Big battle ahead

THUMBS UP: Athletic manager John Sheridan likes what he sees at SportsDirect.com Park.

ESTIMATING the number of points needed for survival this season is a tricky business.


Take the average yield from manager John Sheridan’s games in charge so far and it suggests Athletic will end up on 52 points. Would that keep the club up? It should be enough, given that no side has gone down with such a number since Fulham in 1993-94.

But it is still fiendishly difficult to predict. Shrewsbury have pulled away of late, and a run of three wins makes it tough to believe they will be pulled back into the relegation mire.

That leaves Athletic primarily hunting down Doncaster, Fleetwood and Chesterfield close to the line — with the last two of those still to play Oldham in the run-in.

It’s vital that doesn’t lose games against teams close to them in the table, and victories would carry major weight.

Though Athletic can’t directly hurt the prospects of Doncaster, the South Yorkshire side still looks vulnerable with only one win in the last 11 games.

Rovers are away to play-off chasers Bradford this weekend, potentially weakening their position further. They then must play Blackpool, Chesterfield and Crewe before the end of the season.

Three wins from five fixtures has improved Fleetwood’s position, with the side facing table-toppers Burton on Saturday. The Cod Army must still play Chesterfield, Blackpool, Crewe and a home game with Athletic on April 16.

Chesterfield have also improved significantly lately. Three points in their last four matches and a 41-point total from 35 played give a real chance of safety.

Athletic can’t afford to discount Crewe in 23rd, either. Not when the sides meet with only three games left at on April 23.

If Sheridan maintains his positive work then the man charged with the rescue act could yet have his finest hour at the club. But there’s an awfully long way yet to go.