Walsall was a blip, says Johnson

“THE points will soon pile up,” those 358 Athletic fans exiting London Road may well have said, “if we keep playing like that.”

Positive reactions to the 2-1 defeat by well-heeled Peterborough outweighed the negative on social media after last weekend’s game.

Criticisms mainly seemed to come from supporters who weren’t there.

Lee Johnson is in the positive camp. Despite three successive losses he says the exciting style of play will continue.

“We WILL keep playing like that,” said Johnson as he preared the team for the Port Vale game.

“Walsall was different; we were knackered. It could easily have been a draw.”

He doesn’t agree that the loss of Jean-Yves Mvoto, who ended up signing for Barnsley in the Championship, has hampered Athletic too much.

“Because we lost Jean-Yves and people didn’t see a 6ft5in replacement, I think there was a bit of panic from some people.

“But as a team, I want us to defend from the front, and our team shape on Saturday and how we handled Peterborough was top drawer.”