Pull together to end home hoodoo

Lets pull together . . . Simon Corney.

THE CHALLENGE of overcoming one of the worst home records in football presents itself when Athletic bid to make it through to a date at Sheffield United in the second round of the FA Cup.

The first-round replay with Mansfield a week today is the first of three straight matches at SportsDirect.com Park – a venue that is providing little home comfort for David Dunn's side.

While unbeaten away in Sky Bet League One this term, only FOUR home victories have come in 2015 so far.

That run is only matched in the 'annus horribilis' stakes by Newcastle, QPR and Leeds.

In the whole of the professional game, only Newport (three) have fared worse on home soil in the calendar year.

Athletic chairman Simon Corney has already spoken of the importance of the FA Cup in terms of keeping the interest going in a season that has so far failed to ignite.

And the club's owner feels that there is something of a negative feedback loop on match days at SportsDirect.com Park, with a lack of victories resulting in a small minority of supporters coming into the ground vocalising a negative mindset that adversely affects their club's own players.

“I do feel that there is an issue at home,” said Corney, who has himself witnessed only one Athletic victory in eight months, against Rochdale in March.

“I want to make it clear that we are very appreciative of the vast majority of fans.

“And I think supporters don't appreciate sometimes just how big a difference it makes to the players by really getting behind them.

“It is the tiny minority, the one-per-cent. The negativity can and does affect the players – they are trying and are putting in the effort.

“We dominated in the last home game against Burton. Things could easily have gone our way, but they didn't.

“We really want and need everyone behind us, because we all want that success.”

Athletic faced Sheffield United last month at SportsDirect.com Park, drawing 1-1 in a game in which Danny Philliskirk's opening goal was cancelled out by Matty Done, before Jonathan Burn was sent off for the home side.

The last meeting of the clubs in the FA Cup came more than a century ago – though Athletic won at Bramall Lane in the league three seasons ago.

With the delayed North Stand project at last opening up to supporters for the last two matches against the Blades and Burton, Corney reiterated his regret over broken promises over a structure that was due to be open for the start of the 2015-16 season.

But while the interior remains as-yet unfinished, he hinted that eyes are starting to be trained on developing other areas of the ground.

“Everyone can see what is there,” Corney said. “I feel that we have delivered.

“The facilities are great and there are still things to finish off. We are aware that we have let people down, but it is not intentional.

“There is a lot more to do in the stadium as well and it’s pretty exciting stuff.”

Either Athletic or Mansfield will travel to Sheffield United to fight for a place in the third round on the weekend of Saturday, December 5.