Sheridan lauds ‘cute’ Croft

Photo: Alan Howarth

Fleetwood 1 Oldham Athletic 1 Lee Croft

ATHLETIC manager John Sheridan has paid tribute to the players who have come in from out of the cold to help Athletic to the verge of safety for another season.

Lee Croft played the full game in the Southend victory in a pivotal central midfield role, three days after he was named in the side at Fleetwood — the first time the 30-year-old has featured in a starting XI for more than six months.

Injuries to Mike Jones and Carl Winchester and the recall of Matt Palmer to Burton have seen Sheridan turn to Croft and despite worries from the outside over his fitness, the response from the player has been positive on the field.

With options within his squad limited, George Edmundson did a solid job replacing injured James Wilson on Tuesday night, while Sheridan also highlighted Brian Wilson’s role in the defensive effort.

“Lee Croft doesn’t look fit and everyone keeps telling me that,” Sheridan said. “But I know what Crofty is all about.

“He has a lot of cuteness in his game and he is one of our cutest players.

“It was hard for him at Southend. He put in a shift and did well for the team.

“I would like him to be more of a threat and use his cleverness in good areas.

“He has played two games and it has been hard for him, as he hasn’t played a lot.

“Credit to him and likewise, Brian Wilson and George Edmundson.

“We always say it is a squad game. I always knew we would get injuries and we have missed key players, so to get four points from two big games is full credit to those who have been playing.”

Thanks to the Fleetwood draw and win at Southend, Athletic can guarantee their place in Sky Bet League One for next term if they at least draw against Crewe and Blackpool lose at Fleetwood.

A victory at SportsDirect.com Park would make it a certainty regardless of other results.

Sheridan accepts the job is almost complete and acknowledged the role of the club’s fans in driving the team on.

“We are very close and most managers before the season starts would think that 51 or 52 points is a good tally to keep you from relegation,” he added.

“We are on 51 and it is a big plus, as one or two results went our way as well.

“I am chuffed for the fans, but also the players, more than anyone.

“They have had a hard season and have been in the bottom-four for most of it. They have been there for a reason and I have to try to work out why they were and what I can do.

“The fans have got right behind the team since I have come in and you would think we were going for the play-offs, the way they have supported us.

“It is magnificent and they can see the players are with the fans at the moment in the way they are trying, as well as vice versa.

“It is a good feeling.”