Robinson seeking change of fortune in front of goal

STRIVING TO FIND A BREAKTHROUGH . . . Athletic forward Lee Erwin rises at the far post to get a header on target

THEY might have been scoreless again at Coventry, but Athletic ­- and their mean defence ­- are heading in the right direction.

The statistics don't lie, with Athletic boss Stephen Robinson keen to point out after the weekend's game that his side currently boast the most clean sheets ­- five ­- of any side in all four of the top divisions.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the 90 minutes at the Ricoh Arena ­- now it seems Athletic just need a bit more luck in front of goal.

Again they were denied victory by the woodwork at Coventry, as Lee Erwin struck a crossbar during a superb second-half effort from Athletic.

"We can't do no more and I can't ask for anything more from the players ­- they've been terrific," said Robinson.

"We're creating chances and getting into dangerous positions, and as a unit everyone is working their socks off.

"I can have no complaints so far, but maybe we just need that change or that turn in fortune now.

"The differences are minute.

"We've brought in players since I joined and collectively they've been very good for me.

"They did gel at Coventry and anybody who was at the game will surely have been very complimentary about the type of football we played.

"It was exciting stuff, and while it was still without the goals, we're definitely on the right track.

"As I've said, I can't ask for a single bit more energy from any of the lads. The quality they are showing is very good."

At the sharp end Athletic now have just four goals from eight Sky Bet League One matches so far this term, but they were unlucky at Coventry as home 'keeper Reice Charles-Cook turned in a man-of-the-match performance.

Offering clear encouragement to his forward players, Robinson added: "If they keep hitting the target, keep getting themselves in great positions and not hide from things, I'm confident it will come.

"The players won't hide from anything. I've seen lots of that already since I joined.

"Lee (Erwin) has hit the woodwork three times now and I think Billy Mckay is the same. It's inches, but that is maybe the difference between where we do find ourselves now and being much higher in the table.

"This collective group of players do deserve to be much higher in the table.

"We might not have the most in terms of resources, but we've got good, good people who are prepared to work terrifically hard to be successful. "