Osei salute

DARIUS Osei was praised for his performance against Sheffield United on Boxing Day

ATHLETIC'S bold approach at Bramall Lane almost paid off, said manager Stephen Robinson, who hailed young forward Darius Osei's efforts in a losing cause.

Dropping centre-back Cameron Burgess - previously an ever-present - and with Ollie Banks too ill to start, Robinson shuffled his pack in a game that promotion-chasing Sheffield United only won thanks to two late Billy Sharp goals.

The result keeps Athletic bottom of the table heading into the New Year's Eve challenge at eighth-placed Fleetwood.

"Let's be honest, everyone expected us to be beaten. We had nothing to lose," said Robinson, who has at least one new striker lined up to come in if all goes to plan early next week.

"We were positive and went for it and I don't think we lost because of that - we lost because we didn't take our chances when they broke at us.

"They are a good side, with a lot of money behind them and 25,000 fans. They also have strikers that win you games. At this level, they are the difference."

Goalkeeper Connor Ripley provided a pre-match scare with a hand injury which required a precautionary x-ray, but was cleared to play, though midfielder Marc Klok (calf) was still not passed fit.

As for Banks, the midfielder will be back in contention for a place in the starting XI at Fleetwood along with Ousmane Fane, who has now served a two-match ban.

INJURY

Lee Erwin, who has recently struggled with a slight groin injury, was not included in the squad on Boxing Day.

"Ollie missed two days' training, which made my decision easier," Robinson added. "It certainly wasn't from how Ollie has been playing. He wasn't 100-per-cent and we have a lot of games coming up.

"Cameron Burgess was a tactical decision. Charles Dunne has a lot of pace and probably, a left-sided centre-back suits him more than at left-back.

"We caused ourselves problems against Southend by playing everything in front of them and didn't look to get in behind or make them run towards their own goal.

"At Sheffield United, we got in behind them and played better football as well, as we played in their half of the pitch.

"Ryan McLaughlin and Cameron Dummigan have real pace and energy and can get forward, so we could hit them on the break. And we had two up top, which was the most important thing.

"Darius was outstanding. He is a kid learning his trade but he won more headers than any striker has won for me all season.

"That was a massive bonus and he will get another chance."

Robinson continues to chase down new signings to try to improve a paltry goals record that now stands at 12 scored in 22 league outings.

"We have people we are desperately trying to get in on January 1 if the embargo is lifted," he said. "We are talking to them.

"We are bottom of the league and it isn't easy to pull somebody out of the bag, but we are trying our very best to get somebody in.

"We know the difference between where we are now and being a decent mid-table side is taking our chances."