Positive steps after stuttering start

LEE CROFT . . . one of only six players at pre-season assessment session

LEE Croft lifted his eyes from his plate and surveyed an extraordinary scene.

Athletic's squad had returned form the summer break to take part in pre-season testing at the University of Bolton - all six of them.

Croft, in tip-top shape after being challenged to come back fitter than before, was catching up with first-team players Connor Brown, Brian Wilson, Carl Winchester, Jake Cassidy and George Edmundson at lunch to compare summer activities.

It suddenly struck him that a club without a manager, coaching staff, goalkeeper or even training kit - players were videoed by the club running in their own gear - barely had enough resources to put out a five-a-side team.

"It was a bit surreal. There were only a few there, but the lack of numbers really sunk in afterwards," said Croft, who a month ago signed a new deal running to January with the option of extending to the end of the season.

"We all went out to lunch to catch up with what had been happening over the summer.

'BIZARRE'

"I looked round and just thought, 'that's our whole squad'.

"It was bizarre, looking back. But just look at the difference between then and now."

After a false-start with Steve Evans, Stephen Robinson came in as boss and quickly added a pack of new recruits.

Including Croft - who was technically out of contract before re-signing - 21 players have been acquired in the space of 54 days, with 18 leaving since May.

Athletic didn't spark in pre-season games that inevitably, given the changes, were mainly fitness exercises.

And the first game at a powerful Millwall was a virtual write-off too.

Croft (31) says that since then, though, Athletic have reached a stage where they can be relatively content in terms of the league progress and with a squad strength that is making it very tough for the former Manchester City and Derby man to claim a starting role in this, his fourth spell with the club.

"It is still very early days and nobody is going to make any wild predictions about anything," said Croft, whose positive role in adding control in midfield as a substitute has brought praise from Robinson.

"If you had said on that first day back that we would be where we are right now, with the players that are on board, I think we would definitely have taken that.

"It will take time for us to gel properly, but there are a lot of positive signs and a really good mixture of various types of players within the squad, which is what the gaffer was looking for.

'CREATED'

"Competition for places is definitely a good thing and a challenge to everyone to give it their all. The gaffer has created competition is most positions and midfield is no different.

"It is up to individuals to perform well to get into the team and then to stay there."

Supporters have certainly taken to Croft's impressive work ethic on the pitch.

It's nothing new for him to have to prove his worth under a new manager. Robinson is Athletic's fourth since he came back to the club from St Johnstone 16 months ago, but he has really bought into the all-action style preached by the new coaching team.

"The gaffer has been brilliant and he has drilled it into us from day one that total commitment its the minimum he expects," Croft added.

"He asked us all to buy into the way he wants to do things and his style of play. We have done that and it has been effective."