No favours for Philliskirk

PRIMED FOR ACTION: Athletic’s Danny Philliskirk hopes to feature tomorrow.

DANNY Philliskirk won’t get any special treatment from his dad while at Athletic.

The 22-year-old forward scored a well-taken hat-trick for the reserves against Tranmere this week, taking his tally to four goals in two reserve games - prompting calls for him to be named in the squad for Port Vale.

Whether that happens remains to be seen, but what is beyond doubt is that manager Lee Johnson won’t allow family feelings to seep into the professional environment.

“It is really hard to come into a club where your dad is<’ said Johnson — who did just that at Yeovil and Bristol City under dad Gary.

“It is human nature that people chuck the nepotism accusation at you,” said Johnson, who has worked closely with Philliskirk’s father Tony, the club’s long-standing academy manager, since his arrival at the club five months ago.

“That’s why I have gone the other way with him, to say he really has to earn it.

“I know that it is hard for the dad and hard for the son. The important thing is that the dad says what everyone else is thinking, whether good or bad. That is the key.”

Johnson praised Oldham-born Philliskirk’s work in training, but wants the former Chelsea academy prospect to earn a full contract the hard way. “I’d like to sign him,” added Johnson, who has Philliskirk in on non-contract terms. “He has done well and wouldn’t be too expensive. He has the potential, but we can’t be caught with too much potential —

I’ll get the boot and some other manager will come with all my players and look like Jose Mourinho!”


ATHLETIC were unucky to come away from Peterborough without a point to show for their effort, writes Chronicle betting pundit KEITH McHUGH.
So there may be a sense of injustice in their approach when they play host to Port Vale tomorrow.

Such motivation could spell trouble for the visitors, who may well have to weather an early storm.

I quite fancy Athletic in the half-time, full-time result market.

Athletic can be backed at 5-2 to lead at the end of both halves, whereas they are only 13-10 to win outright.

Port Vale are 2-1 to come away with a victory, while the draw will attract some punters at 12-5.