Don’t stop believing

WIN TARGET: Kieran Lee is aiming for a three-point boost against Colchester tomorrow.

Lee reckons Latics will turn the corner

KIERAN Lee says there is a bullish atmosphere in the Athletic dressing room despite going 10 games without a win.

Ashley Barnes’ controversial goal secured a 1-0 win for Brighton at Boundary Park, when his team-mate Glenn Murray looked to have retreated from an offside position.

But a much more vibrant performance from Paul Dickov’s side, which earned strong approval from the home contingent, backed up Lee’s claims that a revival is just around the corner — starting at Colchester tomorrow.

The roaming right-back said: "The confidence is still there, that applies to all the players in the dressing room.

“We go to Colchester believing we can win the match, and hopefully we can score a few goals in the process.

“We played really well against Brighton and even a draw would have been harsh, we deserved to win the game.

“If we had finished a few of our chances it would have been a different story.

“I thought I had scored right near the end, but I missed by a tiny margin and that is just the way it is going for us at the moment.

“All we can do is keep working hard and it will turn around. Hopefully we can get the right result at Colchester and kick-start our season.”

Lee was full of praise for wing wizard Filipe Morais, who gave full-back Marcos Painter a torrid time in the first half before fading after the interval.

“I really enjoy playing with Filipe,” added Lee.

“He wants the ball constantly, which is a good thing, and he will always cause defenders problems down the wing.

“I played quite advanced against Brighton, which is what I have started to do in the last few weeks, and I think it suits me.

“We will keep plugging away. Every game between now and the end of the season is like a cup game.”

Brighton boss Gus Poyet admitted that Athletic are the most difficult opposition his side have faced this term.

He said: “There has not been a team all season that have caused us as many complications as Oldham.

“They do things that create difficulties. All credit to them.

“We have only just managed to beat them in both matches this season.”