Latics look to experience over youth

Last updated : 14 February 2005 By Dave Moore

Athletic take on Wrexham at Boundary Park in the northern area final of the LDV Vans Trophy tomorrow night and manager Brian Talbot will bring sweeping changes in an attempt to stop the recent slump. Dean Holden and David Eyres will return to the team as will Will Haining if he is declared fit, as Talbot goes for experience over youth. Talbot regards the LDV as important and he hopes to build up a substantial lead to take to the Racecourse ground for the second leg.

He told the Chronicle, “We have conceded eight goals in our last three games, which is a concern. We didn’t play bad football on Saturday but we are getting punished for not being able to match teams physically at the back. That is something opponents are identifying and exploiting.”

Holden was a second half substitute on Saturday and Talbot wants him to start tomorrow’s game. Both Holden and Haining are coming back from injury. David Eyres will also return to the starting line up after being rested at Bournemouth. Eyres has started more matches than any other Athletic player and it is believed that the rest will bring the best out of him.

Chris Killen and Rodney Jack should soon be back in the first team frame and Talbot continued, “To have Killen and Jack back will be like signing two new players and will be a big lift to the club. There are (other) players available, but not in our wage bracket.”