New blood key to lifting Latics, says Wellens

RICHIE Wellens in action at last night's charity match in aid of Prostate Cancer UK and Once Upon a Smile

BRINGING in the right new faces boasting a positive approach will be the deciding factor in Athletic progressing up the league table next season.

That is the view of former star Richie Wellens, who played under John Sheridan the last time the club reached the play-offs a decade ago.

Despite the good form of late - particularly at home, where Athletic have lost only once in 2017 - the recently retired midfielder reckons that the current group of players won't be good enough to sustain a challenge next term.

Sheridan's task this summer, he believes, is to add to the squad those who will be able to play in a more attractive, open style, while adopting a winning mindset.

"The key is the recruitment," said Wellens, who played for an Athletic 'Legends' side in a charity game at SportsDirect.com Park last night. See tomorrow's Chronicle for details.

"Will this same group of players push towards the play-offs? Personally, I don't think so.

"The form has been top six, but it's a totally different mindset working hard to get a clean sheet and get a goal from a set-piece, compared to teams like Sheffield United or Bolton who will go out expecting to dominate possession and win games every week.

"It changes the dynamics in the team. John Sheridan wants his teams to play good football and to win games in the right way.

"The challenge is to find those players who can play that way."

Wellens, who completed his UEFA 'A' Licence coaching qualification this week, is hoping to bring his extensive experience in the game to bear by getting a job working within a top-tier academy soon.

The 37-year-old, who also starred at Blackpool and Leicester in an 18-year professional career, played briefly for Salford City and Macclesfield this season before hanging up his boots.

ASSESSING

He ultimately wants to become a manager and in assessing the huge success of Sheridan in that role in successive seasons at SportsDirect.com Park, Wellens believes that old-fashioned values of honesty, simplicity and man-management have worked wonders.

"The first time he came back to the club last season, it was a very difficult job that he had and you could say that he worked a miracle then," said Wellens, who has attended numerous games this season including the draw with Rochdale last week.

"The second time around, you almost expected it - which is testament to what he did before.

"There will have been disappointment to lose him to Notts County, but he is just a really good fit with Oldham.

"He is very approachable and a very good man-manager who keeps things simple.

"It's different if you are working with top players. Some modern managers will feed a lot of information to players and at that level they can take it on board and not over-think things on the pitch.

"With League One players, sometimes you are better off just letting players do what they are good at.

"I played under him a long time ago, but back then what I liked was that he was always honest. You could have a chat with him and a bit of banter, but then he knew when to be serious as well."