Boss Robinson demands... more of the same, please

Photo: Alan Howarth

Stephen Robinson gets his point across at SportsDirect.com Park

CONSISTENCY is key for Athletic ahead of tomorrow's test at Gillingham.

Manager Stephen Robinson is determined that his men can continue to avoid the drop in performance levels that have been suffered at home in recent weeks.

The Swindon defeat followed a positive effort at Coventry and after a bright and dominant showing at Charlton, the home hoodoo struck when MK Dons emerged with a 2-0 vitory last week.

Carl Winchester is likely to keep his place at Priestfield after a bright showing in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy victory at Fleetwood, in which fellow wide man Ryan Flynn also stood out and helped create the opening goal for Billy Mckay.

Lee Erwin also bagged his second goal of the season and Robinson hopes his side will continue to hit the goals trail in seeking a win that could lift the club off the foot of Sky Bet League One.

"It gives people a real belief in what they are doing when they score goals," said Robinson, who is likely to reprise his Mckay-Erwin partnership tomorrow.

"It has been frustrating in a couple of home games, but we are getting there. That performance shows what we can do - as did Coventry and especially the Charlton game.

"We have a decent group of players and we know where we are in the league. It's still very early on in the season, but we are determined to put a run of results together.

"We watched MK Dons back and there wasn't too much between the teams. We didn't perform as well as we could have done on the ball and we were aware of that.

"We went 2-0 down and chased it and were more open. They could have had more, but we had to do that.

"At Fleetwood we were disciplined and organised and I felt that Carl Winchester came in and did really well.

"We know what he can do on the ball. He gave us 73 good minutes and if he can keep getting fitter and stronger then he's an asset to the club."

Though only MK Dons have a poorer home record in League One than Athletic, Robinson's side are on a stretch of four unbeaten away following on from the under-cooked opening-day loss at Millwall.

"Our record away from home is very good," added Robinson. "Home form is a problem we will get to the bottom of and I want the fans to see how we can play and that the players we have brought in are good ones."

Cameron Dummigan played the full game as Northern Ireland's under-21s drew 1-1 in Ukraine in their penultimate European Championship qualifier.

Jim Magilton's side face France at Windsor Park in the final group game on Tuesday.


Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Burgess, Reckord; Winchester, Green, Fane, Flynn; Erwin, Mckay. Subs (from): Kettings, Law, Dunne, Klok, Banks, Croft, Osei, Ladapo.

MICKY Mellon has left Athletic's League One rivals Shrewsbury in order to manage his former club Tranmere in the Vanarama National League.

The 44-year-old has been in charge at Greenhous Meadow for two years.