Crunch time for Latics

LATICS LIFE: BEWARE the ides of March.

Athletic are heading into a busy month of six matches hoping not to have hopes of staying up crushed by rivals also trying to avoid the drop.

Any defeats will prove costly — not only as they will mean Athletic fail to pick up points themselves, but also because of the boost such results will give to teams around them.

Three of the six fixtures next month are against the clubs — Exeter, Wycombe and Stockport — currently sitting below Dave Penney's side in the League One table.

Brighton are within touching distance, two points clear of Athletic but having played a pair of matches more in 18th.

And Leyton Orient, up in 15th place, are not out of the relegation picture completely, with the remaining match a rearranged clash with 12th-placed Brentford. It promises to be a tense month but with four of those six matches being home games, manager Dave Penney will be banking on his side finding their feet at Boundary Park to climb out of danger.

Athletic's fixtures in March

Exeter (away) Saturday, March 7.

Leyton Orient (home) Tuesday, March 9.

Wycombe (home) Saturday, March 13.

Stockport (away) Tuesday, March 16.

Brighton (home) Saturday, March 20.

Brentford (home) Tuesday, March 30.