Give me a chance!

WARREN FEENEY . . . labelled his first season with Athletic a “big disappointment”.

Striker vows to return ‘all guns blazing’
WARREN Feeney has branded his first season with Athletic a “big disappointment” and says he wants a chance to win over his doubters.

But the Northern Ireland international admits his future at Boundary Park remains in the balance.

Feeney (30), who put in two 73-minute appearances for his country in the Carling Nations Cup last week, failed to score in npower League One last term, with his solitary strike coming in the FA Cup loss at Accrington Stanley.

The arrival from Solihull Moors of non-league hotshot Matt Smith, who scored 23 goals in the previous Blue Square Bet Premier campaign, brings extra competition for places up front.

“I am the first to admit I was a big disappointment last season,” said Feeney.

“I picked up a lot of injuries and when I came back, it was taking me time to find some sharpness.

“I want to come back all guns blazing in pre-season to try to establish myself at the club.

“But I am sure there will be comings and goings over the next couple of months and it depends what the manager’s plans are.”

The striker’s club and international team-mate Carl Winchester (18) earned his first cap in Friday night’s 2-0 defeat to Wales.

Boss Nigel Worthington gave first-year scholar Winchester a 14-minute cameo at full-back.

And Feeney said the teenager took it all in his stride.

“Carl is a pretty laid back character, so I didn’t need to calm him down,” he added.

“The experience of playing against top players like Rob Earnshaw, Aaron Ramsey and Danny Gabbidon can only be beneficial for him and Athletic.”

Meanwhile, forward Deane Smalley has joined League Two outfit Oxford United after turning down the offer of a contract extension at Athletic.

The 22-year-old departed for an undisclosed fee — Athletic were entitled to compensation for his education and training because Smalley is under 24.

His switch to the Kassam Stadium follows a successful loan spell at Chesterfield, where he

netted 12 times in 39 appearances.

But one man staying at Boundary Park for the foreseeable future is James Tarkowski (18), who has signed a two-year deal.

Chief executive Alan Hardy said the centre-half deserved recognition for breaking into Paul Dickov’s first team in the second half of the campaign.

Hardy added: “James’ deal is another example of the talented young squad we are trying to build.”