Danny has licence to roam

HOLE HEARTED . . . Athletic midfielder Danny Whitaker.

LATICS ROUND UP: DANNY Whitaker is on fire in the 'hole'.

The Athletic midfielder was handed a free role to roam with intent in between the opposition defence and midfield in the defeat at Huddersfield on Tuesday night.

Recalled to the side to start in a central role for the first time since the 2-2 home draw against Wycombe five games ago, the former Macclesfield and Port Vale man responded with an excellent first-half display in which he helped to set up numerous scoring chances before going close himself with a curling right-footed effort which landed on the roof of the net.

Whitaker was less effective when moved out to a wide position in the second half in a straight 4-4-2 set-up, but he believes the original five-man midfield can pay dividends for Athletic between now and the end of the season.

"It is perfect for me as it means I can get in between the defenders and the midfielders and it makes you hard to pick up," said the 29-year-old.

"It means you can pick the ball up, get a half-turn in and you are then attacking the back four.

"It suits me down to the ground and a lot of the other players as well.

“It works for Dean Furman and with Dale Stephens being more of a 'sitter' that helps me.

"I think we create more chances when we play like that.

"We played very well against a Huddersfield team who are no mugs. They are up there for a reason.

"We went there with a game plan and it worked. We were unlucky in the end."

As for playing for manager Dave Penney, Whitaker believes there in no question over the players' commitment.

He hopes that the team can battle through what can be a frustrating home experience to defeat Bristol Rovers on Saturday for a second successive Boundary Park triumph.

"We are all behind him (Dave Penney) and as players you have got to be," Whitaker added.

"We find ourselves in a difficult position in the league and we just have to go out there and perform.

"The gaffer changed the formation against Huddersfield and it has worked for us, so we will see how it goes at the weekend.

"Some teams in a similar position to us can come and frustrate us and that in turn can frustrate the crowd.

"It can be hard, but you just have to deal with that as players. You know what to expect and just have to try to play your football.

"Bristol Rovers are a tough team and will come to frustrate us, no doubt, but we just have to play through that."