Centre stage

Photo: Anthony Miller

LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH . . . Athletic caretaker manager Tony Philliskirk keeps a close eye on the FA Cup.

JOSE Baxter has trained ferociously for the biggest game of his fledgling career.

With the visit of the Goodison Park club in the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow (6pm kick-off), in a game broadcast live by ITV, now is the perfect time for 11-goal Baxter to show the world his potential.

“Jose is a really grounded lad,” said Philliskirk, who enters his second game in temporary charge with Paul Gerrard again by his side in the dug-out.

“If there is any pressure on Jose, it will only be that which he puts on himself. There is none from us. When I have been involved with the first team over the last few weeks, I have told him to go out and express himself, to show people what a good player he is.

“He has trained like a Trojan this week and is potentially a very good player, but one who needs a little push every now and again.”

Part of Philliskirk’s work this week has entailed coming up with a plan to nullify the threat of Everton’s Marouane Fellaini.

And even then, Philliskirk admits, Athletic needs a lot of luck to make it two Merseyside cup scalps in succession.

“I am hoping we chop Fellaini's legs off in the tunnel, put 13 men on the pitch or put Tarky on stilts,” Philliskirk joked.

“But we are under no illusions that from goal kicks and free-kicks they will aim for him. But with the romance of the FA Cup, you never know.”

Should Athletic win tomorrow, they will be in the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time since 1994.

The draw for the quarter-finals takes place at 5.55pm on Sunday and will be shown live on ITV.


YOUR Chronicle is up for the Cup and is producing a DIGITAL FIRST Saturday Sport Edition — which will be available within hours of the match.
To give Latics fans worldwide the chance to see the 12-page special we are offering a discount price of just 99p for a whole week’s online Chronicle — which includes tomorrow night’s special.

Click on the eChron tab now and sign up — the normal price would be £2.99!

You will be able to download the big match special any time after midnight tomorrow night — but check regularly, it will be posted as soon as it is finished.

Comprehensive coverage will follow in Monday’s edition as usual.


In tonight’s print and e Chron editions, a super-sized four-page special on the build-up to the game. Don’t miss it!