Driven to distraction

Midfielder Mark Allott gets the better of Colchester captain Dean Hammond.

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Oldham 0, Colchester 1

ATHLETIC seem intent on pressing the self-destruct button in their bid to win promotion from Coca-Cola League One.

Saturday’s third home defeat of the campaign against Colchester United was the culmination of a week in which off-the-field shenanigans have sadly overshadowed events on the pitch.

If the show of petulance from Dean Windass for being dropped was not bad enough then came further bad publicity after it emerged that some players had allegedly disgraced themselves and the club during a night out at Belle Vue greyhounds.

These are distractions Athletic, who remain fifth in the table, can do without if they are to make the end-of-season play-offs.

But on the evidence of Saturday’s showing, especially the mind-numbingly bad first half, Athletic have clearly lost their focus. They look like a team lacking unity and one could even go as far as to say that they are in a state of turmoil.

Athletic, who are still riding high in the play-off places, should have taken to the field brimming with confidence and relishing an exciting finish to the season.

Yet, there was no spark or spirit and a superior side to Colchester, who had 10-goal leading scorer Mark Yeates ruled out through injury, would have had a field day in the opening period.

It was reminiscent of the horror show at Hereford and the second half against Bristol Rovers.

These aberrations are becoming all-too-frequent for a side with aspirations to play at a higher level.

Admittedly Athletic had a go after the break and were unlucky not to draw level. But their efforts do not mask the fact that something is inherently wrong to those looking in from the outside.

Athletic clearly missed the enthusiasm, energy and direct style provided by Chris Taylor.

Ruled out by injury, the winger was replaced by Andy Liddell, the one change from the team which played Leeds five days earlier.

Mid-table Colchester, a team with one of the best away records in League One, clinched victory with a second-minute goal after a defensive howler.

Unaware that Clive Platt was lurking between him, Reuben Hazell headed a long forward punt to ’keeper Greg Fleming. The 6ft 4in striker said thank you very much as he smashed the ball from just inside the penalty area.

That set the tone for an opening period which was littered with slapstick defending from Athletic.

Fortunately for the hosts, Colchester were culpable in front of goal as Simon Hackney, David Perkins and Steven Gillespie all wasted clear-cut chances.

Athletic, by contrast, failed to create one opportunity in the first 45 minutes — they were that bad.

One can only speculate what went on in the inner sanctum at half-time but, suffice to say, Athletic came out with all guns blazing.

Within one minute of the restart Steven Kabba had forced a great save from ’keeper Mark Cousins.

This was soon followed by Deane Smalley, who burst through the defence only to fire against an upright when it looked as though he could not miss.

Windass replaced Kabba just short of the hour. Few players can say they were booed on to the field, which an indication as to what fans thought of the veteran’s striker spat.

Fleming then denied Gillespie, who stormed past Sean Gregan before releasing a shot from a tight angle.

Athletic poured forward late on in an attempt to get something from the game.

Lee Hughes ran through on goal, only for Cousins to dash from his line to block on the edge of the penalty area.

Then, in stoppage time, Cousins had to be alert to turn over a cross-cum-shot from substitute Danny Whitaker, which would have crept in but for the intervention of the ’keeper.

Athletic were better in the second period, but it was a display still well below the standards expected of a side challenging for promotion.

John Sheridan’s side will have to up the ante to avoid slipping out of the top six and see their dream of promotion fade away for another season.

Pictures by TOM PICKLES


Defeat brings yet another apology from Sheridan

NOT for the first time this season, John Sheridan said sorry to the fans following his side’s awful performance in Saturday’s home defeat by Colchester.

The Athletic manager was mystified by his side’s erratic form, and even suggested the players should be asked for an explanation for the performance.

Sheridan (pictured) said: “I would like to apologise to the fans because we were a shambles in the first half. I was embarrassed and lost for words.

“I have no problem with the fans booing as I was more frustrated than them.

“I don’t know who I was watching in the first half. They weren’t professional footballers, yet they were the same players who played so well against Millwall and Leeds.

“We had a go in the second half and had three good opportunities to get back into the game. If we had got an early goal after the restart we might possibly have gone on and won the game.

“We didn’t take our chances and it is very disappointing that we keep letting ourselves down just when we think we can put pressure on teams above us.

“It is happening too many times. I am not going to accept that performance and the players will be working very, very hard this week as we have a tough game at MK Dons on Saturday.

“The only consolation is that we are still in the pack and we have to believe in ourselves.”

Sheridan was tempted to make changes, but stuck with the players who had done well in the two previous games.

He said: “Everyone has opinions about the best team.

“It is my first job in management and I am learning fast that I should go with whatever I feel is right.”

Sheridan says many of his players may have been in a comfort zone, believing they were assured of a place.

He went on: “I would like some of the players to answer the questions instead of me all the time. Let them come up with the replies, because they are professional footballers and get paid good money for it.

“I am sick of sticking up for them and I am not going to after the first-half performance.

“I would love some feedback from them, but none of them speak. Perhaps they wouldn’t have an answer.

“I would love them to fall out with each other because good teams and good dressing rooms have that. They won’t even say boo to each other.”

Colchester manager Paul Lambert was delighted with the win.

He said: “In the first half we were terrific and I could not have asked for any more from my players.

“We are up to 10th place and we can still make the play offs.”