Points tally defies belief

JOHN SHERIDAN . . . six wins since return

MIRACLE man John Sheridan is playing down his incredible impact on results as Athletic's manager.

The 2-1 victory at Northampton this week gave the club another lift in the battle to avoid relegation from Sky Bet League One, while further boosting statistics that defy belief for a boss whose has twice come in with the club on its knees.

Last term, Athletic were five points adrift in the relegation zone when Sheridan came back to the club to succeed David Dunn, but ended the season 17th with a superb run including nine wins.

This season, returning after an unsuccessful stint at Notts County to take over from Stephen Robinson, Sheridan has hauled the club off the foot of the table to a current station outside the drop zone thanks to six wins - double the number achieved all term before he came in.

EXPERIENCE

When it really matters, experienced boss Sheridan has consistently been able to pull results out of the bag.

In the 31 games under his charge that have really mattered across the last two campaigns - not including the final two fixtures against Millwall and Coventry in 2015-16, when safety was already secured ­- Athletic have amassed 53 points.

Taking that record across 46 matches, that average would give the club 79 points, which has been enough to claim a play-off spot in nine of the past 10 seasons.

Without Sheridan, Athletic's record over the past two seasons has been a terrible 40 points from 50 games.

Over a full campaign, that ratio would only yield a measly 37 points, meaning certain relegation to League Two.

But even in the light of the weight of statistics, Sheridan is not one to blow his own trumpet and has his mind on one thing only - ensuring Athletic do not drop down to League Two.

"It is not for me to comment on," said the manager, when asked about the terrific form under his charge.

"I am just here as a manager to do my job. I have said it many times and I said it last season - I have a lot of fondness for the club.

"I just want us to stay in the division. It is very important and I have a great relationship with the chairman (Simon Corney).

"He knows that he has got a manager who will do everything he can to keep the club up."

Athletic are next in action at Walsall on Saturday, and among the selection issues Sheridan will ponder is whether to restore Chris Taylor to the starting line-up after he was rested at Sixfields.

"I wanted to give Ryan Flynn a game," Sheridan said.

"Chris has played a lot of football after coming in and sometimes it's difficult. Young Aiden O'Neill tired in the second half.

"Some people who haven't been playing much have come in and are suddenly playing every few days. It can takes its toll and a rest will do Chris good."