Latics in good place

PETER CLARKE . . . "we've got players who know each other's games."

ATHLETIC are in a far better position right now compared to a year ago, says skipper Peter Clarke.

Twelve months ago, the club were scrambling around to get in a new manager. Stephen Robinson was later installed and had the unenviable task of scraping together a squad, with only five senior contracted players back in for the first day of pre-season training.

This time around, Clarke is one of 17 professionals currently under contract for 2017-18.

Craig Davies is the latest arrival and in surveying the scene, Clarke believes that boss John Sheridan is in a good position to get the club off to a positive start to the campaign.

"You look at the players under contract and it's certainly a different scenario from 12 months ago," Clarke said.

"It leaves us in a better position. We have got players who know each other's games, which can only be beneficial. Add to that a few more additions and we should then have the makings of a very competitive squad that can hopefully get off to a decent start."

Clarke boasts a proud record of 63 consecutive starts in Sky Bet League One, stretching back to his Bury days in 2015-16.

Named as the player of the year at both Gigg Lane and then Athletic, Clarke has not missed a single minute in those games, playing more than 94 hours without a break.

That is testament to the condition and professionalism of the 35-year-old, who along with his team-mates takes back to the training field tomorrow.

"Pre-season is a necessary evil," said Clarke. "I am not sure there are many players who would say they enjoy pre-season as it is always tough.

"But it's a hugely important part of the process of being ready for the start of the season and it's something we take on, head-on.

"The early part is usually the toughest. Once the games start coming around, you edge closer to that first game and after a week of training you start to feel the benefit of the work you have been doing.

"For me, it's very important and it's about getting everyone through it."

Having identified the chosen candidate, Athletic are expected to name the new assistant to Sheridan soon. Previous assistant Ian Baraclough was appointed as manager of Northern Ireland's under-21s back in April and left the club at the end of the season.