Sheridan full of praise for Latics battlers

BLUE BELTER . . . Ollie Banks puts Athletic in front

JOHN Sheridan was happy to heap the praise on his hard-working players as Athletic took another step towards safety last night.

An early goal from Ollie Banks proved the difference as Charlton were seen off at SportsDirect.com Park, the result pushing Athletic up to 19th in Sky Bet League One ahead of Saturday's game at relegation-threatened Swindon.

Sheridan's side had to dig in to pick up a fourth win in five home matches since the manager's return to the club and he was delighted with the no-nonsense way his men went about their business.

"All I can do is praise my players," Sheridan said. "They are doing everything required to get out of the position we are in.

"Anyone who knows me, how I played myself and how the teams I have managed play, knows I want us to pass and move and play from the back.

"But it is not the right time to do that. The players understand that and are sticking to what I think will get us out of it.

"We are hard to play against. We don't half put in a shift, every one of them. The subs who came on too, they all know what we are trying to do.

"If we score first, we are not a bad team for wanting to keep clean sheets and fighting for everything to get to three points.

'PRESSURE'

"Again, that's what we have done. They put us under pressure and Connor Ripley made one or two saves, but we had one or two great chances as well.

"I'm chuffed to bits the way we went about the game. It's about the three points, that's what we are after.

"Peter Clarke hit a post when I thought it was in. We know what shape we are playing in and what everyone's job is when going back to defend.

"They all put bodies on the line when they have to and we are creating chances. I have a strong bench and there are 18 or 19 players who I am comfortable with whoever I play, which is a good sign.

"I have to keep them all on their toes and as sharp as I can, because I am not frightened to put people in the team - as I showed here and probably will on Saturday.

"I want them all thinking they have a chance of playing.

"Whatever decisions I make are purely for the benefit of Oldham."

Sheridan, who admitted that Athletic's weather-beaten home pitch is "very dodgy" at present, will have striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway (knee) back in the squad for Saturday's visit to the County Ground knowing that a third straight win would increase the gap between the respective clubs to eight points, with only another 13 fixtures left to play.

"I am only bothered about us picking the points up," Sheridan added. "We all know what we think the points tally needed will be (to avoid relegation).

"If we can gain an advantage on teams in and around us, so be it.

"Hopefully we go to Swindon with a bit of confidence. We should have."

Last night' results in Sky Bet League One -

AFC Wimbledon 1, Coventry City 1; Bristol Rovers 0, Sheffield Utd 0; Bury 0, MK Dons 0; Fleetwood 2, Bradford City 1; Gillingham 1, Chesterfield 1; Millwall 2, Port Vale 0; Northampton 2, Swindon 1; ATHLETIC 1, Charlton 0; Oxford 0, Southend 2; Peterborough 2, Shrewsbury 1; Scunthorpe 0, Walsall 0; Bolton Wanderers 1, Rochdale 0.