Spirit will see us through

LATICS ROUND-UP: ATHLETIC must put their team spirit to good use in a run of matches vital to the club's future — starting with Exeter.

Assistant manager Martin Gray says that the squad and coaching staff are pulling in the same direction despite the club's lowly league position.

This is now the most crucial month of the season in the battle to preserve League One status, with all six matches against sides in the lower half of the table.

And Gray accepts that an upturn in fortunes, points-wise, simply HAS to begin this Saturday.

"The players are really upbeat and they have a fantastic togetherness," Gray said.

"It is about that now, everyone pulling together within the club.

"We have got a really strong team spirit and that in itself does a hell of a lot.

"Morale is very high and the manager works hard on keeping the team together, along with the rest of the staff.

"We just have to keep working hard, creating things and it will change.

"It has to start this weekend and it can't be the weekend after."

After a run of two wins in three matches, Athletic have lost their last three against Colchester, Leeds and Norwich.

Gray also believes that the difference between the teams at the top of League One and those at the bottom can be condensed in one factor: having someone capable of finding the net on a regular basis.

"Two of those three performances were of a really good standard," he added, referring to the Leeds game as the sole disappointment.

"And unfortunately it is down to goals and that is what wins games. The big difference is the top teams have goal scorers.

"Leeds have Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio and Norwich have Grant Holt, who has scored 25 goals this season.

"That is the difference — take those goals out of the team and they are back down there.

"Take Lee Hughes's goals out of Notts County and they are in the bottom half of League Two.

"That is the way it works and we know that."

Athletic's fixtures in March –

Exeter City (away). League position: 22nd. Recent form (most recent last): LDDLLL. Relegation odds: 5-4 on.

Leyton Orient (home). League position: 15th. Recent form: WDDLDD. Relegation odds: 4-1

Wycombe Wanderers (home). League position: 23rd. Recent form: WLDWDL. Relegation odds: 100-30 on.

Stockport County (away). League position: 24th. Recent form: LDWLWL. Relegation odds: 100-1 on.

Brighton and Hove Albion (home). League position: 16th. Recent form: DDLDWW. Relegation odds: 3-1.

Brentford (home). League position: 14th. Recent form: WLDWDL. Relegation odds: 4-1

Athletic are 11-4 to be relegated (all odds from Betfair).