Positive outlook

GYAMFI KYEREMEH . . . showed a willing attitude

PRAISE for his new boys was mixed with regret at drawing a blank at home, but Athletic manager John Sheridan is determined to move on forward to get the first points on the board.

Dan Gardner produced a starring display on his first showing after serving a three-match ban and new Belgian winger Gyamfi Kyeremeh was bright during the 2-0 home loss to Wigan.

Two early goals - both poor from a defensive standpoint, Sheridan argued - condemned Athletic to a fourth straight loss in 2017-18. That's a sequence that matches the club record also reached in 1960-61, 1979-80, 1996-97 and 1999-2000.

Sheridan stayed upbeat, though, and took the positives he could from a loss to a side he believes will go on to lift the Sky Bet League One title.

"Dan Gardner, for his first game, was excellent. You can see what he has got in his game," said Sheridan, whose side are now joint-bottom of the table.

"Gyamfi did okay and it's new to him. It was tough with the tempo of the game, but you can see he is a willing little player who works his socks off for the side. It won't do him any harm, first game, playing against such a good side.

"He came through it well. He was a bit tired at the end and I was always going to take him off, but he has a go and his ability on the ball is most important for me - I don't want him running back and tracking as much as he does.

"I would like him to be more effective up the other end of the pitch, but that will come with games."

Tope Obadeyi picked up a hamstring strain in training on Friday and Craig Davies, named as a substitute against his former club, tweaked a hamstring in the pre-match warm-up. Ryan Flynn and Paul Green (both Achilles) didn't make it either.

Whether or not he can get in new players by the time Athletic visit Blackpool on Saturday, Sheridan will work hard with the squad at his disposal to achieve improved results.

"The performance was better, but again we haven't scored, have we?" he added.

"We are missing one or two players and we are short. Somehow, in some way, I have to try and improve us and get us stronger for the next game.

"We stick together and we fight and hopefully, that result we are after is around the corner."