Waiting game

LEE JOHNSON: waiting game

ATHLETIC are being linked to a host of potential summer targets - but manager Lee Johnson remains patient over player prospects.

Almost every day Athletic is being mentioned in connection with one player or another. This week it has been Port Vale midfielder Chris Lines (28) and 26-year-old ex-Crewe and Sheffield United striker Shaun Miller.

Johnson isn’t keen to discuss who he might be pursuing; at this time of year there’s a waiting game as agents seek out the best deals for their clients.

Johnson said: “It can be really difficult for a club like ours. There are so many players out there, and a lot of clubs in the market. It’s about competing with the other clubs.

“Sometimes we have to wait and maybe look at the players who are going to be the second, third or fourth in the draft pick.

‘Having said all that, we are becoming more evolution than revolution at Oldham. We’ve already got some excellent young players in the squad so we have to work out whether new players will fit into the jigsaw.”



Athletic have booked their fourth and fifth pre-season friendly fixtures. The team will travel to Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium on July 10 and League Two Morecambe’s Globe Arena on July 22 (both 7.30pm kick-off).

Potential new faces are likely to feature in some, if not all, the pre-season games.