Shez reiterates survival belief

IN GOOD NICK: Oxford's John Lundstram (left)

HAVE no fear: That's the message being drilled into Athletic's players as a run of games against sides at the top kicks off with away-day specialists Oxford United tonight.

Michael Appleton's men arrive at SportsDirect.com Park as as club pushing on towards a Sky Bet League One play-off place.

The U's are 10th and six points away from that destination, with games in hand on most sides above.

What's more, they have won all but one of their last SEVEN games away from the Kassam Stadium - scoring 18 goals in that period. The only defeat in that sequence was a 3-2 FA Cup loss at Middlesbrough.

Athletic manager John Sheridan says he isn't bothered one bit by a fixtures list that dictates his side face eight matches in a row against clubs in the top half of the table.

Every team is beatable, Sheridan argues. And he has statistics at hand to back up his claim that few will fancy facing an Athletic side themselves in top-half form.

"This league is very evenly matched," Sheridan said. "You have got Sheffield United, who pay that extra money, and Bolton who have got a little bit of quality.

"Fleetwood are proving that you can be up there without having to spend fortunes. It is just about having that consistency in your game and if you have players playing with confidence then you always have a chance.

"If we are on our game, we can beat any team in the league. Oxford are having a decent season and are at Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy final.

"They still have a chance of the play-offs. But I think they will come expecting a tough game and hopefully, we will give them one.

"We have 14 points from seven home games which is not bad considering where we are. Two points a game is automatic promotion if you can do it throughout the season."

Oxford start tonight's clash as the bookies' favourites to win, but there is no lack of confidence from Sheridan that his side have got what it takes to get away from the bottom-four.

"I think we will stay up - as simple as that," Sheridan added. "That's the way I think and I can see it's what the players think.It will be tough and there are some good sides at the bottom. But I'm not bothered about anyone else. I feel we are good enough to stay up."