Philliskirk to continue hot streak

Danny Philliskirk - on form

MAN of the moment Danny Philliskirk is bidding to cash in on his hot streak in front of goal.

A scorer in both of Athletic’s last two games from midfield, the player has hopes to top the tally of 12 strikes he managed in his first season with the club.

Philliskirk - at 24, in the final year of his contract (but with a further year on option) — played as a forward when he scored 10 in 22 outings at one stage.

But whether it is in the engine room or up front, a player valued by his managers as a canny tactical operator wants to make the most of his promising start - starting tonight at Colchester.

“I can’t relax,” said Philliskirk, now in his third season back at the club at which he started as a junior.

“In my first season I got 12 goals and I would like to beat that this season. I’ve got off to a good start. I haven’t scored in the first few games in previous seasons so hopefully I can carry on and help the team progress further.”

As for the not wholly convincing manner of victory over Fleetwood, the former Chelsea academy man believes it acts as payback for those occasions last term when Athletic failed to pick up their just rewards.

“It was good to get our first win,” he said. “The performance probably wasn’t as good as it could have been. Playing well and losing happened quite a few times last season, so it is a positive sign that we didn’t play to the level we can do but still came out with three points.”

Hopeful that Athletic can work to maintain form at Colchester, Philliskirk is clear there is nothing to worry about unduly in a wide-open division.

“We feel as if we can beat anyone,” he added. “There are no real stand-out teams this year, whereas last time Bristol City ran away with it.

“It’s a northern league, which is good as it will attract the fans. And we don’t fear anybody.”

twitter: @Matt_Chambers_