No hiding place for Latics

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT: Athletic caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk says he can’t envisage relegation to npower League Two.

ATHLETIC have plotted that they need at least FIVE home wins between now and the end of the season to save their relegation-threatened skin.

The magic 50-point barrier can only be broken, says caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk, with a dramatic upturn in fortunes at Boundary Park — starting with tomorrow’s visit of MK Dons.

Athletic have won only three home league games all season.

The fact that it is an awful record, Philliskirk says, has not been kept away from the squad.

“With nine of the remaining games at home, you have to be realistic and say you are not going to win all of those,” said Philliskirk.

“You have to pick up points away as well. But of the 16 games left, you are looking at five wins from those, a couple away from home and a few draws. Then you are safe.

“It is no good hiding from it. For me, and I am sure whoever comes in will be saying the same to the players — this is no time for pussyfooting about.

“I can’t envisage what relegation will mean for the club and that is the message we are getting across to the players.”

The club is giving nothing away about the appointment of a new manager.