Boss’s faith in Joel pays off

Joel Coleman.

FAITH in his abilities have been rewarded through clean-sheet specialist Joel Coleman’s recent performances, but Athletic manager John Sheridan says the young goalkeeper is not the finished article yet.

Athletic’s best player in the defeat of Crewe, the confident number one produced a world-class save to deny Brad Inman an equaliser in the second half on the way to a 17th shut-out in 42 starts for the club.

The 20-year-old struggled for form at times under Sheridan, but has come through that tricky spell superbly to impress watching scouts from a higher level.

Coleman has an option within his two-year deal, which expires this summer, for another season at the club, and Sheridan is not getting carried away.

“He played okay against Crewe, but that is what a goalkeeper does. He is there to make saves,” the manager said.

“I have stuck by him and that’s what you need. As a player, a manager tries to put a bit of belief in you and he has come on.

“He is a young goalkeeper and has a lot of good attributes. At the same time, he has a lot to learn.

"At this moment in time he is in the team and he has done well. He is part of a team that has kept clean sheets — but for that, I don’t always just look at the defenders and goalkeeper.”

Sheridan has this week been linked with the Bolton job, but he continues to get on with the task of turning Athletic into play-off material for next season.

“I have to make sure I get the right 20 or 21 players who will get us in the play-offs,” he said.

“Whether they are here already or out there, I will try to make the right decisions.

“I don’t like telling someone I don’t want them for next season.

“I do it for the benefit of the club to make us a strong outfit in this division.”

Meanwhile, four scholars have been offered professional terms for next season.

Goalkeeper Chris Renshaw, right-back Kallum Mantack, centre-back Jamie Stott and winger Lee Knight have been handed one-year contracts after impressing in the club's academy.

Four players have been let go. Rahul Parmar, Alex Read, Rio Murray and Jake Hargreaves are all leaving.

o AARON Amadi-Holloway is reported to be a target for Scottish Premiership newcomers Rangers.

The striker (23), who starred on loan with Athletic from Wycombe before picking up a season-ending ankle injury, has also been linked with Wigan and Rotherham.

o FIXTURES for the 2016-17 season will be released on Wednesday, June 22.