New signings boost Latics

Determined Athletic boss Laurent Banide is hoping new wide pair Filipe Morais and Jonny Smith can make a huge impact at Boundary Park.

Frenchman Banide has overseen just the one Sky Bet League Two victory this term - at Cambridge United - and his team currently sit in 22nd place in the fourth tier.

On Saturday Athletic face the long, gruelling trip to Ryan Lowe's Plymouth Argyle, but Banide now has lots of attacking options following the loan deadline day captures of Morais (from Crawley Town) and Smith (from Bristol City), and last week's move for ex-Ashton United wide-man Dominic McHale.

Banide said: "Jonny is young and Filipe is experienced, so they have both been good for the group this week.

"Along with Dom, they have all been working really well with the squad.

"It's gives me lots of possibilities. That's what I want. We need to find good connections.

"These players offer us more creativity and that is important.

"Filipe is a really experienced player and he's got good technique. Everyone can see that.

"He knows this league, and this club, very well. He's very fast and he's trained well.

"Jonny is a fresh, young player who needs to keep working very hard.

"It's important for everyone in the squad to give confidence to all new players."

Argyle have started the 2019/20 campaign impressively under new boss Lowe, who flitted to Home Park in the summer after guiding cash-strapped Bury to promotion last season.

The Pilgrims dropped into League Two at the end of last season, but with former Shakers Danny Mayor, Callum McFadzean, Byron Moore, Will Aimson and Dom Telford now in the squad (and ex-Athletic favourite Jose Baxter), they are currently sixth in the standings after just two defeats so far.

Banide added: "Plymouth are definitely a team with lots of potential - we know that.

"They are very good opponents who like to see lots of the ball and create opportunities.

"It's up to us to show good quality if we are to get a result there."

The only Athletic player definitely not in contention for the long trip to Home Park is defender Ashley Smith-Brown, who is ineligible as he is on loan from the Pilgrims.

There are still a number of advance tickets available for Athletic fans wanting to travel south to Plymouth.

 

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