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Dickov set to stay on
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date online: 28 January 2013
THE FUTURE of Athletic manager Paul Dickov was being hammered out today.
Chairman Simon Corney suggested this morning the manager’s job is safe “for the time being” after Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup in brilliant style at Boundary Park.
Pointing to the run of seven defeats in the last eight npower League One matches - which has left Athletic perched only one point above the relegation places - Corney said speculation on Dickov’s position was a natural consequence of that barren period.
But while talk was widespread before the Liverpool tie that the Scot was set to depart Athletic, depending on the result of discussions between manager and chairman today, he may be granted a stay of execution.
“I think after the run we have had, when we have drawn one game in eight and lost the other seven, there is always going to be speculation,” said Corney.
“We would like to keep Paul. The fans want Paul to stay. But there is pressure, it’s inevitable. But I think Paul is okay for the time being.
“Paul and I have a great working relationship and he puts pressure on himself. If you lose seven out of eight games then you’re going to be under pressure.
“Hopefully this will be the kick–start and we won’t be talking about Paul’s job again.”
Athletic’s players have come out strongly in support of Dickov staying, with Robbie Simpson revealing the entire squad is behind their boss: “We are behind the manager all the way, without a shadow of doubt,” he said.
“It is a thankless task for him at the moment, with the lack of staff around him. He is doing everything, from match reports right the way through to picking the team.
“He is doing everything on his own and that sums him up as a person.”
While Athletic were enjoying the occasion at Boundary Park, regular captain Dean Furman had double reason to celebrate after he helped South Africa top Group ‘A’ to reach the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations.
Furman played for the full 90 minutes as Bafana drew 2-2 with Morocco in dramatic fashion, a result which secured qualification.
South Africa were heading out of the competition after a Mehdi Namli goal put Morocco 2-1 up in the 82nd minute in Durban.
But Siyabonga Sangweni netted four minutes later to dump the North Africans out of the tournament.
ATHLETIC’S reward for the historic victory yesterday is a home tie against Everton in the fifth round of the FA Cup, which will take place on the weekend of February 16 and 17.
It provides an opportunity to complete a Merseyside double, over opponents who were defeated by Athletic in the 2007-08 competition thanks to Gary McDonald’s superb goal at Goodison Park.
Athletic won £90,000 in FA prize money for seeing off Liverpool, in addition to a £135,850 reward for having the game televised live.
In tonight’s paper: special 12-page victory supplement with masses of stories player comments and pictures. Also available in the eChron (click tab above)
Comments
all those doubters lay off pd,i remember big joe getting abuse the first 2 yrs and he deserved it.but he had the ability of finding players on the cheap.pd has the same talent give him time.and sundays result will once again the norm
I could not be prouder well done lads and well done dickov but what as been learnt here! A flat 4-4-2 formation just does not work! Smith deserves more time on the pitch! And guys you just beat Liverpool with out the so called captain marvel furman! If I were you corney I would sell furman and get a decent centre back and a winger or midfielder with the proceeds furman is the most over rated player we have and is never around when we need him!
If he's staying, get him the staff and some more players!
its the least the man deserves. another chance to put things right in the league after that victory.
The vote of confidence? I read several reports today where SC stated that he would not commit on PD's future and mentioned the poor league form and also that he was a friend of PDs. He would not say if PD would still be here for the Everton game and said there were important games before then. Too right! SC also stated that PD might even be poached away by other clubs. Lots of unanswered questions about PD's future. I remain convinced he is not the man for taking OAFC forward.
It's crucial that Dickov has a colleague of the right calibre and experience. Would Andy Ritchie be willing to come back on that basis? Maybe PD as assistant We all like PD but he's made some poor errors of judgement. Like appointing Taggart. And how many postings of mine have there been on this site PLEADING for Smith to be given an extended run which has only happened because Derbyshire has gone? Yesterday was the vindication.
There's no doubt he'd be on his way had we lost yesterday. Proves what we can do but league form will decide his fate. Watched it again when I got home, Boundary Park full is a great sight.
After the momentous victory of yesterday and the plethora of media reports regarding the fate of Dickov plus his relationship with S.C. comes the harsh facts of the day. More injuries to an already depleted squad, still no assistance for the manager, no mention of any incoming players be it loans or permanent deals and of course will Dickov still have a job after the crunch game against Walsall? The elation of the cup win will disappear if we do not get a positive next weekend.
