Everyone a winner

PAUL GREEN . . . the experienced midfielder says Athletic are playing with confidence.

MIDFIELD dynamo Paul Green feels that such has been the impact made by manager John Sheridan since his latest return to Athletic two months ago, the players now feel they are capable of winning EVERY Sky Bet League One game they play.

Prospects didn't look healthy when Sheridan dropped back in at SportsDirect.com Park on January 12 after Stephen Robinson was shown the door, but what a turnaround since.

Green (33) has played a major role in a run which has yielded seven wins and three draws from 14 matches since 'Shez' came back.

Former Derby, Leeds and Rotherham schemer Green said: "He (Sheridan) has installed that belief again. Sometimes, it's all the players need.

"We have brought in some loan players who have been good additions, but as a team we have that confidence now.

"It was tough for Robbo when he first came in, having to get a new squad. We could have taken wins from games we drew and it might have been a different story.

"But sometimes it's beneficial for certain players to have a fresh face. And he has brought in his own players as well.

"You can see now we are getting those wins.

"Games in this division are winnable. The best team we have come across are probably Bradford, taking in the games here and at their place.

"At Sheffield United it was tough, but we still could have taken something and while Bolton are a strong team, they have lost a talented player in Zach Clough since we last played them.

"With the mentality in that changing room at the moment, we feel we can win every one."

Athletic's attack-minded players looked a constant threat during Tuesday's 2-1 win against Oxford, when Lee Erwin bagged twice.

"He (Sheridan) said to the strikers, stay up top to score goals - don't be running the channels," revealed Green.

"Make sure you're in the box to score as you will win us games.

"The rest of us have to provide for the strikers. That's what the manager has done and having Aaron Amadi-Holloway up there makes a massive difference, enabling us to get onto second balls in their half.

"It is showing in that we are creating some good chances."

As for the manager himself, he obviously rates Green very highly. The Sheffield-born enforcer will more than likely be tasked to keep Peterborough in check again tomorrow down at London Road.

Sheridan said: "Paul is a good player. He's played over 500 games in his career but goes un-noticed.

"Every time I've played him, he's been terrific. He's got good experience and great energy and has a dogged determination about him, getting around the pitch."