Testing times ahead

The Latics star writes every week for Chron Sport

WE are currently sitting on 38 points with only 12 games left — a scenario I definitely didn’t expect when I signed for Athletic last summer.

Our inability to kill off games or shut out the opposition is set to make it a very tense final two months. With a minimum of four wins needed to get to that 50-point safety mark, we find ourselves heading into a crucial run of March games.

Last weekend’s fixture at Tranmere Rovers was another example of a really good performance without the right result. Having gone ahead twice, we only managed a 2-2 draw - very disappointing..

There were plenty of negative comments after the MK Dons game and rightly so; the performance was nowhere near the standard we set ourselves. So to bounce back and produce the energy and endeavour that the lads showed at Prenton Park was massive.

I am also angry with myself at my reaction to our second goal. Had I been alert after the disappointment of David Worrall’s attempted pass to me being cut out, I would have got on the scoresheet with a simple tap-in.

This year is one of the tightest divisions in years. Only eight points separate the top five and there are only six between 12th and 21st. Plenty of clubs will be looking over their shoulder in this final quarter of the season...

As the cliche goes, we will take one game at a time and with Preston coming to Boundary Park tomorrow and bringing a decent following with them, then I am sure the atmosphere will be buzzing.

If we can repeat the standard of football the boys showed at Deepdale earlier in the season, but with more attacking purpose, it will be a very enjoyable contest.