Hughes ready to ride the storm

SAME AGAIN, PLEASE: Lee Hughes (left) fires Athletic ahead at Millwall last season.

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LEE HUGHES is anticipating another red-hot welcome when Athletic visit play-off rivals Millwall in Coca-Cola League One tomorrow.

The 32-year-old striker silenced the hate brigade by scoring a match-winning hat-trick at the New Den last season.

Hughes often receives abuse from rival fans because of his criminal past, but it is something he has come to accept.

He is a firm believer in actions speaking louder than words, and said: “The hat-trick at Millwall was special because of the stick I got on the day.

“I know I will get abuse. It happens regularly away from home and I use it as motivation.

“The only way I can respond to it is by scoring goals. That is what happened at Millwall, where it was particularly hostile.

“One man came after me on the pitch and I was also struck by coins.

“But I just got on with my job and banged in a hat-trick. That shut them up a bit.”

Hughes looks back on the third goal, which turned out to be the match-winner, with great pride. He chested the ball down before volleying it home through a crowd of players.

It was the first of two trebles for Hughes in Athletic colours. The other was against Cheltenham this season.

He said: “As a striker you love scoring goals, but scoring a hat-trick is special.”

Hughes also spoke of the importance of tomorrow’s game in the wake of the midweek home defeat by Bristol Rovers.

Athletic have stumbled of late, winning only one of their last six league matches, but Hughes says they are capable of repeating last season’s result.

He explained: “It is a massive match and we will be going there to get three points.

“If we play like we did against Leicester City recently, then there is no reason why we can’t win.

“It is both frustrating and disappointing when we know we can more than match the top teams, but put in poor performances as we have done in the last couple of games.

“The picture will completely if we can beat Millwall and then Leeds United on Monday.

“At the moment, apart from Leicester, teams are beating each other and if we can pick up three points against Millwall, it will lift us for the final run in.”

Midfield man Danny Whitaker has also given an insight what it is like to play at Millwall.

He said: “It is an ugly place to go to and the fans are hostile towards you. If you take corners you are liable to be pelted by objects, but it spurs you on.

“It is important to make a good start and, if you can get on top and get an early goal, then that usually quietens the crowd.”

Millwall, like Athletic, have also endured some tough times of late, but they will have been lifted by their 3-1 defeat of Cheltenham in midweek.

That result ended a run of five league games without a win for Kenny Jackett’s side.

The Lions were challenging for automatic promotion before Christmas, but the best they can now hope is a play-off place.

Athletic will be boosted by Millwall’s recent failings at home. Tomorrow’s opponents have picked up only one point from their last three matches at the New Den.

They lost to Scunthorpe United and Brighton and were held by Swindon Town.

Athletic beat Millwall 4-3 on the opening day of the season at Boundary Park after an incident-filled match.

John Sheridan’s side conceded a goal after 13 seconds and found themselves 3-2 down with 10 minutes to go only to snatch victory in a dramatic finish.




League One fixtures are —

Tomorrow : Brighton v Crewe, Carlisle v Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham v Northampton, Colchester v Hartlepool, Hereford v Leyton Orient, Leeds v Scunthorpe, Millwall v ATHLETIC, MK Dons v Leicester, Peterborough v Southend, Stockport v Huddersfield, Tranmere v Swindon, Walsall v Yeovil.