Great game and Great result but are we going to secure Wabara on loan for the rest of the season? We need him and lets face it with the money coming in from his great cup run surly Mr Corney can bring him back with a couple of more as well
@deanmo: Once again I'll ask the question that you refuse to answer 'who is the manager to take us forward?'
I respect your opion that you don't think Dickov is, but who out there would take on the challenge?
Leave PD alone - let him get on with it. If he goes it may well be upwards as he is one of the favourites for the Huddersfield job. Who would we get instead? We certainly can't afford anyone with past credentials - it would have to be a has-been (like Dave Penney) or a complete rookie and then we have to go through the next 3 years of someone learning their trade and being subject to more of the negative hot air written in these posts.
Get behind the team, the manager and the club.
Yesterday's result goes to show what this group of players can achieve when properly motivated, unfortunately for PD I fear it was the chance to play Liverpool and being on TV which was the motivation, not the words from the manager. If SC is not going to sack him now then a bad result on Saturday will surely seal his fate.
If the players show the same grit and determination as we did on Sunday we will stay up. Lets get Walsall beat on Saturday and take it from there, action stations for all. I think we need to employ a defence coach as well and soon!
Ammypammy - you read it right - the fans want Paul to stay. As you are not, keep your thoughts to yourself and get off his and Oldham Athletic's back.
As an Huddersfild fan you must be joking.I would him not to be in our 1 st 100 for our manager.
Apart from the cup this season has been poor and although the team were motivated yesterday and showed what they are capable of, I feel that following SC's comments today PD's tenure will not continue for much longer.I have been a fan of PD's and admire what he is doing to our club with very little monetary input,I believe that if he does go it will be to a higher division club and Jose will go with him, also who will take the poison chalice of BP and no money, no investment?
I think you'll find Nigel Adkins is favourite for the Huddersfield job.
"Hopefully this will be the kick–start." “That's been said every time Latics have won a game in the last two years.” You’re exaggerating again, ammy. While you feign indignation I suspect Corney is hopeful of a lot of things, not least getting some of TTA money back. It’s also best if Corney doesn’t resort to something really controversial, like – ‘the win was just a one off, I’m not hopeful.’
Nigel Adkins and Owen Coyle are the joint favourites (according to tonights reports) with PD mentioned as being in the frame(fourth I believe). Dean Hoyle (HTFC Chairman) is very ambitious so any new manager at the John Smiths Stadium will be in a temporary post.
The way I interpret Corney's statement is that he has given PD a month to turn things round. I can't see an assistant being brought in only to lose his job in four weeks time. PD will get money for a central midfielder and a striker and the game with Walsall will be looked at very carefully. If the players revert to their normal league form then PD will be gone.
....how would you know Ammy, you never turn up...!
Mark H - "who out thre would take on the challenge?" - dozens of managers, both new and experienced, all of whom would be desperate to get back into league management. As PD himself said there are only 92 of these jobs so to suggest that there would be no interest is naive; dont forget they had dozens of appluications (and interviewed 10) when Pwenney left - and he had only been given a year. Sunday, whilst amazing, showed PDs inability to motivate his players for bread and butter league games
lsandy - "how would you know Ammy, you never turn up." Ha. How would you know, dandy, you head is up Corney's ...
Oldham4life - You don't speak for everyone. Read other comments. Look at the empty seats.
graham-walker - your memory is playing tricks. Who criticised Royle for finishing his first season 7th in Division 2, the highest Latics league position for 53 years and which no manager since has come close to?
Keep the faith guys. Its not life and death you know. Come to Walsall on Saturday and scream your heads off. You might just get your wishes. I want to keep PD until the end of the season and see where we are then. The players have to play. PD can only do so much. STOP MOANING, we need to all be in this together.......
isandy that was frizzels team dont you remember 3000 for league match .10000 for jimmys testimonial a few days later
Have Your Say
"The fans want Paul to stay." Do they?
"Hopefully this will be the kick–start." That's been said every time Latics have won a game in the last two years.
By ammypam @ 28/01/2013 11:57:38