Johnson’s respect for opposite number

ATHLETIC boss Lee Johnson isn’t expecting any touchline friction against Crewe tomorrow.

Last weekend’s league defeat at Rotherham included clashes between Johnson and his opposite number Steve Evans during and after the match. Evans has been warned about his future conduct in an FA letter.

Fans shouldn’t expect such verbal tussles tomorrow: “I’ve got a lot of time for Crewe and their manager Steve Davis,” says Johnson.

“I actually spent a bit of time there training when I was looking for a club. I was grateful to Steve for allowing me to do that, and I learned a lot from him. There’s a lot of respect between the two of us.

“Of course it’s going to be quite intense because we’re both desperate for three points.

“I’ll just be looking to control the controllables, and hopefully the players will give it their utmost — as they always do — to get the win we need.”