Bold quest for points

LOAN signing Jacob Mellis could slot straight into midfield tomorrow. PICTURE: MAX FLEGO

THE FINAL destination of Athletic’s season won’t be fully decided in the course of five games in the next 15 days.

But if points aren’t collected quickly, the dream of a top-six finish will ebb away.

Manager Lee Johnson could select loaned Blackpool midfield man Jacob Mellis from the start tomorrow as he tries to get the team back on an upward curve. There is a prospect of Jonathan Forte returning from injury to boost the forward line.

Only one win in the past six league games has given Johnson new impetus to improve things at both ends of the field.

“We’ve got to stick in there,” he said. “It’s not make but it can be break. We have got good players. We are relatively consistent performers in general play and we need to win both boxes. Do that and we will certainly win the majority of our games.”

Notts County are a point and four places better off than their hosts tomorrow, but have played a game more.

“They are a good side,” he added. “I can see what Shaun Derry has done. He has brought in good, solid professionals you can rely on.”

Johnson is without Joseph Mills tomorrow as he sits out the last of his three-match ban.