Duo facing Latics exit

Connor Brown

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JAKE Cassidy and Connor Brown are set for the exit door before today's transfer deadline is hit at 11pm, with the hope that a new face will be added to the squad.

After a 5-4 home defeat to Carlisle in the first Checkatrade Trophy Group 'D' clash that featured an impressive first outing for striker Freddie Ladapo, Athletic boss Stephen Robinson is looking to do business first and foremost in arranging for the out-of-favour duo to leave.

And if that happens, then there could be wriggle-room in the budget for another addition to the squad ahead of Saturday's home Sky Bet League One clash with Shrewsbury.

"Hopefully, both (Cassidy and Brown) will have deals sorted allowing them to leave the club," Robinson said, following a cut-price contest that attracted a crowd of 1,897 despite three-figure attendances elsewhere in a competition widely criticised for its inclusion of 'B' teams from higher divisions.

"That's what our intention is and both boys know they aren't intended to be part of what we want to do.

"We hope to find them clubs and wish them all the best. At the moment, they are still here so if they stay, we will work to get the best out of them.

"If we can do some business getting the boys out, we are always looking for players."

Athletic made seven changes to the team last night and Carl Winchester featured as a second-half substitute.

Linked with a move away from the club, Robinson said that the 23-year-old is staying, but that his approach needs to improve.

"Carl has a long way to go," Robinson added. "He is at a crossroads and he is going to be with us, so he has to decide how much he really wants to push himself and show desire.

"There is talent there, but he has to decide where he wants to go with that."

As for Athletic's absent defensive solidity last night in the absence of rested captain Peter Clarke, the standard of goals conceded against the League Two side was a source of frustration for a manager who will need to retain five of his starting line-up from last night for the Shrewsbury game or hand the club a £5,000 fine.

"It was an exciting game but not one I'm happy with. Conceding goals like that from set plays is really disappointing," Robinson said.

"We work tirelessly on them, but the young boys on lack experience.

"George Edmundson and Cameron Burgess have to learn from their mistakes and Charles Dunne, too.

"They are young players who have to learn quickly, or else you get punished at this level.

"Darius Osei did very well when he came on, Freddie looked very, very lively and Billy Mckay scored.

"So they are the positives I will take.

"There was attractive football at times, but the first half cost us the game. We weren't at the races in the first 20 minutes.

"The second half is a different kettle of fish. We went 4-3 up and then conceded two poor goals."