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Gunning for glory
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 30 January 2012
Dickov certain Latics can make Wembley
ATHLETIC’S glory-seeking players have been left under no illusions about the size of their task tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).
Despite opponents Chesterfield’s hugely-improved form, though, manager Paul Dickov (pictured) remains confident his side can make it to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley.
On-loan Liam Ridehalgh struck a spectacular winning goal for the Spireites on Friday night to see off Bournemouth 1-0 and earn the club a third successive victory — a sequence which kicked off with Athletic’s 2-1 defeat in the first leg of the Northern area final of the JPT.
Dickov admits that his opposite number John Sheridan’s squad strength has significantly improved as a result of loan signings. These include Huddersfield’s Ridehalgh, Josh Thompson (Celtic), David Davis (Wolves) and James Hurst (West Brom), to the extent that they are now no longer bottom of npower League One.
But with the possibility of all four of Athletic’s injured players turning out tonight — decisions on the fitness captain Dean Furman, Zander Diamond, James Wesolowski and Robbie Simpson will be made according to medical advice — Dickov reckons that a blank weekend without a fixture should help.
“John (Sheridan) has used the loan window very well,” said Dickov, whose side remain 16th in the table.
“He has brought in good players. I know, speaking to them after our 5-2 win here in November, that it was something they wanted to do. They have done that well.
“But the pleasing thing for us is, with the injuries we have had and with the amount of games we have played recently, not having a game on Saturday gives us the chance which we have not had to let the boys recover properly.
“We will recuperate and make sure we are flying and ready to go.”
Dickov has until noon today to register any new faces in time for the crucial clash, which is being televised on Sky Sports.
He has hinted at bringing at least one player in, in addition to trying to secure a renewal of the loan agreement for Manchester City winger Luca Scapuzzi.
Reuben Reid could make a comeback in the striking ranks, in the event of Simpson (hamstring) not being passed fit.
While his side have to score more than once to have any chance of claiming the spoils — in the event of an aggregate draw after 90 minutes tonight, there is no extra time and a penalty shoot-out will ensue — Dickov is preaching a steady approach.
“The biggest thing for me is yes, we want to score goals,” he added. “But we have to be patient.
“We have got 90 minutes to score at least one goal.”
Comments
Oh, dear! Less than 6000 at the game (just over 5,600 in fact) and a toothless performance from strikers (Is that what they call them?) who, yet gain, failed to do what they are paid for - SCORE. PD surely can't have more excuses for this latest result? A decent performance but the same old outcome - when it matters the result is always the same. What happens now? Where will the much-needed support come from with the season already over barring a miracle? Worrying times ahead.
Once again we get in a position to attract new fans & we totally blow it & worst of all against a very poor team.No excuses Paul have a serious look at his squad over the next 12 x hrs & move out some of the deadwood that are NOT producing.Our recent performances suggest we are in a relegation scrap & looking at who we have to play especially away does not fill me with confidence.Our crowds will probably be down to 2,500 & even less if we are relegated then it would be OAFC RIP !!!!
47 attempts over the two games .... = 1 goal not good is it !
You couldn't fault the effort of the lads last night, but the quality just isn't there. Pleased for Shez, he deserves some success having been booted out of latics. They will go on to win the cup now.
I had a feeling this would happen!All the premature talk of going to Wembley was over the top,especially with the very poor league form!Sheridan has come back to haunt them.
I think it's a scrap against relegation now with very poor crowds till the end of the season.
Further information relevant to the present situation.
Last 16 league matches have produced just 18 points out of a possible 48.
Now to me as a simple layman...something is quite clearly wrong and regardless of the nice friendly atmosphere in and behind the scenes at B.P. this is clearly relegation form.
Last nights dreadful result is susrely as I first stated, R.I.P. our beloved Latics.
This is so sad and once again our live TV performance was awful and has damaged the club even more.
As I have posted so many times we try and save money by buying average strikers.We should have bought decent proven goal scorers from the lower divisions this could have been done with the wembley money.We have now kissed goodbye to at least 500k by not spending 100k.Inept management and poor vision has led to heartbreak.Chesterfield were bottom of the league and we had a 10 day break unlike them.Beaten by a former sacked manager!PD is not good enough.What a waste of a superb opportunity.
Have Your Say
R.I.P.
Match after macth all the same, totally dominant throughout, yet incapable of working the ball through midfield, witn players playing out of position again and again.
Sorry Paul it's siimpy not working.
By Latics Observer @ 30/01/2012 23:22:25