Dean playing waiting game

Dean Furman

DEAN Furman doesn't mind playing second fiddle for the time being — though he admits he wouldn't mind getting the chance to notch a goal or two.

The 21-year-old former Chelsea trainee has mainly had a holding brief under Athletic boss Dave Penney this season, building up the play from in front of the back four while his central midfield partner roams forward.

That was the case against Huddersfield on Sunday as the South Africa-born Furman, who netted four times in 32 appearances for Coca-Cola League Two side Bradford City while on loan last season, allowed Danny Whitaker to link at the top end of the pitch.

Though he has caught the eye on numerous occasions for Athletic this season, the summer signing from Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers feels he can have more of an impact as the season progresses.

"So far it has gone OK here," said Furman, who has played a part in every one of Athletic's league and cup games this season.

"Obviously I find myself in a new team with new team-mates, but I feel I have settled in well.

"I feel there is a lot more to come from me and as the season progresses, I hope to show that.

"I would like to score a few more goals. It is something I had last season and I need to get forward a little bit more.

"Playing in there with Danny Whitaker, he likes to bomb on and does score a lot of goals so we gave him the license to get forward.

"But whoever is playing in midfield, when one is going forward the other is sitting and doing the defensive part and we are keeping the correct shape, which is better for the team."

As for the 1-0 weekend home defeat to near-neighbours Huddersfield, a game played in heavy wind and rain at Boundary Park, Furman felt that Athletic were slightly unlucky to come out on the losing side.

"I didn't feel there was much in the game at all," he said.

"It was tough to get the ball down and play and when we do that, I think we look a better side.

"Both sides had to deal with the conditions and luckily for them, they nicked the goal when it had 0-0 written all over it.

"Especially after last week, going away to Brighton and getting a really good result, we were looking to come back here and get a little run going again as we had over the past month or so.

"Obviously we lost the game and now we have to pick ourselves up and get back to winning ways, starting with this Saturday."

Leeds United come visiting for what some have dubbed the 'tie of the round' in the FA Cup, with the game being broadcast live on the Internet through the governing body's website.

Furman admits Athletic will be up against it, but hopes to finally enjoy some success in knock-out competition.

Last season, in his first year as a regular first-team professional, he played in only one cup game for Bradford — ironically losing 2-1 at Leeds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy first round.

This year, Furman has enjoyed no luck, starting both games as Athletic went down to 1-0 at Carlisle in the Carling Cup, and 2-1 at home to Accrington in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

"We are disappointed we didn't get through those ties so we want to progress in this one," Furman said.

"The atmosphere was great against Huddersfield. We were disappointed we couldn't give the fans the right result, so hopefully we will get another big crowd on Saturday and put that right.

"Leeds are doing really well in the league at the moment, but the FA Cup has a different atmosphere about it and hopefully our fans can get right behind us and we can put on a really good performance."