Boss geared up for 'biggest game'

Athletic manager Richie Wellens is prepared for what he describes as ‘the biggest game of the season’ at home against Walsall tomorrow night (Wednesday).

The re-arranged clash against the Saddlers is a vital one for both clubs as the battle to escape the dreaded drop from Sky Bet League One edges closer to a climax.

Athletic are currently two points above the drop zone with seven games to play, with Walsall three points further clear, though they have a game less to play.

Looking ahead to the match, Wellens admitted: “It’s crucial. For me it’s the biggest game of the season, just because a win would allow us to create a bit of a gap between us and some of the other teams.

“There’s Wimbledon, Rochdale and Northampton who all play tonight (Tuesday), but if we win against Walsall no-one will gain points on us and that’s another game gone.

“It’s a huge game, but we’re playing allright at the moment. We’re playing some decent stuff and I like the energy and intensity that I’m seeing.

“At home, bar the Portsmouth result, we’ve been pretty good and the results have been there.

“I want to keep that going.

“I don’t think Boundary Park is an easy place to come to for opposition teams, especially when we play at a certain intensity and at a good pace.

“We showed that against Blackpool.

“When we upped our game in the second half of that one, and got after Blackpool, they found it tough.

“I need us to continue that work-rate, that pace and that intensity.”

Athletic chiefs have offered stay-away adult fans the chance to gain entry to the next two home games (Gillingham are in town on Saturday) for £25 in a bid to attract a bigger crowd, but Wellens wasn’t really interested in whether his players can offer value for money during these crunch times.

The Athletic boss added: “Whether we’re value for money I couldn’t care less, just give me the points.

“We’re at that stage of the season now where we just have to get results.

“The performance against Blackpool was okay, but we got the win.

“Tomorrow and on Saturday we just need to focus on the win, performance levels can go out of the window.

“If the performance tomorrow is good and we give value for money then great, but it’s just a win I want.”

Skipper Anthony Gerrard and Kean Bryan are both still out injured tomorrow, so young centre-back pairing George Edmundson and Tom Hamer are likely to continue against the Saddlers after impressing in the goalless draw at Oxford at the weekend.