Johnson maintains faith despite 13th defeat

Athletic boss Lee Johnson says his players are “almost trying too hard”.

Lee Johnson refuses to panic over Athletic’s league predicament - and believes his players are good enough to pull the club out of trouble.

The manager told the Chronicle he sent assistant Paul Murray out to talk to the press after the 1-0 defeat at Port Vale partly so he wouldn’t simply be repeating himself about the reasons for the defeat.

Lax defending and pulled punches in scoring positions were again to blame as Athletic slipped to a 13th defeat of the season.

Despite the gloomy picture, Johnson believes better times are around the corner: “We should have been two up by half-time; we conceded an awful goal and we didn’t score - again,” Johnson said.

“Tension and frustration are clouding our judgement. We are almost trying too hard and are tightening up and snatching at things. The good thing is there is still a lot of hope going forward.

“I read the comments from Paul Murray after the game and what he said is right. You have to question the underbelly of this young group. But we will be fine, I know that. I am not worried or about to panic. We concentrate on improving.”

Adam Rooney failed to even get on the field as a substitute as Athletic hunted in vain for an equaliser.

Speculation continues that he may be heading out of the club to Scotland, but continued speculation that Halifax hot-shot Lee Gregory is on his way in imminently was scotched after the game by Murray, who has watched the player in action.

“When they are talking about a fee for him (Gregory), I have to compare him to what we already have and he isn’t as good as they are, really,” said Murray.

Gregory (25), a former Mansfield forward, got his 17th goal of the season for Halifax in a 1-1 home draw with Cambridge United on Saturday.

On-loan winger Mike Petrasso has returned to his parent club QPR after two months at Boundary Park.

Rangers’ management were keen to bring back the Canadian flyer, who has attracted attention from other clubs due to his good form under Johnson.



ATHLETIC’S rearranged home game against MK Dons takes place on Tuesday, February 25 (7.45pm kick-off).