Aiden's a lucky charm

ON TARGET . . . Aiden O'Neill

AIDEN O'Neill has had to learn quickly in an Athletic shirt, but the midfielder appears to be something of a lucky charm.

The on-loan Burnley midfielder has only been on the losing side once since starting work with John Sheridan - and that was a late, late defeat at MK Dons.

Barrowford-based O'Neill (18) feels he is getting to grips with the change of pace and the importance of results over performances in Sky Bet League One.

"I've tried to just get my head down and hit the ground running," said the young Australian, who has made three Premier League appearances as a substitute for the Clarets this season.

"I wasn't really playing many games at all - three or four in six months.

"So to come in and play five in the space of three weeks is a big change. But I'm getting used to it and my legs are coping. It's a good start.

"Under-21s football is completely different. A first-team game is all about three points - it doesn't matter how you play, as long as you get that win then it's a good day's work.

"In the 21s, it's about progression. It's not focused on winning at all but performance. That's the big difference."

Ahead of tomorrow's home game with Millwall, as he bids to help Athletic reach a points tally that will steer the club clear of the bottom-four, O'Neill said that he feels Sheridan has enhanced his game.

"The boys aren't thinking about relegation really," he added. "We are just trying to win games.

"At the back of our minds everyone has a tally of points we are trying to get to and we have to take every game as it comes to get there.

"At MK Dons we were pretty unlucky as they scored in the 96th minute. Apart from that, the results have been quite good.

"We need to start keeping the ball better and the gaffer has pointed that out. That will come I am sure in the next few games.

"The gaffer is very supportive of the players and makes sure we are free out there on the pitch to try things and to get the three points as well.

"When I came in, he told me he would try to improve me as a player. I think he's definitely doing that.

"Even back when I arrived, the changing room was lively. Nobody is thinking about getting relegated and everyone believes the club should not be where it is at right now.

"We are just trying to get up to where we should be. Millwall are doing well, but we have been doing as well. It will be a tough game I am sure, but we will be fine."

While O'Neill should start again against the Lions, Anthony Gerrard will be missing as he serves the second of his two-match ban.

Sheridan has George Edmundson available after he shook off a foot injury and while Cameron Dummigan (hamstring) is back running again in training, Charles Dunne (pelvis) is not yet at that stage.

Athletic (probable, 4-2-3-1): Ripley; Law, Clarke, Wilson, Hunt; Fane, Green; McLaughlin, O'Neill, Taylor; Amadi-Holloway.

Tomorrow's fixtures in Sky Bet League One - AFC Wimbledon v Walsall; Bristol Rovers v Scunthorpe; Charlton v Bury; Chesterfield v Oxford; Coventry v Swindon; Fleetwood v Northampton; Gillingham v Southend; MK Dons v Shrewsbury; ATHLETIC v Millwall; Peterborough v Rochdale; Port Vale v Bradford; Sheffield United v Bolton.