Bring them all on

JOE JACOBSON . . . back in the frame.

Jacobson battle cry for Latics

JOE Jacobson says Athletic believe they can beat any opposition put in front of them at the moment.

An unbeaten start in the first five games in npower League One has energised fans, staff and players alike.

Sitting third in the table, Athletic travel to fourth-placed Peterborough on Saturday.

And Jacobson, who made only his second first-team appearance in over five months when coming on as a substitute against Bristol Rovers, says that under player-manager Paul Dickov the team has bundles of confidence.

"There is a real buzz around the place at the moment and everyone is enjoying it and feeling good about themselves," said the transfer-listed Welsh defender.

"Mentally, we are going into every game feeling like we are going to win — which is how the new management want us to think. They have stressed that we need to believe in ourselves.”

A chronic pelvic and groin problem ruined the 23-year-old's first season at Boundary Park.

"I was told two weeks into pre-season that I was going on the transfer list," Jacobson added.

"It was very disappointing, but the manager said that the door wasn't closed and that we all had a chance to stay if we worked hard.

"It was particularly tough as I was injured at the time I was told. But I thought that I needed to show people what I can do.

"I have worked hard since and thankfully, got my chance on Saturday."

Jacobson is among the line-up as Athletic's reserves take on Wrexham tonight (7pm kick-off), in a game being played at the home of Airbus UK Broughton FC near Chester.

Athletic have a new triallist on show in Paris Cowan-Hall, a 19-year-old winger released in the summer by Portsmouth. Also in the line-up for Lee Duxbury's side are fellow triallist Julian Cherel and club captain Sean Gregan.