Inside track

’Keeper Cisak out to deny former boss Coleman
ALEX Cisak stands between his ex-boss and a vital victory tomorrow.

Athletic’s promising young goalkeeper (22) learned plenty during a formative season under John Coleman at Accrington Stanley in npower League Two last season.

At Spotland, he will bid to prevent his former manager at the Crown Ground from gaining an important win for relegation-threatened Rochdale.

“It is a huge game for both teams,” said the Tasmanian, who has missed only one game this season, through suspension.

“Rochdale definitely need to get a win and we need to get back on track as well.

“There should be a great atmosphere and I played under John Coleman and with (ex-Accrington defender) Kevin Long last season so it is a big one for me personally, too.

“I haven’t seen Rochdale play this year, but I am sure he will be getting them to play good football as he did at Accrington."

Cisak has so far garnered nine clean sheets in a career at Boundary Park which began following a protracted £50,000 summer move from Stanley — one Coleman was dead-set against at the time.

It would have been 10 had Athletic not “switched off”, as Cisak puts it, in added time at Stevenage on Tuesday.

That one perhaps can be put partly down to experience, or lack of it, among Athletic’s injury-hit squad in closing out tight contests.

Matt Smith, substitute that night, won’t be involved again for Athletic following his loan move to Macclesfield.

As one of the greenest members of the playing staff, Cisak hopes Smith can follow in his own footsteps and benefit from a stint in the lower depths of League Two.

“Hopefully, Matt will play in all of the remaining games there,” said the former Leicester City trainee. “He needs that.

“He is still young and this is his first year in professional football, so hopefully he can get some goals.”