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'We were outstanding'

Gavin Browne
18/ 8/2008

JOHN Sheridan told his players to enjoy their Saturday night after watching them record a second victory in two seasons at Elland Road.

Two second-half goals in the space of 15 minutes from Chris Taylor gave Athletic a 2-0 win, following the 3-1 victory over Leeds on New Year's Day.

Along with Carlisle United, Sheridan’s side are the only team with a 100 per cent record in League One - after two games admittedly - ahead of this weekend’s home match against Cheltenham Town.

Sheridan said: "Last year, our results against the top teams were excellent but I've just reminded them that I want them to enjoy the weekend but we have a big game next weekend and I want them to treat everyone the same.

"I thought our performance was outstanding, I thought we controlled the game apart from the first 10 or 15 minutes. We defended excellently and played some decent stuff.

"I don't usually pick players out but although Chris (Taylor) has got the two goals, I though Reuben (Hazell) and Sean Gregan dominated two awkward strikers in (Jermaine) Beckford and (Enoch) Showunmi. That was part of a very good team performance."

While the result might have raised some eyebrows across the rest of the division, Sheridan was not as surprised. Last season saw Athletic beat champions Swansea City at Boundary Park, draw twice with second-placed Nottingham Forest, as well as defeat another play-off side in Carlisle United.

Those performances, according to Sheridan, will have marked his side down as possible dark horses in League One.

He said: "I think teams look at us anyway, they know we aren't a pushover and are as good as any team on our day.

"There's lots of teams and managers probably thinking the same as we are. If we get consistency into our game, we've got as good a chance as anyone of getting out of this division."