Latics expecting three-point boost

EYEING A VICTORY FILLIP . . . Athletic manager John Sheridan

A THREE-POINT pick-me-up is the order of the day when Athletic travel to Walsall tomorrow.

Chris Taylor got the only goal of the game the last time an Athletic side won at the Banks's Stadium in the league six years ago, though there was a Checkatrade Trophy victory last term when Stephen Robinson was manager.

Sheridan expects to rub up against a side who are technically adept, despite having also lost back-to-back opening matches in 2017-18.

"They are a good footballing side with players who are technically good," Sheridan said..

"Walsall's manager Jon Whitney does a good job and brings one or two young players through.

IMPROVED

"We improved against Burton from the Oxford game. We were better and I said what I had to in the dressing room.

"Hopefully, the players will take it on board and then we go into Walsall expecting to go and win the game. That's what we have to do. I will try to pick the right team that will hopefully get us three points. I am not going to beat myself up because we have lost two games and I know it's very early in the season.

"But they were two home games and I expected us to get something from both of them.

"It hurts me when I lose. I don't like it at all. It's getting that feeling into the players' heads."

Athletic's last away victory was at Northampton back in February, when a Lee Erwin goal in added time earned a 2-1 triumph - a game that preceded a 2-0 loss at Walsall in which Lee Croft and Brian Wilson were both sent off.

Sheridan, who made two changes to his starting line-up after the opening-day defeat to Oxford for the Burton cup tie, admits he is still trying to find the best formula for success among the players available to him.

"I have one or two players I think could play and I threw one or two in against Burton," he said.

"I don't want to keep changing my team and I want to try to get a settled side. I was very disappointed to lose in the cup, but the league programme is the priority and I want to know my side and formation and who will help us to start winning games."