Hazell happy to develop mean streak

Reuben Hazell

REUBEN HAZELL insists Athletic's defensive mean streak is no accident.

An impressive return of four clean sheets in the last five matches has helped Athletic to climb the League One table.

And the central defender says hard work in training and the determination to cut out errors have been vital to the cause.

He said: "We have worked hard and we are starting to bear the fruits.

"There was a time when we were having different full-backs every week, but now we have a solid back four.

MAJORITY

"We know who is playing for the majority of games and things have started to gel.

"For any successful team you need a strong base - it is the starting point on which to build.

"The gaffer stresses the importance of keeping our shape and not conceding goals and it was frustrating at the start of the season when it was not working."

Despite a rocky start to the season, Hazell never doubted he and Sean Gregan would re-establish their dominant central-defensive partnership of two years’ standing.

"We complement each other. He likes to win and attack everything in the air, and I can sweep up around him.

"We had a blip at the end of last season and the start of this one when the understanding was not as good as it has been, but having different full-backs every week did not help."

Another player who has contributed to Athletic’s defensive improvement is midfielder Jon Worthington, who operated just in front of the back four at Charlton on Saturday.

Worthington contained danger man Jonjo Shelvey, easing the pressure on the back four.

Said Hazell: "That is where he earned his corn. Jon made a couple of last-ditch tackles when Shaun and I were out of position.”

Hazell is delighted with the way in which Athletic have leapt from the relegation places to the fringe of the play-offs.

"Since we were unfortunate to lose in the last minute at Bristol Rovers, we have kicked on,” he said.

"The momentum is there, having won three and drawn two of the last five matches.

“And if we can get a home win against Southampton on Saturday and keep picking up points that would be great."

Hazell said Athletic’s unbeaten run had reinforced the confidence and self belief of the players following a shaky start to the season.

He said: "I think we had confidence and belief even when we weren't getting positive results because we knew we had the right personnel, but once you start winning you start to believe even more.

"We have a good set of lads who are all pulling in the same direction and we have a good management team.

“We are all sticking to our guns and are quietly confident we can do well this season.

"If we keep playing as we are, and working hard on and off the pitch, I think it will pay off.

“As the saying goes, you only get out of life what you put into it."