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Dickov urges positive response to defeat
Reporter: CHRIS LYNHAM
Date online: 31 January 2012
ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov challenged his distraught players to pick themselves up and produce a positive reaction after the heartbreak of missing out on a memorable trip to Wembley.
The Scot saw his side spurn a string of chances as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final second leg last night, losing 3-1 on aggregate.
The hosts had 25 attempts on goal — 10 of which were on target — but still failed to book a date at the ‘home of football’.
Jack Lester scored the only goal of the game in the dying minutes following a mix-up between Alex Cisak and Jean Yves-Mvoto.
Dickov praised the effort his men demonstrated throughout the contest, but is already turning his attention to the rest of the season, and
climbing away from their current position of 16th in the npower League One table.
He said: “Obviously it is disappointing to go out at this stage.
“It was a case of ‘everything but’ in the end, having missed so many chances not just in this game but also in the first leg at Chesterfield.
“I am disappointed for the players, the chairman, the fans and everyone connected with the club. The boys gave their all throughout the game, but it did not happen and we have to deal with that.
“It hurts at the moment, but we need to move past that quickly and focus on what comes next, which is the league.
“It should not be hard for the players to pick themselves up because at the end of the day they are professional footballers and this is what they do. They are paid to deal with these situations.”
With more than 40 attempts on goal over the two legs bringing a return of just one goal, focus inevitably turned to Athletic's failings in the final third.
Striker Reuben Reid is edging closer to a return to full fitness, which could provide a breather for out-of-sorts target man Shefki Kuqi.
The giant Finn made a flying start to his Boundary Park career, but has not found the net in two months.
Despite his usual tireless approach and impressive workrate, he cut a frustrated figure against Chesterfield and chastised himself after he bungled a close-range effort in the first half.
Dickov added: “I wish I knew why we are missing so many chances at the moment, particularly over the two legs against Chesterfield.
“The only answer is to work hard on the training ground and on match day.”
Comments
We will have to watch out we don't get drawn into a relegation battle, never mind pushing for promotion now.
In saying that, we should have won as we had enough chances and Chesterfield were hanging on for most of the two games. To create 47 chances in two games and to score one goal is a pretty damning statistic.
Bet your loving this OLDHAM SCOTLAND, but I cannot believe I actually agree with you in respect of Taylor. The other lads did their best, but Taylor has been u.s. all season. However I see you still find nothing good to sat about Latics as usual. It was not to be unfortunately, so get over it and stop your complete negativity towards the club.
The team now need a lift.Remember the impact of Hughes's equalizer?-relegation.Kuqiis experienced and will start scoring again as we are creating, but we need a short term boost.I've been impressed with City's striker Harry Bunn who is available for loan
We can live in hope but hope is all we have with the present set-up. A poor season which has been somewhat overlooked by a few cup games. If one looks over the whole league campaign they will see that there are more questions than answers about Dickov's tactics and man-management.
What is there to love OLDHAM4LIFE?, watching my team going downhill owned. All the promises, very little action. constantly slating the fans for not attending!, but doing very little if anything to get them to BP. mondays game was the perfect chance to entice fans back by getting a decent striker on loan for a month to ensure a final appearance cost approx 10 to 20k for a chance of 250 to 500k
depending on whos figures you take as gospel, the man had a chance to get back some income he moans about having to spend, i personally would have thought that a reasonable gamble, I know its not my money but the bigger picture it could have enticed a few hundred fans back, and give something to the loyal fans still attending this dross!. so could have re-cooped his money twice over. Some people are getting at Dickov but its hard to work with both hands tied and constantly shafted.
Sorry Oldham Scotland, have to disagree with you on a number of points.
Some of the players I believe are having a bad time because they're being played out of their best positions, Taylor...
prime example, and therefore Morais, and we had Parker as full back once, yet not in the team, Mellor not in the team yet bigger clubs want him ? 4.4.1.1 baffles me.
We have a team of battlers but like a ship without rudder, aimless and no one controlling anything.
4 League wins since Oct 1st says it all !
does oldham scotland have anyone in mind when he talks of a decent striker for 10/15grand for the month
its time people got real we ar a league 1 side with league 2 crowds ther are better crouds in the conferance until the ground redevlopment is done things aint gonna change
Have Your Say
Paul, the boys gave their all?, was you at the same match? the first 10-15 mins good football, then from there their heads started to drop, Taylor useless again, Kuqi gave a better performance with the ref, morais what exactly was his role? he spent most of his time falling over himself and the ball,Scapuzzi is far better than the drivel at the club and not resigned?. second half team lost its shape and motivation and no real invention.
By OLDHAM SCOTLAND @ 31/01/2012 16:27:39