Latics lack a cutting edge

Photo: Alan Howarth

Jonathan Forte

IN TWELVE months’ time, John Sheridan has designs on a lap of appreciation that carries with it more weight.

Consecutive defeats without finding the net put a slight dampener on the traditional end-of-season well-wishes, directed from the stands to the players who had toiled over the past 50 fixtures in league and cup.

Athletic have done brilliantly under their new manager, who as it turns out had taken enough points by the time Walsall were beaten a month ago to keep the club’s place in Sky League One.

Nine wins in 22 matches is a respectable enough effort for most teams, let along one fighting a battle against relegation.

Perhaps it was only natural to expect the guard to lower a little and for those tiny, but telling percentages to be absent from fixtures that are no longer matters of life and death.

At the same time, Sheridan’s stated quest will allow for no off-days next term.

He is gunning for the top six — and it is open to question just how many of the players who took the plaudits after full-time will be around to potentially enjoy a set of stronger celebrations.

Athletic’s manager will certainly expect his team to play with more cohesion and creativity than this come August.

Only once did Athletic craft a real chance here in a lukewarm encounter. Curtis Main’s header from a searching right-wing cross in the 26th minute was superbly tipped over by goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook, as he leapt backwards.

There was industry aplenty in the middle third, but on a day when nothing seemed to go right for Carl Winchester, Athletic lacked that telling pass.

MYSTERY

Coventry didn’t. It is a mystery to the casual observer as to why the Sky Blues, who have benefited from talents like Joe Cole this season, have faded away from the promotion picture.

From the bench, Tony Mowbray was able to call on the clear class of on-loan Norwich schemer Jacob Murphy. It was his corner kick that led to Romaine Vincelot’s header that opened the scoring in the 74th minute and his through-ball that invited borrowed Newcastle man Adam Armstrong to net for a 20th time this season with a cool, composed finish.

Athletic could do with loans of that calibre in order to really threaten to upset the apple cart in 2016-17.

Which of the current crop of players will be around then will start to be revealed by the retained list due out this week.

Here, Sheridan offered clues that are open to interpretation. In from the off was Dominic Poleon, either for a farewell appearance, or a sign of further opportunities to come. The effect was middling, after a bright start.

Tareiq Holmes-Dennis was not in the squad and the other change to the side that lost 3-0 at Millwall the previous week had Lee Croft dropping to the bench in favour of the disappointing Winchester.

Left out again was Joseph Mills, the out-of-contract left-back who has barely had a look-in under Sheridan, and Mike Jones, a midfielder who Athletic have an option on for next term.

Poleon started with energy, challenging Charles-Cook as he came out to deal with a ball bouncing off a hard surface before threatening with a low centre that posed problems.

James Wilson almost put a cross into his own goal before the resultant corner saw Jack Stephens slice a half-volley wide when left unmarked at the far post.

Main’s header brought the best out of Charles-Cook, who was worked again by the same player when collecting a low effort that lacked power.

Coventry were the more threatening side and Armstrong stepped around Coleman when he rushed out after 38 minutes, only for some excellent reading of the game from Brian Wilson seeing the danger snuffed out as he came across to address the danger.

Livewire Armstrong performed a similar trick on half-time, this time teeing up George Thomas who fired over as he stretched forward to meet the ball.

The second half was poor fare, served up by two sides with an eye on mojitos and selfie opportunities in Marbella.

Poleon had an appeal for a penalty waved away when he tangled attempting to reach a Jonathan Forte cross, before Coleman made a brilliant one-handed save to push out a Stephens header, getting to his feet quickly to follow-up with a block on Vincelot’s attempt.

Athletic switched off from the resultant 74th-minute corner, Vincelot rushing to the near post to flick a header over Coleman and into his top-left corner.

It was two goals in the space of seven minutes when Armstrong peeled off his marker to accept Murphy’s pass, cutting inside onto his left foot before finishing neatly inside the near post.

Supporters stayed behind to applaud their team, hopeful and trusting in their man Sheridan to get things right for next season.