League Two could be 'a blessing in disguise'

After a number of seasons of struggle in the third tier of English football, supporters don't need reminding that Athletic dropped into League Two following that heart-breaking day at Northampton on the final day of last season.

However, popular midfielder Dan Gardner feels that may not necessarily have been as desperate as some fans will have felt over the summer.

Athletic were beaten 1-0 at home by high-flying Newport last weekend of course, but that ended an impressive five-match unbeaten league run and Frankie Bunn's team have started this term confidently and competently.

Gardner said: “It could be a blessing in disguise that we’re in this league now.

“We’re doing well, the fans are turning out in their numbers, and everyone around the place is happy and upbeat.

“The management team and the players are striving hard for success.

“There is a difference between Leagues One and Two in my view.

“Having said that, though, I don’t know exactly what that is.

“Whether it’s better players or just fitness, I don’t know, but there are better teams in League One.

“Obviously League One is going to be better in quality, but apart from that I can’t quite put my finger on why it does seem stronger.”

Hard work on the training ground has clearly been paying off for Athletic so far this season.

Gardner is right on top of his game again after shaking off a niggling injury picked up just before the end of last season.

“The gaffer has us at it every day in training,” revealed Gardner, nominated last week for the League One Player of the Year gong as this year’s North West Football Awards.

“We’re fitter than most teams we’ve played so far.

“Some of the players I’ve come up against have been cramping up after 70 or 80 minutes and we’re still going.

"That was highlighted in the recent win against Crawley.

“We were still going in the last minute and were rewarded with a winner.

“There’s also good players coming off the bench and players coming back from injury – we are looking good at the moment.

“Everyone just works so hard for each other, and we all want the same thing.

“Everyone else says it – ‘oh, we’ve got a good group’ – but we have got a good momentum, we’re all willing to work for each other, so hopefully the rewards will come.”

Athletic bid to bounce back from the Newport disappointment when they travel to struggling Grimsby Town on Saturday.

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