Standing up to be counted

Cameron Dummigan

DEFENCE continues to be a form of attack for Athletic as a robust back line helps to lift the team from trouble.

Ahead of tonight’s clash at Southend, John Sheridan’s side possess the second-best record in terms of goals conceded on the road in the whole of the division.

Only Walsall (19) can better Athletic’s 20 goals let in away from home, at a rate of less than one per outing.

That is despite letting in two at Barnsley and another at Fleetwood in the last week.

Assistant boss Peter Shirtliff, a centre-back of renown in his playing days as a team-mate of Sheridan’s at Sheffield Wednesday, says the impressive record comes down to a collective effort.

BREATHING SPACE

On a vital night of League One action, another ground-out result would just the ticket to create more breathing space between Athletic and Blackpool in 21st, with the Seasiders not in action.

“It has been a general transition, not just the back four specifically,” Shirtliff said. “The team are working better as a unit and more efficiently.

“The experience of Gerrard has certainly helped, but quite a few of the players have stepped up to the plate.

“The two Wilson lads have done very well. Prior to Daniel Lafferty leaving he did well and Cameron Dummigan has as well.

“Whoever has come in has stepped up.

“It is a foundation, and you have to say too that Joel Coleman has done well for an inexperienced goalkeeper, too.

“We just have to keep on that line.”

Mike Jones (ribs), Carl Winchester (knee) and James Wilson (ankle) are all doubts for the game at Roots Hall.

Up against a side 13th in the table, Shirtliff scoffs at suggestions that Southend and already-relegated Crewe — the latter are the visitors to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday — will provide easy end-of-term pickings.

“I don’t know about playing with freedom — they could be playing for their futures,” he added.

“That does create some tension, when you only have three or four games left and you don’t know if you will get a new contract for next season.

“Crewe are a very young side and that is their ethos. I don’t think relegation is a disaster for them in terms of their business plan for the club.

“They are all such hard games. You can never take anything for granted and you have to fight for every point.”

Sheridan and Shirtliff will be stressing the need to take the game to the opposition from the off tonight and nobody yet feels the job is complete when it comes to assuring League One status for 2016-17.

“The lads have responded very well,” said Shirtliff, reflecting on his three months at the club. “Results have been positive and performances have been an improvement as well.

“The general organisation looks a lot better. It is all good — but to get over the line, we have to keep on getting points.”

Athletic (probable, 4-2-3-1): Coleman; Dummigan, B Wilson, Gerrard, Holmes-Dennis; Dieng, Kelly; Jones, Croft, Forte; Main. Subs (from): Cornell, J Wilson, Edmundson, Mills, Brown, Tuohy, Poleon, Cassidy.