Bring good times back

HIGH FIVES...flashback to Athletic's 5-0 drubbing of Nottingham Forest a decade ago when crowds of 8,000 flocked to watch the team

JOHN Sheridan is determined to pack out the stands again at Athletic, building a future that replicates glories of the past.

The vision of the returning manager is for the team to hit the heights achieved in the last mission to the Sky Bet League One play-offs under his command a decade ago.

Readying his side for the trip to relegation rivals Shrewsbury on Saturday, the new boss says that the intensity of the spotlight is not something he is after.

He wants his side to do the talking for him - avoiding the drop by taking the necessary points in the final 21 games of the campaign and then building from there.

"It is not about me and I said that last season," insisted Sheridan, who has fitness concerns over hamstring injury duo Lee Croft and Darius Osei.

"Everyone keeps saying I am miserable, but that's just the way I come across. Believe me, I like a laugh and a joke.

"But I love football and I love winning. I know what the fans want and I have been here when we have had really good times.

"The first time I was a manager, we were the best team in this league most of the time, getting 8,000 crowds.

'BEATING'

"I remember us beating Nottingham Forest 5-0.

"That's what I want now, what I want us to get back to.

"I won't patronise the supporters. I want to get safe this season, then build.

"I can't look a year ahead. I need to look at the next 10 games and keep on building."

Athletic are expected to bring in new players this week, with the registration embargo having been lifted yesterday by the Football League.

Anthony Gerrard, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Michael Ngoo are all in line to sign in time to take on the Shrews.

Sheridan says he will pick his team for that clash on merit and not simply stay loyal to those men who helped see off Gillingham.

"It is a clean slate for everyone," said Sheridan of his squad options. "I came in last season and there were players who were not in the team and I played them.

"I have also told the players that just because we beat Gillingham, I won't be frightened of changing my team for Shrewsbury if I feel it is the right thing to do.

"I want everyone on their toes and believing they have a chance of being in the team.

"I want to get two or three quick results and for us to get a bit of belief in ourselves.

"We don't have to play great to win games. But - and we did it a lot last year - if you have that endeavour and the fans can see you are trying, then you have got half a chance.

"You also need a bit of luck and we had that against Gillingham, though at the same time we could have had two or three goals."