Final report: getting better

MASKED AVENGER: James Wesolowski wore a face mask in the FA Cup tie at Liverpool after breaking his cheekbone.

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THE FIRST full season in management for Lee Johnson saw Athletic end up four places better off than last season.

That might appear to be only a sliver of progress. But look back as recently as the Rotherham defeat at home last month, which brought predictions of relegation, and the end result is a positive one.

Athletic haven’t finished as high as 15th in five years.

There have been as many twists and turns off the field as on it, with take-over bids, an alleged spot-fixing drama and chairman Simon Corney repeating his threat to resign if faced with relegation.

Looking back, here are six ways I believe Athletic can continue to improve in 2014-15 . . .



The goal-den ratio



It might just be that Korey Smith’s knee complaint was the saving grace of Athletic’s season.

On the captain’s return to the side against Crawley, he was protected from doing too much legwork by being positioned as a sweeper in front of the back four. A 4-1-4-1 formation helped bring about a new-found defensive solidity.

It also gave license to those in front of Smith to spring forward on the counter-attack. That proved useful away from home, particularly at Bradford.

But if Lee Johnson is to bring about a scoring renaissance, he must address the possibility that the structure that staved off relegation might not always be adventurous enough. Clean sheets alone won’t fill the new North Stand.



Dutch courage



Sidney Schmeltz’s failure to settle into life at Athletic will serve as a warning. Managers will always take punts and video evidence persuaded Johnson to bring in a player with undoubted speed but questionable resolve.

In the early days of the season a brash attacking outlook helped Schmeltz and his team-mates to look the part. Then came the sale of Jose Baxter; then the Cristian Montano affair. After that, patience was lost with our Sidney.

Add in lack of form in some players and injuries for others, and it’s not hard to see why Athletic struggled to be as dynamic as on that first day of the season.

The only way a club of Athletic’s standing can get a real leg-up next season is by unearthing a hidden gem. Johnson has to trust his instincts.



Paint the town blue

In reaching the latter stages of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, the club showed a commitment to knockout competitions that extends beyond the glamour of the FA Cup — vital though the regular meetings with Liverpool have been to club finances.

Lee Johnson is a single-minded winner. Touchline spats with Steve Evans of Rotherham and Shaun Derry of Notts County show the manager’s determination not to give an inch.

Athletic have it within their power to reach Wembley in a competition many other clubs opt not to take seriously. So why not in 2014-15?



Stand and deliver

Finally, Boundary Park will have some new seats to sit in. Lee Johnson says even the skeleton of the new stand going up over the last six weeks has had a positive effect on the players. With the ramped-up atmosphere inside Boundary Park drawing plenty of attention, imagine what it could be like having four populated stands once again.

A positive start on the pitch next season is essential in order for the feelgood factor to be maintained.



Crowd pleaser

Every crowd loves a player who seems to be just like them. Gary Harkins has been that man this season.

Some may argue he has been indulged by a manager who created a line-up to suit his style. But the game is nothing without its artists and the borrowed St Mirren man has done a good job replacing the outgoing Jose Baxter.

Five goals, including a sensational volley against Preston and the equaliser from the spot in the amazing Peterborough game, showed his effectiveness. Athletic’s fans need and deserve Gary Harkins — or, if he can’t be signed permanently, someone similarly able to ignite the imagination on the field.



Core concerns

Korey Smith has not attracted as many plaudits over the season as his long-time midfield partner James Wesolowski. But he has done enough to attract plenty of attention from scouts.

Lee Johnson revealed the club turned down a substantial bid for him in the same transfer window that saw James Tarkowski move to Brentford.

Keeping Smith, who still has a year on his contract, will be a battle this summer. But Lee Johnson will know that if he manages it, then a sprinkling of additions should see Athletic begin next season brightly.

Consistency is the key to success, as indicated by the starting line-up being the same in eight of the final 10, unbeaten matches of the season.

Johnson won’t be in any mood to tinker too much with that sort of success. If Smith goes he will be fiendishly difficult to replace.