No letting-up now, insists Latics ace

James Wilson: no letting up

JAMES Wilson says it’s business as usual as Athletic strives to stretch an unbeaten run to 10 matches by the end of the season.

“If we are safe then we are. But we will carry on doing the same things in the last three games,” said WIlson. “We have been doing really well, so we just need to continue playing as we have been and that will make sure we are safe.”

The home defeat to Rotherham last month, which deepened fears about a drop to league two is long-forgotten.

Athletic was hit by injuries and suspensions that night — so much so that manager Lee Johnson brought in new players. Since then he has been able to select an unaltered team in six out of seven unbeaten games.

With the new-found mean attitude at the back — the team has kept four clean sheets in six matches compared to five in the preceding 36 — the omens are good for boosting the points total beyond the current 51.

Safety is not yet mathematically certain, but title sponsor bookmaker Sky Bet isn’t offering odds on Athletic suffering the drop.

Former Bristol City man Wilson credits players other than the back five who have helped the team to maintain its potent performances recently.

“It’s a team effort,” he said. “Paul Rachubka has been great behind us, talking to us, and he made a great save against Coventry as well. He really helps us.

“It has been the same team in almost all of those games and that helps. And the lads who have come off the bench in those matches have been brilliant as well. It has been a squad effort.”

The defender is open to staying at the club next season. “I love the place,” he said. “They are a great bunch of lads here and the manager is brilliant. I couldn’t be happier at the moment.”