Six-point plan to save Latics’ season
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 23 January 2014
KOREY Smith is all smiles after his goal against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup — but the Athletic skipper has gone 95 appearances without scoring in the league.
THINGS can only get better for Athletic . . . can’t they?
It is only two months ago that a squad featuring the vast bulk of the same players went on an unbeaten run of four wins and two draws.
If a week is a long time in politics, eight weeks seems like an eternity in football. Athletic are infuriating at present. Since seeing off Shrewsbury in the last game of November, there have been only two wins in 13 games.
Despite many displays featuring dominance in possession, Lee Johnson’s side has paid a heavy price for defensive lapses — and the forward line isn’t scoring nearly enough goals.
First-team coach Paul Murray said after the latest defeat it was “back to the drawing board.”
So with that in mind, here’s my six-point manifesto for improvement.
Goals from midfield
James Wesolowski — the last man to score for Athletic — also won a penalty at Walsall with a surge into the area. It wasn’t his fault that Adam Rooney’s spot-kick was superbly saved by Saddlers ’keeper Richard O’Donnell.
It is worth noting, though, that the Aussie’s match-winning header against Stevenage was only the third strike by a central midfield player in 36 league games under the current management. The other two came from Jose Baxter, playing in an attacking midfield role behind two strikers at Stevenage.
More of the same is needed from Wesolowski and if his captain, Korey Smith, can chip in with a few strikes of his own to break his personal 95-match Football League duck then even better.
Danny Philliskirk’s scoring boots
The superb footwork was in evidence again at Port Vale, as he swept past two defenders before slipping James Dayton in on goal. But the mini-drought goes on for Athletic’s 10-goal top scorer. Philliskirk Jnr is slicing and pulling his shooting efforts lately, the built-up tension of not having netted in his last five outings taking its toll.
Perhaps he needs a settled partner up front, or a role behind a front two. It is vital Philliskirk’s talents are used to their best effect.
More clean sheets
Mark Oxley’s brilliant penalty save at Port Vale was testament to the Hull player’s game-to-game improvement.
Athletic’s big problem is a lack of defensive concentration. While not letting opponents fire off too many shots, those that end up counting too often do so because of slack marking or positioning.
Hitting the target
Propelling the ball into the net, as opposed to around the outside of it, has been a major problem for Athletic.
Recent games prove the point. Athletic at times dominated their hosts and had more attempts on goal. But together, only five of 22 efforts troubled the opposition goalkeeper.
Fringe players stepping up
David Mellor appeared to have blown his chance at Brentford. The 20 year old was severely off the pace and hauled off after only 27 minutes. As it turned out, he was ill. Lee Johnson put him in for the next game and he has featured in every fixture since, improving every time.
Others have to follow suit when given their chance. Carl Winchester scored a brilliant goal against Swindon but was defensively lax next time.
Kirk Millar was the star of the show as an early substitute against Carlisle but severely disappointed when given two starts shortly after.
None of this trio of players are now teenagers: they must contribute more.
Make Boundary Park better
Yes, facilities are poor; the atmosphere on matchday tends to drift away, the bread-and-butter football on display doesn’t really satisfy and yes, the pies run out too quickly.
Still, there is a feeling that visiting teams have it a bit easy at Athletic’s home. A typical matchday can be a frustrating experience. But fewer catcalls for well-meaning errors by the home side’s players and more encouragement would surely only be beneficial.
