Latics’ chance to cash in on opponents’ frailties

ATHLETIC appear to have had a lucky escape in NOT signing Miguel Llera.

The experienced left-sided defender was on trial at the club during pre-season and turned out in three friendlies.

He parted company with the squad for Scunthorpe on the eve of a team-building stay in the Lake District.

Llera (35) was thrust into the action for the promoted outfit, who had a record-breaking 28-match unbeaten run in League Two last term.

But for the Spaniard — and the Iron as a whole — things haven’t worked out as they would have wished: he has been part of one of the worst defensive line-ups in the country.

On the opening day Llera was in the defence that shipped three goals in losing at Swindon.

AMatters got even worse in their next game, when a side including Llera lost 4-0 at home to Preston.

He was dropped and regained his position only to be part of a side that surrendered a second-half lead at Chesterfield to lose 4-1.

Llera won’t be available for Saturday’s visit to SportsDirect.com Park - he is suspended.

Scunthorpe are struggling so badly at present there is a suggestion manager Wilcox’s time may be approaching an end.

Scunthorpe chairman Peter Swann recently expressed his dissatisfaction on the club’s website: “I haven’t spent money and time to improve the club to take a step back now,” he said.

The Iron lost 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday. Only Crewe (on 21) have conceded more than Scunthorpe’s 20.