Sheridan salutes Gerrard after vital win

THANKS: Athletic manager John Sheridan claps the visiting fans after his side’s 1-0 win.

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ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan highlighted the leadership credentials of new signing Anthony Gerrard, who helped his side keep a clean sheet and vital 1-0 victory at relegation rivals Shrewsbury.

Gerrard (29) signed a deal to the end of the season on the eve of the game. Up against the side he last played for only 10 days ago on non-contract terms, the man who played a big part in Athletic’s late escape last season helped again to bring 20th-placed Shrews back within five points.

“He has been here before. He knows the club and knows the team,” Sheridan said of Gerrard. “He is what we need. He is experienced and vocal. He demands things and isn’t frightened to get on to players. That’s what we missed.”

Carl Winchester’s goal in the first half proved enough for Athletic, in a performance that saw them create the better chances and which they could have won more comfortably.

There is now an 11-day wait to the next game, at home to Blackpool, handing Sheridan time to work on areas he wants to address - and introducing new faces.

“We got the result we were after and three points we need,” Sheridan added after the game. “The

performance merited it. We were the better team and deserved the result. We could have possibly scored a couple more goals. I’m chuffed to bits for the players and the fans who travelled down.

“The performance was really good at times and when we had to defend we got heads on it and defended really well. I was pleased: the players gave me a lot of good football.