’Keeper gets his message across

STANDING TALL . . . Ben Amos said it was a “no-brainer” when Athletic expressed an interest in signing him.

IT’S good to talk, says new Athletic goalkeeper Ben Amos.

The player is aiming for a second clean sheet in a row against Southampton tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The on-loan Manchester United man quickly established lines of communication with his defenders on debut and was only forced into one tricky save all game in the 2-0 win over Swindon.

A similar night’s work wouldn’t go amiss as Paul Dickov’s side chase down a spot in the play-off positions once again.

“I think I am a good organiser and communicator and that isn’t really a strength that many people acknowledge,” said Amos (20), who has played two first-team games for the Premier League giants this season, including a home Champions League tie against Valencia at Old Trafford.

“I had to get the important things nailed down in terms of my relationships with the players — telling them how I play and running things by them so that everyone knows what they are doing.

“I think that it is vital to have a relationship with your back four and a tactical knowledge.

“I am looking to grow all the aspects of my game while I am here. I think I am a decent shot-stopper, quite tidy and a bit of an all-rounder.

“I have been looking to get out on loan for quite a while. So when the opportunity to go to Oldham came around and they expressed interest in me going there it was a bit of a no-brainer, really.”

Getting together some consistency shouldn’t be a problem for Amos given the thick schedule of matches Athletic have to cope with.

Dickov’s side have only two blank Tuesday nights between now and the start of March as a result of the backlog of postponed games late last year, starting with tonight’s test against Saints.

“Playing on Saturday, Tuesday every week is something I have not experienced before,” added Amos, who now has a grand total of five senior appearances in English football to his name, added to nine in Norway on loan at Molde.

“For my age, I haven’t played in many professional games.

“Also, to play regularly is great and now the focus shifts from training to matches.

“It will be a tough game (against Southampton). They are up there and they are on a run after winning at the weekend, but the lads are confident.”