Johnson willing to give youth its head

Photo: PICTURE by MAX FLEGO

GETTING STUCK IN . . . Athletic youngster Danny Gosset (right) challenges Leyton Orient’s Lloyd James at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

DANNY Gosset’s impressive first start for Athletic provided a glimpse into the future under manager Lee Johnson.

The manager reiterated his desire to develop the club’s best young players while recruiting experienced men around them.

With Athletic missing seven senior squad members on Saturday at Leyton Orient, Gosset (18) slotted into the centre of midfield to put on a confident and energetic show for 76 minutes.

First-year scholar Jack Truelove (17) arrived on the pitch for the final 11 minutes of the entertaining 1-1 draw, which rounded off the npower League One campaign. The result meant Athletic ended up 19th, on 51 points.

Johnson praised the influence of Gosset: “I thought he was fantastic,” said Johnson. “He is a lad who has come from nowhere, really, and impressed me in training. He is a good player. The thing he has to do is transfer it to the men’s game.

“It was a good-tempo, proper game and he was a real positive.”

Johnson added that he “shocked the life” out of Jack Truelove when informing the left-back he was to be named on the substitutes’ bench.

“He deserved it and played very well,” said Johnson.

Kirk Millar’s first senior goal can only have enhanced his prospects of landing a new deal. Talks with the 18 players out of contract will take place this week.

“The work certainly starts now,” said Johnson. “We will have a couple of days to let the dust settle.

“There is a lot to be positive about. If we can upgrade and add the quality around it, then there is a bright future.”



DEAN Furman’s dramatic promotion to the Championship with Doncaster has netted Athletic a cash prize, the Chronicle understands, as part of the deal which took the captain to Rovers last month.

The out-of-contract 24 year old is expected to make his move to the Keepmoat Stadium a permanent one on a free transfer.



LEE Johnson will turn out as a player tonight as Athletic’s reserves take on Manchester City at Boundary Park in a Manchester Senior Cup tie (7pm kick-off).

Admission is £4 for adults and £2 concessions, with free admission for season-ticket holders.



mattchambers@oldham-chronicle.co.uk