Looking up!

Photo: Alan Howarth

NEATLY TUCKED AWAY: Paul Green scores from the penalty spot on Tuesday night. It was Athletic's first penalty since March 1, 2016

PAUL Green believes that Athletic's new men-mountains can inspire a climb to safety.

Michael Ngoo, who stands at 6ft 6in, and 6ft 2in colleague Aaron Amadi-Holloway have given the squad a new dimension when it comes to putting opposition defenders in the shade.

John Sheridan's side have hit new heights on home turf - it's two wins from two played, ahead of Bradford's visit tomorrow - and Green, who netted the penalty which set the team on the way to a 2-0 defeat of Peterborough in midweek, says that the ability to play the ball up to an imposing figure up front makes his job easier.

'LIFT'

"It is always nice to get new faces in and it gives you a lift," said Green, who converted Athletic's first spot-kick since Liam Kelly converted the rebound from his own missed effort in a 1-1 home draw with Port Vale on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

"Michael played on Saturday at Shrewsbury. We know before that he hadn't played in quite a while, but you can see he is going to be a handful.

"With Aaron against Peterborough, you could clearly see what he brings to the team. The fans saw last year what he can do and as a midfielder, it is great to have a big man up there to run off who can hold it up.

"We have not really had that all season. In some parts, we have been bullied in certain situations but it is good to have two big men to chuck at the opposition when needed and as a midfielder, it's a dream to play with."

DIAMOND

Green was brought back into a diamond midfield formation against Peterborough, handing him his first start for the club under Sheridan. The experienced former Doncaster and Derby man impressed with a hard-working effort down the right side which helped stifle the visitors.

"I am disappointed when I'm out of the side, as I want to play in every game," Green said. "But I train hard and I feel like I am a good pro.

"I will take my turn when it is there. The gaffer has come in and said to us all we will all get our chance. It was a case of waiting for mine and I played against Peterborough and really enjoyed it.

"We were told what we needed to do and stuck to our task. We knew they were strong in midfield and all three of us and Ryan Flynn got on top of them.

"To cap it off with two goals made it a good night."

As for tomorrow's clash, there is a hint at a sense of lingering injustice from the last meeting at Valley Parade, where Billy Mckay was denied what appeared a certain penalty with Athletic already 1-0 up thanks to Peter Clarke's header.

"We could have been 2-0 up at Valley Parade had we been given the penalty," he added. "We know it is going to be tough against Bradford, but with the crowd behind us again I am sure we will put on another good performance and hopefully, get three points."

TOMORROW'S fixtures in Sky Bet League One (kick-offs 3pm unless stated) -

Bolton v Charlton; Bristol Rovers v Swindon (12.30pm); Bury v Walsall; Fleetwood v Southend; Gillingham v Shrewsbury; Northampton v Coventry; ATHLETIC v Bradford; Peterborough v MK Dons; Scunthorpe v Port Vale.