I won’t criticise Jose, says Philliskirk

JOSE Baxter chips his penalty straight down the middle of the goal.

CARETAKER manager Tony Philliskirk admitted he was praying Jose Baxter wouldn’t chip his penalty down the centre of goal on Saturday.

“I was hoping he wouldn’t,” said Philliskirk. “I was talking to Bournemouth's coaching staff and they were expecting it. They told goalkeeper Ryan Allsop to dive 'narrow’. But I’m not going to tell a player how to take penalties.”

Captain James Wesolowski, who said the team all felt the first-half performance against the Cherries was way below-par, believes Athletic have it within their power to get out of trouble.

“We have the spirit within the squad to pull together and get out of it,” he said. “We need to go out and prove our worth.”