Positive approach

JOHN SHERIDAN . . . the Athletic boss is busy preparing for this weekend's vital home clash against Fleetwood

JOHN Sheridan will preach a positive message to his players this week, as another crucial night of action lies in store near the foot of Sky Bet League One tonight.

Athletic will move up a place to 18th without kicking a ball if Port Vale lose at Rochdale and Shrewsbury fail to beat Millwall at home.

Alternately, a victory for the Shrews coupled with a Vale success would leave Athletic perched only one place outside the drop zone, ahead of Gillingham on goal difference only.

Also tonight, Charlton will also be hoping to use their game in hand to its fullest effect to pull away from the danger zone when they host MK Dons.

While no doubt keeping a close watch on the picture as it develops, Sheridan's main focus is on getting his men ready for the visit of Fleetwood on Saturday.

The manager hopes his side will be able to work the goalkeeper more often than they did in the Southend loss - only four of the 13 shots at Roots Hall were on target - in order to get three points against the Cod Army ahead of the following week's similarly difficult game at home to Bolton.

"Scoring goals is a massive problem," said Sheridan, reflecting on the 3-0 loss at Southend which was only the team's second in 11 outings.

'WORKED'

"We were in good areas and good positions, but we just never worked their goalkeeper enough.

"I shout from the sidelines and people turn around to look at you as if you're talking through your backside.

"You have to hit the target. We were excellent in the first half - it's probably the best we have played - against a really good team who are in form.

"I am not going to be too hard on the players, but they need to take a good look at themselves as you can't be conceding three goals against 10 men.

"Teams are winning around us. All I can do is move on.

"I have got to now be positive, pick up the players and get them ready for Fleetwood.

"They are all tough games. Teams at the bottom have started winning, like Swindon and Port Vale. Anyone can beat anyone, but we have to concentrate on ourselves and bounce back.

"We have two tough games, but we have got to go and try to win both of them."

Dale, who need to win tonight to retain hope of getting a play-off place, have reduced entry on the turnstiles to £1 for their game with Port Vale (7.45pm kick-off).

Shrewsbury play out their game in hand at home to a Millwall side who are currently in seventh. The Shrews, in the last relegation spot two points behind Athletic, have lost three in a row and are without a victory in their last five outings.