Green making a pitch for play-off contention

Paul Green

PAUL Green has doubled down on his view that Athletic are potentially a play-off team, ahead of what he reckons will be a stern examination at Bolton.

Successive wins on the road have left Stephen Robinson's men in buoyant mood ahead of their first away fixture against Bolton in 20 years.

Having taken care of Fleetwood and Gillingham on their own turf, midfield general has his eyes set on another scalp on Athletic's first-ever visit to the Macron Stadium.

With no defeats away from home since the opening day at Millwall, Green (33) is exuding confidence while acknowledging that Phil Parkinson's side will provide stiff opposition.

FEAR

"The squad we have, I think it's top half or play-offs, definitely," said the former Derby and Leeds player.

"The way we are playing our football at the moment, there is nothing for us to fear in this division.

"Bolton are obviously a big club and they will have pressure put upon them to be promoted straight away.

"We know it's going to be tough. Phil Parkinson's teams are always difficult, just as Bradford were.

"But we know what it will be all about. We just have to be ready for it and raring to go."

A victory on Saturday could push Athletic as high as 15th and for Green, Athletic have not quite enjoyed the best of fortunes when it comes to converting superiority into points.

"We have drawn too many games this year, but the football is there for us to work off," he added.

"Hopefully, it will start to turn now.

"We got a good win at Gillingham, which we thoroughly deserved. There have been other games like that this season where we have played just as well, but not come out with anything.

"To come off the field feeling disappointed with a draw, away from home, you know you've done something right.

"Against Coventry and Charlton, we should have got three points but it wasn't to be.

"We plod on. This is a tight league and we are working hard week-in and week-out - it is showing.

"Our home form is not the best at the moment. But we will be working hard to turn that around."

Green has struck up a promising partnership with Ousmane Fane.

The French starlet (22) is at the opposite end of the experience spectrum to Green and the Pontefract man explained how he encourages Fane to simplify his game.

"He is really effective," Green said. "He breaks things up and keeps it easy, which as a player is what I have tried to get across to him.

"We just tell him to do those things that he is in the side to do.

"He has done it very well and long may it continue."

LEE Knight made it two goals in as many outings for Ashton United on Tuesday.
The on-loan Athletic winger, who netted on debut in a 2-2 draw at Halesowen, was on the score sheet as his new side - jointly managed by Will Haining - won 4-3 against Grantham Town.