Keep it up — Furman

SKIPPER Dean Furman has called on Athletic to maintain the spirit that shone through in the 10-man draw at Scunthorpe.

Goals from Cliff Byrne and Jose Baxter earned a point for the visitors — for whom James Wesolowski was sent off after the equaliser.

Though it wasn’t an ideal result, the fact that Athletic came from two down 24 hours after three members of coaching staff departed the club showed mettle, Furman argues.

About the loss of backroom coaching staff Garry Taggart, Paul Butler and Lee Duxbury, Furman said: “Everyone has their personal view. But the board and chairman have come to their decision so whatever our views are, they are irrelevant.

“We have known the three of them for a long time and it is disappointing to see good people go.

“So maybe there was a bit of anger, or shock. Different players react in different ways.

“But there definitely was a fighting spirit at Scunthorpe - and we have to show that now.”

Furman admitted that even though the players accepted their performance overall this season has been inadequate, the board’s measures to arrest the slump were unexpected.

“On Monday morning we saw there were board meetings and soon word spread through the club. It was a shock,” he said.

“It is never easy to see anyone lose their job.

“But we have to get on with it. We have a second half of the season to take part in and we want to go up the table.”