Learning curve continues at Forest Green

Athletic and their new team manager Frankie Bunn are still on a steep learning curve during these early days of the new EFL season.

Following their heart-breaking relegation from League One on the final day of last term, Athletic are now competing in the fourth tier for the first time since 1971.

Last weekend's opening league fixture saw a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of MK Dons, and now focus has firmly switched to a trip into the unknown - Athletic head south tomorrow to take on Forest Green Rovers for the first time ever.

“I still don’t know what to expect from League Two," said boss Bunn.

“Obviously it’s our first time at this level for a long time, and it is a league that is new to us.

“We’re learning all the time.

“We’ve watched Forest Green, they look like a good footballing team, so we’ve got to go there and basically stick to our game-plan.

“Hopefully we’ll come away with something.

“We’ll have to cope with allsorts this season, we don’t know how many teams will be direct or whatever.

“But we’ll be ready.

“They had a great result at Grimsby and they are a good footballing team.

“They were one of the big hitters two seasons ago in the Conference.

“They’ve spent a lot of money, and they have done well over the last two or three years.

“They have established themselves in the league now.”

Once again Athletic will be roared on by a huge travelling army at The New Lawn.

More than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the clash in deepest Gloucestershire, and Bunn knows the fans are clued up on what to expect from his young, new-look squad.

“This is going to take time – don’t forget we’re rebuilding a team here," added Bunn.

“The fans were brilliant on Saturday, and will be at Forest Green, but they do need to understand that we’ll need time to formulate this team.”

Bunn is hopeful that club skipper Peter Clarke and fellow experienced star Andy Taylor will be available following injuries, while the situation regarding popular attacking midfielder Jack Byrne and his rumoured suspension remains unclear.

Bunn wouldn't be drawn at yesterday's pre-match press conference, other than to say that the situation was being dealt with.

Bunn will have plenty of faith in his back line, should they be the same youthful four as the one which played against MK Dons, namely Rob Hunt (aged 23), George Edmundson (20), Tom Hamer (18) and Sam Graham (17).

“We believe in them, and you saw on Saturday, these lads can cope," said Bunn.

“Everybody makes mistakes, but of course it’s all about how players learn from them.

“Last weekend will hold all that back four in good stead.”

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