Sky’s the limit for Tarky, says Latics boss

MAN OF THE MOMENT . . . Athletic’s new style of play has seen James Tarkowski flourish this season.

JAMES Tarkowski’s brilliant performance in front of a TV audience has drawn strong praise from his manager.

Lee Johnson believes Athletic’s new ethos suits the stylish 20-year-old centre-back down to the ground.

Tarkowski’s 51st league appearance for the club saw him dominate defensively in the televised defeat at Preston — then score with an excellent header towards the end.

Linked with Huddersfield in the recent transfer window, the ball-playing defender’s value will have rocketed as a result of his exploits. A host of scouts from the likes of Premier League clubs Arsenal, West Brom, Stoke and Newcastle, will have left Deepdale mighty impressed.

As far as Lee Johnson is concerned, the New Moston talent still has a way to go — but believes he can eventually reach the very top of the game.

“I have said before that he can be anything. We have played football this year and he has come in and found it has suited him even more,” Johnson said of Tarkowski, who operates alongside another cultured centre-back in Jonathan Grounds.

“At Preston he was a colossus, not only in defense and through scoring, but also being brave to take the ball and come out with it as he did.”




Jonson Clarke-Harris produced two superb strikes as Athletic’s reserves saw off Shrewsbury 3-2 in the Central League at Greenhous Meadow yesterday.



After Edijs Joksts had headed home a corner, 19-year-old forward Clarke-Harris drilled in a 25-yard free-kick and then turned and found the back of the net from the edge of the area as Athletic built a three-goal lead by half-time.

Manager Lee Johnson was named as a substitute and played for over an hour as the visitors held on for the victory.