Wellens: 'It's the biggest game of the season'

A win for Athletic – who sit just one place above the League One trapdoor as it stands – would take them five points clear of the drop zone after fourth-from-bottom Rochdale lost 4-1 at home to Wigan last night.

Wellens said: “Tonight is crucial. For me, it’s the biggest game of the season because a win would allow us to get a bit of a gap between the other teams.

“It’s a huge game and we’re playing some decent stuff at the minute. I like the positive energy and the intensity we’re showing.

“At home, bar the Portsmouth game, we’ve been pretty good and results have been there. Boundary Park is not an easy place to come for opposing teams, especially when we work at pace.

“When teams come here, they don’t want to work at that pace, which showed against Blackpool when we stepped it up in the second half.

“I want us to continue to work at that pace and intensity.”

The gaffer’s comments come after the club introduced a cut-price deal where supporters can purchase a ticket for tonight’s game and Saturday’s clash at home to Gillingham at £25 for the pair.

Wellens added: “If there’s more fans there who maybe come with their mates, sing, get the atmosphere going and get behind the players – do our players find it easier? Of course they do.

“When we went to Wigan, their fans were behind them and their players responded to it. I’d like Walsall to come here and say ‘they’re not a bad team, Oldham – and their fans get right behind them.’ It can make a massive difference.” Fans can take advantage of the offer up until 7pm this evening.

On the pitch, Wellens must decide whether to start 18-year-old Tom Hamer alongside George Edmundson at centre-back or risk Anthony Gerrard (calf) or Brian Wilson (groin) following the news that Kean Bryan could have played his last game in an Athletic shirt after the defender, on loan from Manchester City, suffered a hamstring injury at Oxford on Saturday.

Wellens said: “Kean has maybe played his last game. He had a scan yesterday. The reason we didn’t let George Edmundson go back to Fylde is because this might happen.

“Tom Hamer didn’t put a foot wrong when he came on at Oxford and I was also really impressed with George. I thought he took it upon himself when Kean went off. He marshalled the defence and organised people around him.

“He got us out so we weren’t too deep and that’s what I want. He’s really growing up now.

“We could maybe risk Gerrard but if we do that and then lose him, especially with Kean out, it’s a big gamble and we’d rather have Gerrard available for the other six games, rather than just one.

“Brian Wilson is still sore. He might be one who will come back in the squad, however I think Brian is better at full-back now. I’d be doubtful about putting him in at centre-half.”

Craig Davies, who has missed the last two matches with a groin injury, remains doubtful for tonight’s clash against a Walsall side who aren’t yet safe themselves. A home win would draw Latics level on 47 points with the Saddlers.

The manager said: “I’m not sure Davies will be back. Ryan McLaughlin is definitely out and obviously, Cameron Dummigan will miss the rest of the season.

In last night’s other League One fixtures affecting the relegation picture, Northampton lost 3-0 at Blackpool, AFC Wimbledon were 1-0 winners at home to Charlton and Oxford lost 1-0 at home to John Sheridan’s resurgent Fleetwood, who are now into the top half on 54 points.