Latics can turn back the clock

SURVIVAL CELEBRATION . . . Athletic’s players after their great escape in 1993.

LEE Johnson has invoked the spirit of 1993 as he bids to guide Athletic away from relegation.

After a supporter tweeted the manager a link to a video which detailed the miraculous escape from relegation from the Premier League, Johnson was inspired by the run which saw Joe Royle’s men dodge the drop.

A 3-2 home win over Liverpool kept the clubs’ s season alive and, on the last day of the season, Athletic had to beat Southampton and hope Crystal Palace lost at Arsenal – both of which happened.

"It just goes to show what can happen. Everyone was writing off Oldham and they came through it,” said Johnson, who takes his team to Bury tomorrow for a vital clash.

"Hopefully, we will come through it, but we don't want to be relaxing thinking we have cracked it when there is no way we have.

"They gave it a go and that's what we are doing. And I believe we can do it."

Johnson, who says he is still relishing the job, believes he knows exactly what is needed to turn the club around next term once Athletic is safe.

“I'm loving the daily hustle and bustle. Everyone wants a piece of you and you have to think all the time,” he added.

"You are permanently juggling press, players, agents, chairman and board, injuries and trying to pick your team. But it's brilliant.”

Athletic might be able to call on Cliff Byrne tomorrow: his groin injury isn’t as bas as was first believed.

But 15-goal top scorer Jose Baxter is missing through a two-game ban.

”We have done a lot of finishing,” the manager added. “I believe that is important and the boys have looked good at it. But it is one thing doing it in training. It is about doing it on the big stage."