Water torture!

Neil Joy, Latics pitch waterlogged

ATHLETIC face a flurry of action over the next month after sitting out a weekend that saw the majority of results go the way of John Sheridan’s side.

A waterlogged Oldham pitch led referee Jeremy Simpson to call off the home match with Blackpool on Saturday. Athletic chief executive Neil Joy described it as a “massive blow” to see a second call-off of the season at home, following the Millwall postponement before Christmas.

“Ground staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the playing surface was ready,” said Joy. “To be beaten by the rain is heartbreaking for everyone at the club.”

Athletic’s immediate attentions now turn to a tough trip to Wigan this Saturday. That game is the first of seven in 22 days including the home clash with Swindon on March 5. The earliest date for a rearranged home game with Pool is March 8.

Athletic’s boss can at least hope to have extra players to tackle those matches, since the emergency loan window opens this week.

He believes he is 90 per cent certain to complete deals, with a winger and target man the priorities.

Athletic’s survival chances were handed a boost by way of weekend results elsewhere in Sky Bet League One.

Crewe beat Rochdale to push Athletic to 23rd, but bottom side Colchester were beaten 3-0 at Southend and relegation-threatened duo Fleetwood and Shrewsbury played out a goalless draw. Chesterfield remain in trouble after losing 1-0 at home to Peterborough.



Bristol City majority shareholder Steve Lansdown said the Championship club was grateful to have captured Lee Johnson after Athletic’s former manager completed his move from Barnsley.

Johnson (34) made the switch to a club for which he played more than 200 times in six seasons. He has signed a three and a half year contract..

“Lots of Premier League clubs have been trying to get him on their coaching staff,” Lansdown told the Bristol Post. “Lee is much sought-after; we’re lucky to have him.”

Johnson’s former assistant Tommy Wright has stayed on at Barnsley