Sheridan has time for Latics opponent

John Sheridan

MILLWALL’S popular loan winger Chris Taylor can expect to get some stick from at least one part of the ground tomorrow ­– the visitors’ dug-out.

Athletic manager John Sheridan said, with tongue in cheek, that he will be out to needle a player he did so much to develop during his last spell in charge.

In his first full season in the first team after graduating through the youth system, a 20-year-old Taylor progressed quickly to become a mainstay of the charge into the play-offs in 2006-07.

Nine years on, the Blackburn player will tomorrow be out to try to nail down a top-six place for the Lions by getting them the point they need at The Den.

“It will be when I am shouting at him to get him off his game,” joked Sheridan, when asked if it will be strange for Taylor to turn out against the club he supports and played for over more than six years.

“He was excellent for me and I really like him as a lad as well.

“Obviously he is an Oldham supporter and it’s really good when you get a local lad doing well.

“He did really well for me and has gone on to good things. Why he is not figuring at Blackburn I don’t know. But he did very well for me and I have a lot of time for him.”

Millwall, managed by former striker Neil Harris, appear to be peaking at the right time in their quest for promotion. An automatic spot is still possible in theory ­– that relies on Burton losing twice and Walsall also slipping up ­– but even if the play-offs have to be negotiated, a club that has won three out of four will go into it with confidence.

“They have some good players and are going really well,” Sheridan added. “It will be a really good test for us and I am looking forward to the game.

“We will see where we are and if we can stand up to it. The atmosphere will be decent as well.”

Meanwhile, Jay Sheridan will embark on his attempts to make it as a professional with Athletic with no pressure on his shoulders from his father.

Father John says it will be down to his 16-year-old son to prove himself worthy of a contract over the next two years, after he was inducted this week.

“It is difficult for Jay as I am his dad and manager of the club,” said John of his son, who plays at left-back and arrived at the club after playing in the youth system at Barnsley.

“I don’t want to say too much about him and I am his father like the other parents who were there. “He is a young kid with an opportunity and a lot to learn.”