sky high playing Bristol at home to possibly go third in the table.

“We have to show more confidence and belief in ourselves because we have good players.

“But I was not pleased with the first-half display at Yeovil and second half against Bristol and that is something I have to address as we need to start winning games if we want to stay in the play-off places. It is as simple as that.”

Athletic’s on-loan left-back Scott Golbourne limped off last night after an hour with a foot injury.

Sherdan said it is too early to discuss his prospects of recovering in time for Saturday’s trip to the New Den.

Athletic reserves were playing a friendly at Crewe today (1pm) with several senior players expected to be involved.


LAST night’s match attracted the attention of scouts from four Premier League clubs and nine from the Coca-Cola Championship.