Back for the big one

LIAM KELLY . . . not risked against Sheffield United.

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ATHLETIC will need to shake the worst performance since John Sheridan’s return out of their system ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Blackpool.

Liam Kelly comes straight back into the side for a game of huge significance, after not being risked in a limp 3-0 loss at Sheffield United. He could be joined in the starting XI by striker Curtis Main — the only attacking player to impress in a poor show at Bramall Lane.

Luckily for Athletic, results elsewhere meant the damage done by the Blades loss wasn’t too severe.

All four teams within catching distance above Athletic in the table — Blackpool, Doncaster, Fleetwood and Chesterfield — lost as well.

Sheridan knows that ahead of a spell of four home matches in the next five fixtures, his side will need to play with far more energy.

“It was probably our worst performance since I have been back here,” Sheridan said, reflecting on the end of a seven-match unbeaten run.

“In training, we have been brilliant — the way we passed and controlled the ball all week. It is ridiculous the way we come into a game situation with the ball bouncing off people and us mis-kicking it.

The decision to rest Kelly was down to not wanting to risk the skipper picking up a 10th yellow card of the season, which would have led to a two-game ban. An amnesty for such bans passed yesterday, leaving Kelly free to now play his usual game.

“It was a last-minute decision. We missed him as well. He has got that drive and determination about his game and he does the ugly things well.

“We were found wanting a little bit. I had one or two who did okay, but when we have been getting results it has been seven or eight of the team playing well.

“We didn’t have that. I accept the defeat. It was a shame for our fans, but fortunately we have a massive game against Blackpool and we have to bounce back.”

There was a debut for new striker Timmy Thiele. The 24 year old German signed for Athletic late last week on loan from Burton until the end of the season, with Rhys Murphy making room in the squad by heading out on a similar deal to AFC Wimbledon in League Two.

Thiele has scored once in 25 appearances for the Brewers this season since joining them from Borussia Dortmund’s reserves side in the summer.


DANNY Byrnes and Jordan Bove have signed for Evo-Stik League Northern Premier side Droyslden until the end of the season on youth loans.