Bring on Bolton

Photo: Alan Howarth

EMOTIONS run high among the fans after Athletic double their lead

A SUPERB team performance in the 2-0 victory against Fleetwood has led to Athletic boss John Sheridan warning Bolton that they could be in for a 'hard time' at SportsDirect.com Park this weekend.

The Trotters could seal automatic promotion back to the Championship on Saturday, but Athletic showed again that they will be far from a pushover after they boosted their own survival mission hugely by deservedly seeing off the Cod Army.

PROMOTION

A barnstorming Lancashire derby in front of a packed crowd is in store, and Athletic are indeed in good nick after they dented Fleetwood's own automatic promotion hopes thanks to a Nathan Pond own-goal and Lee Erwin's wonder strike.

Sheridan said: "I won't pick out individuals - it was a really good seven-and-a-half to eight out of 10 team performance against Fleetwood, and that's what you need.

"You need all the team knitting together, and that's what we got.

"If you do get that consistently in this league, you will get out of trouble.

"We worked their defence as much as anyone has this season, too.

"I knew it would be a difficult game, but I'm just pleased with the way we went about our game.

"We looked nice and solid, and anyone who comes to play us at the moment will know they're in for a hard time.

"I can't wait for Saturday. It'll be a great atmosphere, Bolton are bringing loads of fans.

'TOUGH ONE'

"To be honest I hope Bolton go up being an ex-team of mine, but I just hope it's after we've beat them. It's a tough one, and it will test us.

"But we can see where we are again."

Athletic are now up to 17th place, though there is still only three points - and a much healthier goal difference - between them and Port Vale in the final relegation spot.

While Erwin led the line superbly against Fleetwood and bagged his fifth goal in seven outing in some style, Sheridan was also delighted to see the return from a hamstring injury of fellow front-man Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who also impressed hugely.

"To be fair I was going to bring him off at some stage. He only trained one day last week so we have got to look after him.

"He's been out for a couple of weeks, so I didn't want that tiredness to creep in."