LATICS: What a shaker for goal-shy Athletic

by TONY BUGBY

AS Athletic struggle to find to find the net, they must be cursing their luck to see Ian Lawson banging in the goal for Bury, tomorrow’s visitors to Boundary Park.

Andy Ritchie was tracking the 21-year-old striker throughout the close season, only for Neil Warnock to snatch him away when they were confident he would join them on a free transfer from Huddersfield.

Lawson can’t stop scoring, and has already found the net seven times to become an instant hit with the Shakers.

How Athletic, who have scored only two goals in seven league and cup matches, could do with such a predator in their side.

“Ian has done ever so well and really should have scored even more. He has missed as many chances as he has taken,” enthused Warnock.

Warnock’s capture of Lawson and central defender Sam Collins from his former club, both on free transfers, again show what a master wheeler-dealer he is.

The former Boundary Park chief is satisfied with Bury’s start — they have collected nine points from their first six league matches — following last season’s relegation from division one.

IRONIC

Warnock admitted Bury were “not quite good enough,” for the first division, but added: “It was ironic that we went down on goals scored. Had it been goal difference — as it this season — we would have stayed up.”

Bury have lost three of their key players in Chris Lucketti, Dean Kiely and Laurent D’Jaffo.

Central defender Lucketti and goalkeeper Kiely, who joined Sunderland and Charlton respectively, could eventually each net the Shakers £1million.

French striker D’Jaffo, meanwhile, joined Stockport in a £100,000 deal.

Warnock said: “The loss of the three players ripped the backbone out of the team — goalkeeper, central defender and target man up front.

“But the three players who have come in — Paddy Kenny in goal, Sam Collins at the back and Ian Lawson up front — have done really well.”

Kenny was another of Warnock’s bargain buys, costing £10,000 from Bradford Park Avenue. He spent last season as understudy to Kiely.

There will be an old boys reunion tomorrow as Warnock’s Bury side includes four ex-Athletic players.

Steve Redmond, Paul Reid, Lee Richardson and Adrian Littlejohn will feature.

Richardson is the most recent capture, arriving on loan from Huddersfield.

Warnock said: “Lee was one of the big earners at Oldham, where there were a lot of youngsters coming through and I also wanted to bring in Lee Duxbury.

“It seemed the right thing to do to let him go at that time, but that doesn’t mean to say I didn’t rate him.

“Lee has come in and done well in the absence of Darren Bullock.”

Athletic fans will probably notice a distinct change of style in Warnock’s Bury side.

Far from his normal direct up-and-at them approach, Bury have adopted a more cavalier style.

Warnock admitted it has been brought about by fans’ criticism of Bury’s long-ball tactics.

He said: “We have Adrian Littlejohn and Lutel James as wingers and are playing an attacking game.

CHANCES

“We are creating plenty of chances and could have won all our games. We are also giving away goals so I think we will see a few at either end tomorrow.

“We drew last week at Luton, who are flying high, and though Oldham are struggling, tomorrow’s match will be just as difficult.

“I have heard they have had a lot of the play in a number of games, but can’t put the ball in the net.”

Warnock is looking forward to returning to Boundary Park, even though his departure was somewhat acrimonious.

“Obviously I was disappointed with the way things turned out at Oldham, but I always like going back to my former clubs.

“There are a number of Latics’ fans who still keep in touch and I must admit I still have a soft spot for the club.”