Furman’s sights are set on Owls

LOOKING AHEAD: skipper Dean Furman has been encouraged by pre-season acticity at Boundary Park.

ONE of the main goals of Athletic's pre-season planners has been to keep the players’ bodies and minds stimulated.

The idea is to introduce variety to the mix during the long break. — which is also true of the match next Tuesday when Manchester City visit Boundary Park.

A good crowd is certainly expected, but more people are likely to watch Athletic play Sheffield Wednesday in the first competitive game of the new season in the rebranded Capital One Cup on August 13. — which will also be on Sky Sport TV.

Captain Dean Furman admits the knock-out tie against the Championship club has already attracted some mental attention.

"It is in the back of everyone's mind," said Furman of the Owls fixture.

"It is still a long way off. But one of the things is, you want to be in the starting XI when that day comes around.

"At the moment, the competition here is great and it keeps everyone on their toes."

Athletic's transfer activity, due to financial necessity, has so far been sparing, but also effective in Furman's estimation.

"Lee Croft and Jonathan Grounds, coming in from a higher level, were expected to have quality and they have shown that," he added, referring to the duo's previous employers Derby and Middlesbrough respectively.

"As for the younger lads, Dan Taylor and Connor Brown have come in and they are also looking to excel.

"They are bright and hungry and good new additions."



READ the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions



Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle