Happy hunting ground

Photo: Alan Howarth

John Sheridan

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan is looking to continue a superb personal record at Southend, in order to lift Athletic further towards safety.

In previous management spells with Athletic (twice), Plymouth and Chesterfield, Sheridan has overseen five wins in his last seven visits to Roots Hall.

The last of those featured a Curtis Main strike a year ago.

Even though the Shrimpers, in sixth place in Sky Bet League One, are high on confidence after three straight wins, Sheridan argues that Athletic's own run of one defeat in 10 shouldn't be underestimated.

And the form table over the last 10 games shows that both Southend and Athletic have picked up seventeen points, with only four clubs in the division able to better that tally.

"Southend are a good team and Phil Brown is a good manager," Sheridan said.

"But we look at the teams in form and we are one of them. That's the way I look at it.

"Browny knows me and I know him well and I have a good record at Southend, too."

Athletic's never-say-die attitude has been praised by Sheridan, after his side showed plenty of spirit as well as attacking intent in the home draw with leaders Sheffield United last week.

Resilience throughout the side will again be key at Roots Hall on Saturday, when Sheridan welcomes back Ryan McLaughlin and Aiden O'Neill from international duty and hopes to have Rob Hunt and Aaron Amadi-Holloway available again after hamstring injuries.

"It is all down to the players," said Sheridan, who has this week monitored Brian Wilson after he suffered an Achilles problem against the Blades.

"There was a block right at the end from Anthony Gerrard when their lad (Caolan Lavery) got injured.

"We do defend well and right up to the strikers, the players work their socks off. Paul Green again works so hard and we do have that ethic as a team.

"But we were good going forward as well against Sheffield United. We were lively.

"Consistency is the big thing and the players have that desire to go out and win every game we play in.

"Sheffield United scored straight after half-time and though it was a downer to concede, we responded really well.

"It was a difficult game for us, but we came out of it well."

ATHLETIC'S home game with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, April 15 (12.30pm kick-off), has been made an all-ticket fixture.
Home fans will be housed in the Chaddy End, with Bolton supporters in the Jimmy Frizzell Stand.

Tickets will be on sale until 6pm on Thursday, April 13. None will be available on the day of the game.

MORE than 1,000 season tickets for 2017-18 have been sold so far by Athletic.

The 'early bird' deal, with season tickets costing £300 for adults, ends on Saturday at 3pm, after which prices will increase.