Experience is key for Wellens

Experience will prove invaluable for Athletic during the final six games of the Sky Bet League One campaign.

That’s the considered view of Athletic’s manager Richie Wellens, whose side prepare to welcome Gillingham to Boundary Park tomorrow.

Athletic continue to battle valiantly to drag themselves away from the relegation zone.

A run of just two defeats in 10 games means Wellens’ men are three points outside the bottom four, and it’s at times like this where dependable campaigners like Anthony Gerrard, Dan Gardner, Eoin Doyle and Craig Davies can make a difference.

Wellens said: “It’s huge to have that experience because those players know what’s required.

“They can call upon things they’ve done in the past. They will be things they’ve done well and what got them points, and also things they could have done better or a bit differently maybe.

“It’s a huge bonus to have players like that around.

“Some of the young players that have come in – like George Edmundson at the moment – are doing well for us now too, and Anthony Gerrard complements him perfectly at the moment with his experience.

“You can never have enough experience.

“Look at the top teams, and it’s no coincidence that Wigan and Blackburn have got all the experience in the world.

“Every player in their squads nearly has won promotion from this league and played in the Championship.

“Experience is so vital. Look at Jose Mourinho, too. He has said he’s inherited a group of players who are not used to winning leagues and things, whereas Manchester City inherit and buy players who are used to winning things.

“You can never put too much value on experience.”

The Gills head north tomorrow on the back of a run of one win in nine games, but they already have 51 points so would appear to be relatively safe already.

However, Wellens is wary of the Kent side’s threat.

“Gillingham might want maybe three more points to make sure, but I think they’ll be safe,” said Wellens.

“They’ll come here and try and play, and try and get something from the game.

“They are an up and down team at the minute. They got a point against Blackburn in midweek, a team who had won a lot of games on the bounce, and they’ve got Tom Eaves of course, who we know a lot about.

“They might feel they are safe and can relax and play tomorrow, but it is about us.

“Can we be on the front foot, be aggressive from the first whistle and then see if they want to respond to that.

“Some players at mid-table teams might have one eye on the summer, but there is that argument about players relaxing and then taking that extra touch, holding the ball, maybe everything does come that little bit easier.

“It can work both ways.

“It’s like any game in this league, though. If we do the basics right and take our chances, then we’ll be okay.”

Gerrard and Davies are now fully fit and will both be in Wellens’ squad tomorrow, while Athletic fans might not have seen the last of centre-back Kean Bryan this season.

Bryan limped out of the recent 0-0 draw at Oxford with a hamstring injury, but he is undergoing treatment at parent club Manchester City and Wellens has revealed that he may return in time for the final couple of games of the season.