Keep calm and carry on

CALMING INFLUENCE: Matt Palmer’s build-up play was instrumental in Athletic’s match-winning goal against Chesterfield on Monday.

CALMNESS and composure are the watchwords for Athletic as manager John Sheridan creates breathing room in the scrap against relegation.

The important 1-0 win over Chesterfield was a fifth victory in Sheridan’s last dozen games in charge — one more than achieved all season under Darren Kelly and David Dunn.

It wasn’t quite enough to lift Athletic out of the bottom four, but with games in hand on rivals the bookmakers now believe Athletic are odds-against going down.

Mike Jones netted the all-important goal against the Spireites. But for Sheridan, there was an important contribution in the build-up that didn’t go unnoticed.

Starting with the home game with Swindon on April 5, the manager wants Athletic to become more relaxed in possession.

“Matt Palmer showed it in glimpses in the second half, especially for the goal,” said Sheridan. “Probably nobody realises how he took an extra touch and made the goal for Mike Jones with calmness in possession. I’d like us to sometimes not to panic and to be a bit braver. It is not all about effort with me; it’s knowing where to run, stand and pass when we are 1-0 up to see the game through and make it a bit easier.

“They hadn’t won too many games before I came, but they are showing a will to win and are picking up one or two results which have got us where we want to be with eight games to go.

“We are closer to that group and we have a chance of getting out of the bottom four. That is what we have to believe, that we won’t be there at the end of the season. It’s the only thing I’m focusing on.”

Athletic are waiting for news on injuries to Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Timmy Thiele. Both will have scans, on ankle and shoulder respectively.