Latics’ new mean streak yielding vital points
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 25 February 2014
TOUCHLINE TUTOR: Tommy Wright gets his point across to Athletic’s players during the 1-0 defeat of Gillingham on Saturday.
STATISTICS suggest the current crop of Athletic players is best equipped to gain regular, positive results.
Their efforts might not always be pretty to watch — and they certainly weren’t against Gillingham, on a day when new signing Terry Dunfield became the 36th player used by manager Lee Johnson in 2013-14.
But since Adam Lockwood and James Wilson have arrived, Johnson has nailed down a defensive consistency that was previously lacking. Two clean sheets have been recorded in the four matches the pair have started together in the back line.
Athletic have only netted their usual goal per game across the same period. But thanks to the solid base, solitary strikes have helped acquire seven points in February. Win tonight against MK Dons and we may even be in manager of the month territory.
The quality of Athletic’s play at present is not always up there with that showcased in the 2-1 defeat at Preston earlier in the campaign. That was a game new assistant manager Tommy Wright watched with interest, as a neutral performing scouting duties for Plymouth.
Wright acknowledges the switch towards a more rugged approach, compared to what went before.
“I think they have changed a bit over the season. I first saw the team at Preston and they played really well,” said Wright. “The one thing you saw on Saturday was that they were determined to keep a clean sheet and clean sheets get you points. I am sure they can play better.
“It was a pleasing three points because it is a good sign when you get three and don’t play so well.”
MK Dons’ injury-hit side hasn’t found the net since beating Athletic in the last fixture.
“They have had one or two difficult away games,” added Wright, who picked out Stephen Gleeson, Antony Kay and Daniel Powell as danger men. “They have struggled at Carlisle and Bradford and have one or two injuries. It might be a good time to play them.”
