Boss Sheridan challenges Taylor to become Latics' creative spark

CHRIS TAYLOR

CHRIS Taylor looks set to play a major role in Athletic's continuing Sky Bet League One survival battle.

John Sheridan's men are certainly giving everything to the cause.

Since the popular boss returned to a club which looked doomed two months ago, seven wins have been gleaned from 14 games and Athletic currently sit five points clear of the drop zone, though fourth-bottom Port Vale do have three games in hand.

Taylor was particularly impressive during the latest victory, against Oxford on Tuesday.

The effort and endeavour shown by the local lad has drawn a response as Sheridan has been preparing his squad for tomorrow's trip to stuttering Peterborough.

"Chris is an intelligent player," said Sheridan.

"I think he should be giving us more.

"He is a good player and I have always liked him - he knows that.

"He is that player who can see things that other players can't.

'QUALITY'

"He has that quality on the ball and we need him to be creating opportunities for us."

Despite that apparent cushion over Port Vale, Sheridan is still loathed to disclose his closing points target - in fact that's if the boss has set one at all.

Quizzed about what may still be required - points-wise - from the remaining eight games, Sheridan said: "I honestly don't know. We all know what we might need, but it's not worth me saying it as you just don't know who is going to win and where.

"You can go out and put in a good performance and get a draw. But somewhere else, someone might score a last-minute winner to get three points."

Meanwhile, former boss and Athletic club legend Joe Royle has had his say on the terrific job Sheridan has done in reviving the team's fortunes since returning - again - as Stephen Robinson's replacement on January 12.

Royle said: "I'm delighted with what's happening there.

"I know they had a setback against Walsall, but at one stage it looked like they were down and out and with John Sheridan coming back he certainly seems to have a formula that works for Oldham Athletic.

'CHANCE'

"It was looking pretty gruesome at one stage, it was looking like relegation was a certainty, but he's at least got them back in with a chance.

"He's a good guy, a good operator and I sincerely hope he can keep them through until the end of the season.

"This is his third time there, so John knows the score, he knows Oldham Athletic and he's obviously got the formula in the past which has kept them up so let's just hope it keeps working."

Athletic (from): Ripley, Kettings, Wilson, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt, Law, McLaughlin, Green, Banks, Taylor, Fane, Obadeyi, Amari-Holloway, Erwin, O'Neill, Flynn, Ngoo, Osei, Reckord.

Tomorrow's fixtures in Sky Bet League One -

Bolton v Northampton; Bradford v Swindon; Bristol Rovers v Chesterfield; Fleetwood v AFC Wimbledon; Millwall v Bury; MK Dons v Coventry; Oxford v Scunthorpe; Peterborough v ATHLETIC; Rochdale v Gillingham; Sheff Utd v Charlton; Southend v Walsall.