Mind games

SIMON CORNEY . . on paper, Athletic should be in the top four

EVEN the most famous manager in world football couldn’t save Athletic on his own this season, Simon Corney has warned.

Jose Mourinho may have recently masterminded a Champions League win over runaway Premier League leaders Manchester United to make it into the quarter-finals.

But even if the Special One decided to spring the shock of all time by coming to Latics, he would have his work cut out.

Athletic’s chairman says if the players don’t throw everything into the final 11 games, it wouldn’t matter who was in charge; the only way is down.

“If the players want it enough, we will be fine,” said Corney. “If not there is nothing Tony Philliskirk, Jose Mourinho or any other manager can do about it.

“This year, our budget is up on what it was the previous two seasons. We have always gone out to get good players and my job is to get the best deal we can. This bunch is obviously good enough.”

Corney argues that for the club’s outlay, the team has under-performed dramatically outside the FA Cup.

The chairman is irked that rivals who can’t match even Athletic’s tight budget have been more consistent in the league. He says it’s high time that was corrected.

Oldham’s playing budget is higher than those of Yeovil (sixth), Walsall (eighth) and Tranmere (fifth).

“If this team can’t do it, I’ll give up,” he said. “On paper, we should be top-four rather than bottom-four.”