Latics on the up — Trotman

NEAL TROTMAN . . . happy to be here.

NEW centre-back Neal Trotman reckons Athletic can ‘do a Scunthorpe’ this season.

In sixth place and occupying a play-off spot in npower League One after drawing at Rochdale, loan star Trotman sees no reason why Paul Dickov’s side cannot continue to be a threat at the top end of the division.

Trotman joined up with the Boundary Park outfit for the second time in his career last week.

And though he didn’t get on the field at Spotland, the 23-year-old from Levenshulme saw enough potential from the sidelines to suggest that Athletic can ape the Iron’s achievements in the 2008-09 season and gain promotion despite a budget far inferior to that of more glamorous rivals.

“I knew by looking at the table that I was coming to a really strong, ambitious side,” said Trotman, who played only 18 league games for Athletic before being snapped up by current employers Preston almost three years ago for a fee of £500,000.

“I think that if you look at a team like Scunthorpe, they managed to achieve promotion to the Championship on a tight budget so that shows it is a realistic target to aim for.

“It is possible and the table shows what a massive chance there is, even with the bigger teams in the division.”

Trotman has been consistently out of favour at Deepdale since his move and has made only three appearances in total.

Last season he helped out on loan at Southampton and then Huddersfield Town, seeing off Athletic once with each side.

And he reckons the Terriers are in with a big shout of promotion this time around.

“I still speak to people at Huddersfield and they told me just how well Oldham played to beat them,” he added.

“I am sure they will be up there, too, at the end of the season as they have some great players and a great manager.”

As for the move back to Boundary Park, Trotman didn’t have to ponder too much before deciding to make a return to the club.

“I feel settled here and it helped that I already knew a few of the lads,” he said.

“I am just here to play football and when my opportunity comes I will give it my all.

“I felt I had a chance at Preston this season, but it didn’t work out there.

“I know Oldham, some of the players and I know the manager.

"It also helps that my girlfriend is from Oldham and my family is nearby in Manchester."



THE kick-off time for the derby against Rochdale on Monday, January 3, at Boundary Park is under review.
The game was set to start at 3pm, but that could now change as a result of discussions with the police, local authority and fire service.