New regime a breath of fresh air for Gregan

SEAN GREGAN

NOBODY who watched Sean Gregan last season could begrudge him his raft of player-of-the-season trophies.

A highly frustrating campaign saw Athletic perform below the level expected, stumbling to a 16th-place finish in League One.

There were few smiles around — on the pitch, in the dug-out or in the stand — and manager Dave Penney paid the price for the poor season shortly before the final game of the campaign at home to Charlton.

And though the likes of Dale Stephens, Reuben Hazell and Kieran Lee can hold their heads up high as a result of their efforts, centre-back Gregan stood out amid the gloom.

He was a colossal and highly consistent figure in every game the club played, not missing a single minute of the whole season.

Despite his personal success, Gregan simply wants to forget that the 2009-10 season ever happened at all — preferring, instead, to focus on the air of optimism created by Paul Dickov.

“The new manager brings a freshness and new ideas with him,” said Gregan (36), who has made 75 consecutive appearances for Athletic over the past two seasons.

“For players not given a chance last year, it is a clean slate.

“The training is different and we have the new fitness coach (Paul Butler), who is very busy. He knows his stuff.

“You can see it with the work they have been doing. We looked good against Wigan and, hopefully, we can build on that and start the season well.

“Dave (Penney) didn’t get along with the fans last year and with a new man in they have responded.

“They can see that players are putting in a shift and really trying. And as I have said all through my career, if you can do that — whether you are playing well or badly — then supporters will back you.

“Last season was one to forget. It was important we stayed up, as it looked touch-and-go for a long time.

“A lot of players went away over the summer and had a good look at themselves. They have come back, there is a new manager and everyone has been given a new lease of life.”

Gregan has missed the first friendlies in pre-season as a result of an ankle injury he picked up while doing extra work before the players were officially brought back from post-season holidays.

In that time, Dickov successfully converted and then signed trialist Jason Jarrett as a centre-back to work alongside Hazell.

Age hasn’t diminished Gregan’s competitive edge, though, and he isn’t keen on giving up his place in the side.

“I have played over 700 first-team games now in my career and injuries can take their toll,” he added.

“But as long as I am fit then I will do my best. And if other people make decisions on me, then we will see what happens.”