Looking up

FRESH CHAPTER: new-boy James Wesolowski accepts he can’t have a shot at playing football at a higher level.

JAMES Wesolowski has accepted his lot at Athletic and now hopes to push the team on to success.

The combative midfielder gave a glimpse of his talents during the midweek penalty shoot-out defeat to Carlisle in the Carling Cup, bombing around the field in the first half to good effect before tiring later on.

His manager Paul Dickov clearly thinks the 23-year-old has the desire and talent to have a significant impact on the team’s fortunes — just as he did at Peterborough in his one and only season at London Road, helping the team gain promotion to the npower Championship.

Former Leicester player Wesolowski is philosophical about the fact he can’t have another shot at football at a higher level.

“I played in 40 games and the play-off final and it was one of my favourite seasons in my career,” he said.

“I didn’t have too many injuries and to gain promotion at the end was pleasing.

“I am at that age when I realise that these things happen in football. I know that it is a ruthless game, but that is what the Peterborough manager thought best for his team and I can accept that.

“I am here now looking for another successful season and to help Oldham push up the league.”

Of the Carlisle game, the Australian-born midfielder feels that on the evidence he saw Athletic have plenty of potential within their ranks.

“There were parts of the game where we were impressive,” he added. “First half, we were the better team and while there are bits to work on we have got the rest of the season to improve on those things and get it right.

“It is a case of spotting what we need to improve and work on in training.

“If we get that right, we have got the players to challenge other teams week-in, week-out.”

On his last visit to Yeovil, Wesolowski started the game as Peterborough needed two goals in the last five minutes to see off a stubborn home outfit.

Dickov, who is aiming for nothing less than three points as he aims to kick-start the season, is still on the look-out for an extra forward option.

“We are having talks at the minute, lengthy talks that have gone on longer than I would have liked,” said the Athletic boss.

“Whether it is for Saturday or not I don’t know and I keep shooting myself in the foot by saying ‘hopefully the next game’.”

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Cisak; Lee, Diamond, Mvoto, Black; Morais, Wesolowski, Furman, Taylor; Smith, Reid. Subs (from): Gerrard, Brooke, Parker, Millar, Carr, Winchester, Mellor, Lund.

Yeovil (probable, 3-4-1-2): Steer; Huntington, Ngala, Ehmer; Ayling, Wooton (c), Upson, Edgar; G Williams; Obika, A Williams.