Hazell backs Latics for play-offs push

REUBEN HAZELL . . . helping hand for young team-mates.

REUBEN Hazell reckons this Athletic squad has the most potential of any he has played in.

The centre-back and captain played out his first Boundary Park season under John Sheridan in 2007-08, as the club ended up in eighth spot — two places outside the play-offs they had reached the previous year.

Narrowly past the halfway point in the season and having played against everyone bar MK Dons, Carlisle and tonight's opponents Walsall (7,45pm kick off), the 31-year-old says that a spirited young group can go two places better, ending the campaign in the top six of npower League One.

"I have got more confidence than I have had any other year," said Hazell, who won't be up against his injured best friend Darren Byfield at the Banks's Stadium tonight due to the striker being injured.

"It is quite a strange one as the first year I was here, we had a lot of experienced players but we tailed off towards the end. I don't know if that was due to age, or what exactly happened.

"It is a younger side and that has formed a better team spirit.

"Everyone gets on with everyone and hangs out with each other outside of football.

"I have got a feeling we can do something — but it is not just that. I look at the talent we have got and the management and staff.

"Fingers crossed in the second half of the season, we can pick up 35 points, if not more.

"Because I think in the first half of the campaign we have dropped a lot of points from winning positions. We are certainly going for it."

Hazell feels consistency is important and will tonight aim to help the team to three successive league victories for the second time this season.

To do so he may have to help out 18-year-old James Tarkowski, who is set to make his first start for the senior team at centre-back if Neal Trotman fails to recover from a hamstring strain.

"I have played with Carl Winchester at right-back and helped him and it one of the things that is part and parcel of the job," Hazell added.

"I am the elder statesman and have to help these young lads get through it."