Boss urges no let up in Latics’ relegation scrap

ATHLETIC’S players have been told to not let up an inch in the battle to climb out of the bottom-four of Sky Bet League One.

Four of the last six games at SportsDirect.com Park have brought wins for John Sheridan’s side, never more

decisively than in the 2-0 victory over Swindon this week.

Walsall’s visit on Saturday presents the toughest home test yet for Sheridan.

Though Athletic will definitely move out of the bottom-four with a win over the Saddlers — provided only one of the four sides above them in the table loses — the players are being urged not to focus anywhere other than at the immediate challenge at hand.

Athletic’s manager (pictured, right) was seen urging on his side from the technical area against Swindon and he says he will never cease in his efforts to try to take Athletic away from short-term danger and towards long-term success.

“It is really tight. But I am not really bothered about anyone else and just have to keep the lads focused and make them realise we are still in the fight and in the bottom-four," said Sheridan, who signed a two-and-a-half year contract to become manager for a second time back in January.

“If it has to be the last game or the second-last game to get out of it, so be it. We just have to look after ourselves. There is a long way to go and we are just doing all right, giving ourselves a chance to get out of the position we are in.

“You could hear me from the touchline even against Swindon when we were winning. I won’t stop and I want us to be successful. I want to get back to how it was when I was last here when we were fighting for the play-offs and automatic promotion. That is what I want to get it back to.

“That’s how it is and everyone knows my fondness for the club. I don’t like seeing them struggle and even if I wasn’t here I would always look for the club’s results.

“I am honoured to have the chance to manage the team again, so I don’t want to fail. I want to improve us.”

Away from home, only Walsall have lost fewer games (two) than Athletic’s three defeats in what has been a solid campaign throughout on the road.

At SportsDirect.com Park, though, the transformation under Sheridan has seen the new boss pick up four wins where only one had come all season before his arrival.

“At home, it was difficult for the players when I first came in as they weren’t winning many,” Sheridan added.

“It is hard when you are losing and possibly one or two supporters are on players’ backs. We have all been there as players and you don’t always look forward to playing.

“At this moment in time, they are looking quite confident and believing we can go and win matches at home.”

Brian Wilson sat out the Swindon game despite putting in a pair of faultless displays at centre-back at Burton and then Chesterfield, helping keep clean sheets in both.

Sheridan pointed out that the defender had been ill, but says that it illustrates the point that forcing a way into Athletic’s starting XI is difficult at the moment.

“Brian had been off since the Chesterfield game and only resumed training on Monday as he has been poorly,” said Sheridan.

“It was a tough decision and I tried to explain the reasons for it to him. He was excellent in keeping two clean sheets against Burton and Chesterfield.

“It was a brave decision on my part as I could have kept him in. But Cameron Dummigan played really well at Burton, so they are all playing okay.

“It is difficult and I don’t like leaving out players. But I want them ready and whoever comes in, I want them to give me a problem — and if you are coming on as a substitute, look bright and I might have to play you next time. That is the way it will be as we have a lot of games coming up.”