Colbeck show delights boss

WING COMMANDER. . . Joe Colbeck turns on the style against Brighton.

ATHLETIC boss Dave Penney has praised the industry of energetic winger Joe Colbeck at Brighton.

The former Bradford City man linked up well with right full-back Kelvin Lomax and wide-running forward Keigan Parker in the 2-0 shut-out.

He did not create a goalscoring opportunity, but Colbeck used the space he was afforded to provide a useful attacking outlet on several occasions and, on being substituted in injury time, his efforts were recognised by the travelling band of 133 Athletic supporters who had made the long journey to the south coast.

But though Penney felt the 22-year-old hit a new high mark in Athletic colours, he is also keen to see the Yorkshireman's delivery from wide positions improve in order to provide more ammunition for the front men.

“It was probably Joe’s best game for us," said Penney, who worked with Colbeck when the player went on loan to Darlington from Bradford in the 2007-08 season.

"I thought he did well at Charlton, but that was on the opposite wing.

“We felt we could get at them (at Brighton) as it wasn’t a natural left-back who was there (Adam El-Abd) and they had no natural wide left player in the midfield.

“So they were a little bit tight and we made a point of trying to get it out and over the full-back to cause them problems.

“Joe was excellent, but we need to take more care in the final third. In the first half we had 10 crosses, but with no real end product.

“It is important we pick the right ball out and give the strikers a chance to score.”

As a former player with Bradford, Colbeck is one of a number of players who will be keen to impress in Sunday's big game against the Bantams’ neighbours, Huddersfield Town.

Pawel Abbott scored 47 goals in 130 matches for Town after signing from Preston in 2004, Pontefract-born defender Andy Holdsworth progressed from being a trainee to turn out 244 times for the club before switching to Athletic in the summer, while striker Keigan Parker's unhappy brief spell at the Galpharm Stadium comprised 23 matches, producing two goals.

One man who will be desperately aggrieved to miss out on Sunday’s game is Jon Worthington.

The former Huddersfield captain is out until next year with damaged ankle ligaments and will have to wait until the sides meet in the reverse fixture on Tuesday, April 6, to take on his former team-mates.

“It is disappointing that Jon Worthington is not going to be available for the game," Penney said.

"I am sure he was looking forward to that, along with Keigan (Parker), Andy Holdsworth who is getting fit for it and Pav (Pawel Abbott), especially.

“We have got to make sure the players play with their heads as well as their hearts in the local derbies.

“I know there is a lot of passion and tackles will fly in, but it is important the players keep their heads.

"We are fully aware of what kind of game it is going to be.

“We are not a million miles from each other on the M62, so it is a game I am sure Huddersfield are looking forward to, as we and our supporters are.

"It is important that we put on a good show."