Penney’s new boys receive Gregan vote

SEAN GREGAN, one of Athletic's longest-serving players, admits he felt like a stranger when he reported back for pre-season training.

The 35-year-old central defender was confronted by a new-look squad which had been assembled by new manager Dave Penney.

Gregan has retained the Athletic captaincy after initially being released by Penney, who then made a U-turn and invited the player back to Boundary Park.

Said Gregan: "It was strange because there was only a handful of us left from last season's first-team squad after a massive clear-out in the summer when almost a whole team left.

"Of last season’s squad, there was only me, Reuben Hazell and Chris Taylor on the pitch against Stockport on the opening day of the season.

"I have been in football a long time and I don't think I can ever remember eight debutants on the same day.

"It is strange because you have to get to know the characters and personalities, though the main group of players have now been together since day one of pre-season which is almost two months ago."

Gregan believes the new players have settled well and quickly taken on board the way Penney wants them to play.

He said: "With a bit more luck, we could be sat here with four wins out of four.

"We should have beaten Stockport and had plenty of chances against Millwall and Swindon.

"While the results have not been what we wanted, the performances have been encouraging."

Gregan admitted pre-season was tough, but he is pleased with his own level of fitness.

"I am the oldest player at the club by some distance, but I have managed to complete every session which takes some doing at my age," he said.

Gregan is happy to be back at Boundary Park after signing a deal for the 2009/10 season.

"I made it clear towards the end of last season that I didn't want to leave, but the decision was made for financial reasons and obviously I am delighted to be back," he said.

Gregan sees no reason why Athletic should not enjoy a successful campaign, but stresses there needs to be a sense of realism.

"We don't have the biggest squad and, if we get a couple of injuries in key areas, it will probably take its toll on us," he said.

Gregan pointed out that Penney had reduced the average age of the squad with his signings.

He said: "Look at Dean Furman, who has been at bigger clubs. He will want to prove a point and he has started the season well for us.

"Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker are in their mid-twenties, but very experienced, while Alex Marrow, the lad we have brought in from Blackburn, is a good player and a good athlete.

"At my age I just want to play as long as I can and in as many games as possible."We have signed some exciting players and, with the gaffer working hard, I am sure we will be all right."

Gregan believes Athletic have yet to play one of the main contenders for promotion.

"The tests will come against the likes of Charlton, Leeds and teams like them, but we have tended to do well against the better clubs in recent years.”

Gregan is surprised at the demise of some of the bigger clubs.

He said: "From the Premier League season I played in, there must be six or seven of those teams now in League One, including the likes of Southampton, Charlton, Norwich and Leeds.

"Some of them are in it because of their finances, but when you look at Leeds getting a crowd of 27,000 on the opening day, clubs like Oldham are always going to be in an uphill battle.

"But it is great for our young players to have the chance to appear in such stadiums because they ought to be aspiring to play as high as they can.

"That is not being disrespectful to Oldham, but the players should be looking to play for a big club in a big stadium in front of a big crowd every week.

"As for myself, there is no hiding the fact I would prefer to play at Elland Road or Charlton as opposed to Cheltenham or Accrington Stanley. That is human nature."