Latics need reserves of strength

PAUL BLACK . . . compromised by Athletic’s lack of a reserve team.

JOE ROYLE admits it was a mistake for Athletic not to have a reserve team in the current campaign.

Athletic's manager says it is a situation which needs to be addressed for next season, irrespective of whether he is manager or not.

Club officials had already reapplied to join the totesport.com League before Royle's arrival for the final nine games of the season.

Royle explained that the absence of a reserve team has made his job far more difficult as injured players have had nowhere to regain match sharpness after lay-offs.

He said: "Take Paul Black as an example. He was badly injured during a loan spell at Barrow and he has been hampered by a lack of games since recovering as we do not have a reserve team.

"I have been caught between the devil and the deep blue sea in wanting to give young players a chance, but knowing that if they are not match fit they might not do themselves justice.

"It is impossible for players not in the team to keep match fit when they have nowhere to play."

Athletic reserves have played in several cup competitions and also arranged a number of friendlies, though that has proved nigh impossible in the latter part of the season.

Royle admitted that it might not be easy for a club of Athletic's size to field both youth and reserve teams.

He said: "When you look at the injuries we have had, there have not been too many times since I have been here when we could have mustered a reserve side.

"I don't think it is possible to run youth and reserve sides at a club with a playing staff of this size.

"That is something which needs to be addressed with the chairman - and I intend to do that at length.

"As far as I am concerned we need a reserve team, but we must also have a youth policy as it remains vital that clubs like Latics continue to produce players."