Ollie is banking on a play-off dream

OPTIMISTIC . . . Midfielder Ollie Banks in action against Girona

OLLIE Banks is backing Athletic to finish in the top six this season.

The elegant midfield man, who played an important role under John Sheridan in fighting off relegation last term, reckons the transfer business conducted since can help improve on the upturn in form that resurrected what had appeared a doomed campaign.

Banks (24) credits Sheridan's back-to-basics philosophy as being crucial to the upturn.

And with extra creativity on board in the shape of fellow ex-Chesterfield man Dan Gardner, plus the additional strike power of Craig Davies and Courtney Duffus, optimistic Banks has his eyes trained on the play-offs.

"For my first six months here, I was in for a game, out for two, in for two, out for four. You need a run of games to give you a chance and I probably didn't get that," Banks said.

"It means it's hard to put on performances that show what you can do.

"When the new gaffer came in, it gave everyone confidence to just do what they are good at. Both collectively and personally, we were stronger for it.

"We have since added to what we had last season and getting Rob Hunt back is a big thing for what he offers down that left side.

"With Dan Gardner, Craig Davies and Courtney Duffus in we feel like we have fire power now.

"It's all looking positive and I don't see why we can't improve on our form under the gaffer from last season. I could be proven wrong, but I can't see why we can't go and make the play-offs."

Tommy Wright's input is helping refine his game, Banks admitted, while also stating he has no fears over the potential of a desired extra midfielder coming in before the campaign kicks off against Oxford on Saturday.

"The gaffer likes to keep it simple and to let everyone get on with it," he added.

"Tommy is a bit more hands-on and certainly tries to help me a lot, which is good. I don't look at criticism in a bad way. He says what he thinks and what he believes can make me a better player, so I'm happy with it.

"I don't see players brought in as a threat, as such. The gaffer is just trying to make the team better. If he feels that somebody else is better for the team than I am at that point, I have to do my best to prove otherwise to stay in."

Oxford rounded off their pre-season programme with a 2-0 loss at Leeds - the fifth straight game against second-tier opponents - and despite losing key figures from the side that finished eighth last term, Banks is confident yet slightly wary of the side that Pep Clotet will put out at SportsDirect.com Park, as Athletic bid to get off to a flying start.

"They have lost some key players in Chey Dunkley, John Lundstram and Chris Maguire," he said. "They obviously lost their manager as well, so I don't think they will be as strong as they have been over the past couple of years. But you shouldn't assume anything in football.

"They are a good club and still have some very good players, so we have to expect they will be up there fighting. We have to be ready for them."