Heading in the right direction

Peter Clarke goal celebration

CAPTAIN Peter Clarke says minds remain fully steeled on the quest to avoid relegation, after a series of good results raised hopes of remaining in Sky Bet League One.

Athletic picked up a useful point at Swindon to stay in 19th spot in the table, ahead of this week's home meeting with Millwall.

The Lions are in action tonight and will move into the play-off spots with a positive result at home to Chesterfield, but after a run of five wins and a draw in the last nine outings Athletic won't feel too much fear with the belief that there is more to come in terms of goals.

ILLUSIONS

"We are under no illusions," said Clarke.

"We are still in the thick of it and we need more points.

"But we have picked up recently with some decent results and we are going, hopefully, the right way about it.

"At times we have played well and at times not but have won.

"Hopefully, it is the sign of a decent side being one that can win 'ugly'.

"Perhaps we could be a little better going forward.

"On the flip side, we have been pretty resolute and tough to break down through the course of the season.

"If we are not scoring bundles, we are not allowing the opposition to score many against us and we are keeping a tight ship.

"If we continue to do that, it means there will be tight games but it gives us the opportunity to win them."

Saturday's home game is the reverse fixture from the opening day of the campaign, when an Athletic XI featuring Clarke and 10 other debutants, plus three more off the bench, lost 3-0 at The Den.

Athletic are far more equipped to deal with Neil Harris's side now, though, and could benefit from a midweek free of fixtures.

"There were so many players making debuts that day down at The Den.

"We have made strides since over the course of the season and we are a different outfit now than we were back then," Clarke added.

"There is plenty of belief and plenty of know-how within the group.

"We are going in the right direction but nothing happens overnight.

"We build a little at a time and hopefully, we can go into the game and get some more points.

SCHEDULE

"In the early part of the Swindon game, perhaps the schedule we have had recently just caught up with us a little.

"But I'm sure we will use this free week to get the right amount of rest and the right amount of work into the lads, to ensure we go into the Millwall game well prepared and ready to take the points."

FORMER Athletic manager Stephen Robinson has gone back to Motherwell as first-team coach.

The 42-year-old, who left Fir Park to take up his role as manager with Athletic last July, links up with boss Mark McGhee once again at the Scottish Premiership club who are currently 10th in the table.

"It's good to be back," Robinson said.

"I took the first training session (yesterday morning) and it was good to see everyone.

"There were a lot of familiar faces obviously and of the new boys that have come in they've impressed me as well, so it's great to be back involved in it again."