Good to talk

YOU BEAUTY: Athletic players celebrate in front of ecstatic fans after Mike Jones’ brilliant free-kick against Fleetwood.

Athletic manager Lee Johnson believes Carl Winchester has Premier League class following his superb strike at Fleetwood to help push Athletic back into the top half of the league.

The 21 year old capped an accomplished display by smashing home the opening goal in the second half.

It was the Belfast-born player’s third goal for the club — all of them spectacular.

Johnson said the positive contribution made by Winchester came after a pep talk on the morning of the game.

“I spoke to Carl on the morning of the game and I was delighted for him - it had a good effect,” said Johnson, whose side is now 12th in the table ahead of tomorrow’s clash at home with Rochdale.

“I said ‘Winch, you have to make this the start of your future career’ - by which I meant his game is good and defensively he is good. He needs an end product — assists and goals.

Winchester’s strike was followed up by a second by Mike Jones, whose free-kick sparked joyous scenes among the travelling supporters.

“The fans were great, weren’t they? They are always good and I love it when we turn out in good numbers for an away game. They are definitely the 12th man,” Johnson said.

“We are headed in the right direction, it’s a nice set-up for the big game against Rochdale.

With Jonathan Forte injured, Johnson was forced to make changes including a new-look forward line of Dominic Poleon and Amari Morgan-Smith.

“It’s a win and we’re going in the right direction but we only have 12 fit players at the moment,” Johnson admitted.

Jabo Ibehre has been told he can leave Colchester and could yet return if a deal can be struck between the clubs, but every loan player has now left.

Johnson is eager to get extra bodies into the club as soon as he can: