Penney determined to hit the target
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 12 February 2010
MANAGER Dave Penney has a simple message for his side as they prepare for a game of huge significance against Walsall tomorrow: Hit that target.
A host of first-half chances were spurned in the 4-2 midweek defeat at Swindon, as wayward shooting cost Athletic the chance to establish a lead at the County Ground.
Back at Boundary Park, the scene of only 11 home goals in Coca-Cola League One – the lowest such tally in the division along with Brighton – Penney is determined his team puts it right as they bid to take three vital points ahead of a fiendishly difficult run of upcoming games.
“Shots were flying over and wide at Swindon,” said Penney, whose team are only out of the relegation places on goal difference with consecutive matches against Colchester (away), Leeds (away) and Norwich (home) to come in the space of eight days starting a week tomorrow.
“We have to at least hit the target and make the goalkeeper work because if you don’t, you have no chance of scoring.
“We haven’t scored enough goals and that is why we were a little bit anxious in front of goal. We put a bit of respectability to it by getting those two late goals, which was nice for Joe Colbeck and Jason Price as it was both their first goals for us. “
Reuben Hazell and captain Sean Gregan have slight injuries as a result of the Swindon game. Hazell suffered a bang on the cheek while Gregan has a sore foot, but both men are expected to be fit.
Penney, who continues to run the rule over triallist winger Simon Whaley, does not expect to bring in a further loan signing until at least next week.
“We have got four loans in now and we have to assess what area we want to strengthen,” added the Athletic boss.
“We have one loan slot left so we will probably get Saturday’s game out of the way and see where we are ready for the next three big games we have coming up.”
Athletic (from): Brill, Goodwin, Hazell, Gregan, Jacobson, Smalley, Furman, Stephens, Whitaker, Abbott, Price, Flahavan, Aljofree, Marrow, Taylor, Parker, Colbeck, Brooke.
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings believes his mid-table side won’t have things all their own way at Boundary Park tomorrow.
“They’ve got Price and (Pawel) Abbott up front who are goalscorers, so we have to be on our mettle,” he said. “There’re no easy games. We have to take the game to them and give them a few problems.
“It’s a tough game, it’s always been tough to go there. It’s not the biggest of dressing rooms, it’s a three-sided ground and we know it’s going to be difficult but it’s one we’re not fearful of.”
