‘Angry’ Royle issues rallying call

Tommy Wright and Joe Royle.

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JOE ROYLE has described himself as “angry” at Athletic’s failure to haul themselves back into contention for a Coca-Cola League One play-off place.

But the Athletic manager still refuses to write off his team’s promotion hopes until it is mathematically impossible for them to go up.

Athletic are eight points off the pace with six league games to go, though the teams in fourth, fifth and sixth places have all also played one less game.

“We are being written off, which is too early,” said Royle.

“While there is still a chance, however small of us getting into the top six, we will certainly not give up.”

But Royle admits his team desperately needs to beat Peterborough at Boundary Park on Saturday to spark their campaign back into life.

The Athletic manager believes with a modicum of luck his team could be five points better off and back in the hunt for a top-six place.

He said: “When I look back at the last two games, I am angry that we did not win at both Cheltenham and Leyton Orient.

“We had enough chances on the last half hour at Cheltenham and then were ahead and in no trouble at Leyton Orient, where a couple of refereeing decisions changed the course of the game.

“Had we won those two games — and that is discounting my first game against Tranmere when I thought we were also a little unlucky — we would have been back in the thick of it at the top.”

With Peterborough challenging for automatic promotion as well as being one of the most attractive teams to watch in League One, Athletic are hoping for a decent turn out from fans.

Posh won all six league games in March, a feat which is expected to see Darren Ferguson being named as the division’s manager of the month today.

SEAN GREGAN is a major injury doubt for Athletic’s game against Peterborough United on Saturday.

The Athletic captain and central defender jarred his ankle after falling heavily in training.

Gregan, who was ruled out of training today, is undergoing treatment in a bid to recover in time.