Staying out of danger zone will be tough — Sheridan

JOHN SHERIDAN

Manager John Sheridan promises not to ease up an inch after finally getting the club out of the bottom four.

Curtis Main’s second goal in a week was Athletic’s reward for a much-improved second-half against promotion hopefuls Walsall. The 1-0 home win - a third in succession - was described by Sheridan as the best since his return to the club and lifts the team to 18th ahead of tomorrow’s tricky trip to Barnsley.

After taking Athletic clear of the relegation zone for the first time in five months, Sheridan wants to use the game in hand at Oakwell to increase the gap with the drop zone.

Fourth-bottom Blackpool, who lost at home to Colchester, are two points adrift of Athletic with only four matches left.

“The fans are probably buzzing at the moment as we have not been out of the bottom four for a long time,” said Sheridan, whose record since taking on the job is now seven wins, five draws and four losses.

“I am pleased for them and for the players, as it is a bit of pressure off them. It has been a hard season, but the fans are right behind us. We are all trying to get over the line and stay in this division together.

“The atmosphere was brilliant again and the fans appreciate the drive and determination the players are putting in. It is probably the best result since I have been here.

“Now, the hard bit is staying out of the bottom-four. They have done terrifically well to get us into this position, but I have to make sure I am looking at the next step to climb away even further.

“Barnsley will be a tough game, again against a team with something to fight for. We go there in good spirits, with clean sheets behind us and a great determination to win games.”

For Sheridan the collective effort of his side was his focus: “It is about the team and other than Joel Coleman, I don’t think anyone played well in the first half,” he added.

“We have a winning mentality at the moment and we know if we are not playing well, to dig in and we might get the rewards. We did that and got a great goal to win the game.

“We have competed well against teams near the top since I have been here,” Sheridan said.