Reid fired up for promotion push

NET RETURN . . . Reuben Reid is already among the goals for Athletic.

REUBEN Reid has set his sights on firing Athletic to promotion glory this season.

The jet-heeled 22-year-old opened his account with an injury-time strike in the 4-0 midweek victory over Hartlepool United.

Reid, who joined the club from West Bromwich Albion on a deal until the end of the campaign, has already been taken aback by the team spirit in the Boundary Park dressing room and believes the play-offs are a genuine target come May.

And he is determined to rediscover the kind of form that earned him a big-money move to the Baggies from Rotherham United, where he averaged a goal every other game.

“There is no reason why this team cannot get promoted this season,” said Reid. “We are fifth in the division for a reason. The table does not lie.

“When I was on loan at Walsall recently we played against Athletic, and all the talk before the game in our camp was to be wary, because they have a talented young side with high spirits.

“I have to say, even though I have been here less than a week, it has already struck me just how close-knit the place is.

“On a personal note, I am hoping to earn a place in the side and score a lot of goals.

“I am the sort of player who needs regular first-team football, so I can find a bit of a rhythm. Once that happens, things start falling for you and it is easier to get among the goals.”

Reid is the first to admit things have not gone to plan since his switch to the Hawthorns in 2009.

“My career has been too stop-start for my liking for the last two years,” he added.

“West Brom was a big move for me but I wasn’t involved regularly there, so it is important for me to come here and show why people were talking about me in the first place.

“I did alright at Walsall earlier this season, with six goals in 15 games. They are struggling at the wrong end of the table but there are some good players at that club.”

The front man received a rousing reception from the home faithful when he replaced Oumare Tounkara late on in the Hartlepool game.

And he will compete with the likes of Warren Feeney and Filipe Morais for a regular starting slot.

Reid noticed a few familiar faces on his arrival at Boundary Park

He said: “It is an exciting time to be at Athletic, because we are battling for promotion.

“I played with Ben Amos and Kieran Lee as a youth player at Manchester United, when I had just turned 17. I also know Reuben Hazell, just through the football circuit.

“It is horrible going into a new changing room when you don’t know anyone, so to have those guys around the place is a plus.

“It is a good atmosphere because everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“Whatever happens, I think we are in for an exciting few months.”