I’ve got the upper hand!

Korey Smith — newly signed on a further extension to the end of the season — and Lee Johnson celebrate the victory at Bury. Will they be doing the same at Boundary Park tonight?

Lee backs himself to win family mind games

Lee Johnson reckons he has a stranglehold on father Gary ahead of tonight’s lad-v-dad managerial showdown at Boundary Park.

Athletic boss Lee has played in most of his Yeovil manager father’s games in the English professional divisions, including nine years with him at Huish Park then Bristol City.

Tonight’s game will be watched intently from the Boundary Park directors’ box by Caron, Lee’s mother and Gary’s wife — as well as much of the world, thanks to the huge interest in the battle.

Athletic’s manager believes he can make mum proud and claim three points.

“The advantage I have is that I probably know his mind as well as he knows it,” said Lee. “The fact I know him so well counteracts his experience over me. I know their team more than they know ours as well.

“But Yeovil are a very good side. They’re not up there by chance.”

As for which team Caron will be backing tonight, Lee has an inkling.

“She has certainly kept her cards close,” he added. “But I would say she will be secretly pleased if we win.”