Crunch time for Latics in drop battle

STRENGTH UP TOP: Aaron Amadi-Holloway

BOTTOM of the table and with a three-point gap to overcome to the safety of a place outside the bottom-four, Athletic need to find a way to win sooner rather than later.

The two crucial rearranged fixtures - at home to Peterborough on Tuesday, January 24, and at MK Dons on Tuesday, February 7 - could prove to be all-important in the battle against the drop.

With 11 games between now and the end of February, hitting the ground running is key for new boss John Sheridan.

Here, we look at five keys to surviving once again in League One.

1. Another Matt Palmer

Obviously, the real deal is out of the question. Palmer, whose energy in midfield played such a major part in the late-season rescue act last season while on loan from Burton, is a mainstay in the Brewers' team that is battling to remain in the Championship.

But a player cut from similar cloth would be just the trick for an Athletic central midfield that is currently lacking that one player who has an eye for a telling, quick pass into the strikers. More care in possession should also improve counter-attacks that are at present too ponderous.

Athletic need to move quickly.

2. The Aaron Amadi-Holloway factor

Athletic have missed a hold-up player who can win scraps from tough opposing centre-backs and enable the whole team to push up the pitch.

Amadi-Holloway has been lined up for some time to come in from Fleetwood on loan and, presumably provided Sheridan gives the switch the green light, he could make as big an impact as he did last year.

INTRIGUING
There are question marks though. He has only played 10 games for Uwe Rosler's side this season, scoring twice. Will he be fit enough? Only time will tell, but if Billy Mckay sticks around it would be intriguing to find out if his scoring record benefits playing alongside a player of the 23-year-old's stature.

3. Embargo being lifted

Athletic are run on a shoestring and nobody is doubting that. Crowds are among the poorest in the division and there have been problems in the recent past with wages being paid late. The latest financial difficulty has been the registration embargo due to unpaid bills, which added to outgoing boss Stephen Robinson's difficulties. It meant he could not re-sign Cameron Burgess, who has instead gone to Bury. The embargo should be lifted by early next week, though, allowing Sheridan a chance to bring in new players before the window shuts at the end of the month.

4. The next two

Tomorrow's home clash with a Gillingham side having to readjust following the sacking of Justin Edinburgh is a huge one for Athletic's players.

Can they bounce back from the disappointment of the defeat at Mansfield? The Gills have only won one of their last six outings away from home and three points for the hosts would certainly help lift spirits at SportsDirect.com Park.

A week later, there is a trip to a Shrewsbury side who sit in 20th, before two play-off contenders in Peterborough (away) and then Bradford (home). A positive start to the post-Robinson era would be huge.

5. Togetherness

A struggling side on the field does not make for a happy camp off it.

Fans have expressed their frustration at perceived errors of judgement by those at the helm at SportsDirect.com Park and also at the lack of excitement at home.

What nobody wants to see, though, is the club relegated. Robinson rightly made a point of praising the loud, positive atmosphere generated against Port Vale in the cause of what was ultimately a draw. More of the same is a must against Gillingham tomorrow.