Athletic still have plenty to play for

It’s back to Boundary Park on Saturday for Athletic as they prepare for another crunch Sky Bet League One fixture, this time against out-of-form Gillingham.

Richie Wellens’ men were held to a 1-1 home draw by fellow strugglers Walsall last night (Wednesday), but the point gained lifted Athletic a crucial three clear of the drop zone.

Athletic will probably be favourites to win on Saturday, but boss Wellens is not taking anything for granted.

He knows his team have done well lately to ease themselves away from immediate danger following a dismal start to the campaign.

“There’s no easy games in this league,” said Wellens.

“Walsall came for a point and camped themselves in their own half for long periods, but for us it was a point closer to the target.

“When you play a team who comes and wants to defend it is important that you score first. That changes the whole dynamics of the game.

“I have got players who can create, I just want a little bit more from them in the final third.

“We have to take advantage when we’re on top. Maybe we should manage the game a bit better by just getting the ball wider and getting crosses in.

“We need to be on the front foot a bit more, but also a little bit more luck wouldn’t go amiss either.

“We’ve still got our destiny in our own hands. We’ve got everybody around us to play – certainly Wimbledon, Northampton and Rochdale - and we’ve taken a lot of positives from the Walsall game.

“It’s going to go down to the wire because of the situation we’ve been in since the start of the season.

“We have clawed our way back, but when you start with so many defeats (Athletic lost seven of their first nine league games), you know you’re going to be in a relegation battle.

“One-hundred-per-cent I’d happy with a win on Saturday to make it four points from these last two games.

“Win on Saturday and we’ll have 48 points with five games left. I’d be 100-per-cent happy with that.”

Meanwhile, Wellens has spoken about his surprise decision to throw skipper Anthony Gerrard back into the mix against Walsall, despite the defender not being 100-per-cent fit following a recent calf injury.

Former Cardiff, Hull and Huddersfield star Gerrard is clearly still set to play a major role in the run-in.

Wellens said: “Tom Hamer did really well when he came on at Oxford, but just having the experience of Anthony on the field, that know-how in the team, is so vital.

“To have an 18-year-old centre-back playing at the side of a 20-year-old, in the position that we’re in, is a massive ask – it really is.

“I’ve already said that Tom is going to be a really good player, but we need someone of Anthony’s stature in there.

“He’s someone who’s been through this situation for the last probably three or four years, and he’s used to it.

“That’s invaluable for us at this stage.”

Wellens was also pleased with now fit-again striker Duckens Nazon, who scored a cracker against the Saddlers – just his third goal since joining Athletic in January.

The Haiti international only played for just over an hour on Wednesday, but he is set to be another valuable asset during Athletic’s final six matches.

“Duckens always looks a goal threat,” added Wellens.

“His finishing is really good, it’s just that his fitness is still a bit low.

“He gets to 60 minutes and he’s really tired.

“He does need to work on his fitness, but in terms of being a threat, he has got goals in him.”

From play-off chasers earlier in the season, Gillingham have faded badly in the second half of the season.

They have won just once in their last nine games, but would appear to be safe from any relegation threat as they currently sit on 51 points.