Win ugly, says Grounds

Defender Jonathan Grounds says Athletic possess the skills to beat Leyton Orient this weekend.

VERSATILE defender Jonathan Grounds says it’s time for Athletic to “win ugly”.

Manager Lee Johnson favours an enterprising, attacking style of football that has earned rich praise. But when wins are seen as the ultimate expression of quality, Athletic have come up short just two league victories in nine games.

On Saturday, unbeaten leaders Leyton Orient head to Boundary Park - and Grounds reckons a win will be the launch pad for a Latics push.

The former Middlesbrough man said: “People outside may say we’ve not got the results our performances deserved, but as players we can’t really say that.

“You have got to win ugly sometimes. We haven’t done that yet. We haven’t managed to keep a clean sheet either, and that’s obviously important.

“As a defender I’m particularly keen to shore things up so we can get a good result at the weekend, and hopefully the boys up the pitch will do their bit. It would be a big, big win for us against Orient.

“If we did come away with the three points it could give us the platform to go on a little run — it’s one we need at this minute.”



ATHLETIC’s game against Notts County on October 12 has been postponed. County asked for the stay after three players — Andre Boucard, Greg Tempest and Callum McGregor — received international call-ups.

When three or more players are unavailable, clubs can seek to have games called off. No new date has been set.