Ready, willing and able

James Wesolowski: younger players are keen to learn from their mistakes.

IN or out of the team, James Wesolowski is content to do what he can to help Athletic’s cause — including learning from his own mistakes.

The battling Aussie has had an up-and-down time of things so far this season. Initially out of the side with a pre-season injury, the ex-Peterborough man impressively forced his way back into the team.

Three games later, Wesolowski was dropped after his “big mistake” - bundling Kevin Davies to the ground inside the penalty area at Preston.

But after stepping up from the bench in the first half at Rotherham, after David Mellor’s red card, he played a major role in turning the game on its head by adding much-needed bite to 10-man Athletic’s midfield. So much so that with Mellor suspended, it is hard to see him not starting against Crewe at Boundary Park tomorrow.

The 26 year old from Sydney will be ready: “If I am not in the starting 11, I will be ready to come on or to play the next week. Whatever the case, it is his decision. I am concentrating on being ready to go when called on, keeping up my fitness if not playing and keeping up my touch in training.”

While Athletic’s squad is less inexperienced than last year’s side, Wesolowski says the younger players smart enough to learn from their wrongdoing.

“We have made some silly errors, letting other teams in with a chance of getting something from the game,” Wesolowski added.

“They are things we have to get out of our game — my game too — for the rest of the season.

“The boys that are here, even though they are young, they have a high IQ. They are not silly lads.

“They are willing to learn and to put things right. We need to turn those lessons into positive results.”

Now in his third season with the club, despite recent results Wesolowski believes that Athletic’s home is a happier place than it has been since his arrival.

He said: “The Crewe game is a good opportunity for us. We are back at Boundary Park, where the atmosphere this year is the best it has been since I have been at the club.

“There is a good buzz around the place even though results haven’t been as good as they should have been.

“We are all excited to put things right with a good performance and hopefully, a good strong victory.”



ATHLETIC are well-fancied to turn Crewe over tomorrow, but still represent some value even at 10-11 for a home victory (Betfred, Paddy Power, Coral).

Lee Johnson’s side are playing well and don’t have too many problems scoring goals, while the Railwaymen’s historical record doesn’t inspire confidence that they can keep out their hosts.

Crewe have failed to record a clean sheet against Athletic in the last 14 meetings and have let in 12 goals in their last four Sky Bet League One fixtures.

Then again, Athletic haven’t registered a defensive shut-out all season. Two porous defences mean the 10-11 offered by Ladbrokes on over 2.5 goals being scored looks a decent price.