Latics put chill into enemy

Photo: Alan Howarth

SMILE...Goal scorer Ryan McLaughlin (right) gets a hug from Paul Green after extending Athletic's lead against Coventry.

ATHLETIC are becoming a team that opponents hate - but that's fine with manager John Sheridan.

A new mean streak has shown through at SportsDirect.com Park and the battling, bullying qualities were on show again in the defeat of Coventry which represented a third home success in four outings.

Athletic take on travelling Charlton tonight (7.45pm kick-off) bidding to make it back-to-back wins in Sky Bet League One for the first time this season.

And Sheridan isn't at all worried about what had been described as a "fear factor" at home under previous boss Stephen Robinson.

Instead, the aim is to use a physical approach to put a chill into the enemy, following on from successes against Gillingham, Peterborough and the Sky Blues.

"The players can't worry too much if they hear mumbles and grumbles around the place," said Sheridan. "Get on with the game.

'AFFECTED'

"Whether it affected them before I came I don't know, but winning can only help you.

"Even against Bradford we competed. They were the better team on the day, but we didn't stop going and could have got something.

"I don't think we will out-pass teams. But anyone watching us at the moment will think, 'Oldham get in your face a bit - they won't let you play and they get in and around you'.

"If it has to be like that to win games, that's what we will do."

Athletic found their scoring touch against Coventry in firing three past Russell Slade's side and Sheridan says as long as that trend continues, he is not concerned where the goals come from.

"Ryan McLaughlin could have possibly scored four or five in the past few games," the manager added. "He had a couple of chances at Chesterfield and a chance against Bradford.

"His goal here against Coventry was excellent and there is probably only him who could score that. His first touch was really good and with his directness and pace it was a great finish as well.

"It might be other players who score the goals for us. Peter Clarke keeps popping up and if it's him who scores them, so be it.

"As long as we are scoring, I'm not bothered who gets them. Aiden O'Neill could have scored himself and we have to get people in forward areas, higher up the pitch."

Charlton are unbeaten in their last seven outings under Karl Robinson and Sheridan accepts they could be a tough nut to crack.

"They are a strong team and on paper you would look at them as being one of the teams pushing to get out of this league," he said.

"I have to respect they are a strong outfit. Karl is not long in there so he will be putting his own stamp on it.

"But I have to look at us and not worry about the opposition too much, working out how we can affect the game and hopefully, get the points we are after."

The main injury concern for Athletic tonight is Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who had to be substituted early on against Coventry after sustaining an injury.

"We will see what the report is on Aaron," Sheridan said. "It was a kick on his knee, so it is going to be tender."

Athletic (probable, 4-4-2): Ripley; Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt; Green, Fane, O'Neill, Taylor; Amadi-Holloway, McLaughlin. Subs (from): Kettings, Law, Reckord, Edmundson, Banks, Flynn, Croft, Ngoo, Erwin, Osei, Obadeyi.