Tope hails team spirit

TOPE OBADEYI . . . the forward has scored two goals since his arrival from Dundee United on deadline day

YOU would not know that Athletic are fighting a relegation battle from the mood inside the dressing room, according to winger-turned-striker Tope Obadeyi.

In his fourth spell working under John Sheridan, the speedy 27-year-old has become a regular fixture in the side and is hunting successive home goals against Fleetwood on Saturday, having netted in the gritty draw against Sheffield United.

Fleetwood were 3-1 winners at Oxford last night, bolstering their play-off challenge.

But Obadeyi, who could link up with ex-Cod Army man Aaron Amadi-Holloway this weekend if he proves his fitness, says that belief is strong among the players that Athletic can get a win that would bring safety for another year within touching distance.

"I am enjoying it here," said the deadline-day signing from Dundee United. "The team has been down there fighting, but it doesn't feel like that in the dressing room.

"The manager has come in and brought a new way of thinking into the dressing room and the boys who were here previously say we are playing with more confidence.

'RESULTS'

"The results have shown that and even the games we have lost, we should have taken something from.

"I have been playing up front and that's not a position I have played a lot, but the manager sees me as a striker and I have a couple of goals along the way.

"The objective is to stay in the division and hopefully, I can get another couple of goals along the way.

"It doesn't matter who we play. We got a result against Sheffield United, who are probably going to win the league.

"We have to concentrate on ourselves. We know if we turn up with the right mentality and attitude, then we can beat anyone.

"We have to get over the Southend loss and go in to Fleetwood with a fresh attitude. Hopefully, we can do the business."

Obadeyi's short-term deal runs out in the summer but if all goes to plan, he is open to the chance to stay on as Sheridan, previously his manager at Chesterfield and for two loan spells at Plymouth, rebuilds the squad.

"If things work out, why not? We will see how it goes," he said.

"The main objective is to stay in the league and once that has been achieved, who knows what can happen."

In last night's other game, Sheffield United saw off bottom-of-the-table Coventry 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

CONNOR Ripley's efforts for Athletic in goal this season have seen him recognised as the 44th best player in the EFL, according to a poll in Four Four Two magazine.

Brighton's Anthony Knockaert topped the list.