Flexible friend

James Wesolowski: “we have a great chance here.”

JAMES Wesolowski is happy to work under a manager willing o change his ideas as the season progresses.

Out of the first-team picture at the start of the season through injury, the Aussie midfield man is now in the form of his life.

Wesolowski (26) has four Chronicle “Star Man” nominations under his belt so far — more than any of his team-mates.

He puts his improvement down to Lee Johnson, whose ideas Wesolowski says are starting to show through.

“The gaffer has helped out with a few aspects of my game,” said Wesolowski. “It has helped me a lot. I feel a lot fitter in games, as I am not running around everywhere like a headless chicken.

“Korey Smith and Anton Rodgers are top quality players, while behind me James Tarkowski and Jonathan Grounds never stop talking, which makes the game a lot easier.

“We have a great chance here with a great squad and very good manager. He has looked at the things that weren’t going right at the start of the season; it hasn’t been a fluke. He has trained us and taught us the right things to do. I think everyone has taken the ideas on board.”

Wesolowski tells of a changing room brimming with the confidence following a three-match winning streak.

Gillingham were beaten 1-0 at the weekend, but the magnitude of that win against rugged opponents could have been greater.

“We have been on a good run and we are playing some good stuff,” Wesolowski added. “We showed a different side to our game at Gillingham. Hopefully, we can keep the run going.”



ATHLETIC have already seen off Shrewsbury Town this season - 4-1 in the opening round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Wesolowski is wary of a potential backlash tonight. Graham Turner’s side has lost only once in six games since early September.

“Whenever you get a pasting, you do go out wanting to gain revenge the next time,” Wesolowski said.

“But the way we are playing at the moment, I am sure we can continue to do the same things and cause them enough problems to take the three points.

Shrewsbury are likely to field four loan players tonight as they try to stay ahead of Athletic in the League One standings.