Confident Byrne remains calm

by Ryan Booth

Jack Byrne reckons Athletic’s squad boasts far too much quality to face the drop from League One this season.

Despite the club’s current league position, midfielder Byrne is confident Athletic can move away from the relegation zone starting tomorrow, when Richie Wellens' men face high-flying Wigan Athletic in a highly anticipated local derby at the DW Stadium.

“The games are good because we can get a rhythm going and hopefully if we beat Wigan tomorrow, we’d be going into a home game [versus Blackpool] on Monday full of confidence,” said Byrne.

“Obviously we’re aware of that [the hectic Easter schedule], but you can put yourself mid-table in a week.

“I think we play Saturday, Tuesday probably most weeks towards the end of the season so we don’t want it coming down to the wire. Hopefully we can make ourselves safe at the weekend.”

While Athletic currently sit outside of the danger zone solely on goal-difference, 21-year-old Byrne has revealed the squad is feeling calm regarding the situation.

“I think everyone’s quite relaxed,” he said.

“We know the quality we have in the squad, I think most of the games we’re playing are very winnable - we’re really looking forward to it.

“I can’t see us getting dragged into it that much to be honest. I think if you said to us at the start of the season you’ve got to get around 12 points from your last ten games - considering our position, we’d have bitten your hand off.”

Tomorrow’s clash will see Byrne return to Wigan for the first time since his permanent switch to Boundary Park - and the Irishman has revealed he is set to relish the occasion.

Byrne continued: “Obviously I was there for a year so I know how good their squad is but our starting XI on its day can beat anyone.

“It’s not as if I’m not going back there thinking I’ve got a point to prove or anything like that, I’m just enjoying my football and hopefully we get the win for Oldham - it’s a big game.

“The travelling fans will be fantastic, seeing them at Bury has made me really excited for it, hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.

“They’re a massive part of us and it’s important you have that bond between the players and the fans, I think Abdallah [Lemsagam] has been good in reducing the season tickets and getting the name of the stadium changed back to Boundary Park - I think that was really important.”

Expanding on the club’s recent season ticket reduction scheme, Byrne said: “It’s going to be exciting [for supporters next season].

“The way Richie wants us to play is really attractive on the eye so it’s hopefully gonna be a really good season and we’ll be in and around the play-offs as the squad is more than capable.

“I think we can kind of push forward and give the likes of Wigan and Blackburn a good run for their money.”