Danny’s sights on glorious treble

Danny Philliskirk

DANNY Philliskirk is aiming to top-off the perfect weekend by maintaining his hot streak against former club Coventry.

The 24-year-old midfield man will tomorrow witness the birth of his first child, a baby girl, and on Saturday will travel to the Ricoh Arena, aiming to make it three successive matches in which he has found the net against the Sky Blues.

Philliskirk has already managed the trick once against an ex-employer this term, scoring a header in the home draw with Sheffield United.

One of manager David Dunn’s most trusted performers, he knows how important it is for Athletic to get their nose in front against high-flying Coventry — a feat they haven’t managed in Sky Bet League One since opening the scoring at Swindon in October.

“We need to give ourselves a chance in a game rather than constantly trying to get back into it. That is where we have been letting ourselves down lately,” said Philliskirk, who scored in both the 4-1 home win over Coventry and the 1-1 draw at the Ricoh Arena last season and who has six goals to his name this season.

“At Sheffield United we were probably a bit unlucky and had a few chances that didn’t go for us before they hit us with a sucker punch.

“But we pick ourselves up and go again and there is still belief in the squad. We are working for the manager and staff and everyone is striving to fix it, hopefully starting on Saturday.”


ATHLETIC’S rearranged home game against Millwall has been confirmed to take place on Saturday, January 9.