Business as usual for Dickov
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 16 July 2010
Photo: Anthony Miller
CENTRE of attention: Athletic manager Paul Dickov (centre) answers a question from a member of the audience, flanked by his assistant Gerry Taggart (left) and fitness coach Paul Butler.
PAUL DICKOV isn’t about to let his focus waver when it comes to the new season, despite the boardroom upheaval at Athletic.
Simon Blitz and fellow board member and investor Danny Gazal stood down from the board last week, leaving Simon Corney — the new chairman — as the sole remaining member of the band of ‘Three Amigos’ who saved the club from extinction seven years ago.
But as far as the new manager is concerned, speaking at a fans’ forum at the White Hart last night, new season preparations are going ahead as originally planned.
“I had a meeting with Simon Corney about it, and he was very honest and up-front,” Dickov said.
“Since I took the job, he has let me bring in two players (Ritchie Jones and Warren Feeney) I really wanted. Hopefully there will be another couple coming in, be it on permanent or loan.
“From when I took the job to now, nothing has changed at the minute.
“So as disappointing as (the departures) will be for Simon (Corney) and (chief executive) Alan (Hardy) and everyone at the club, I can’t thank those two enough for the backing I have had already which has been great.”
Paul Butler, Athletic’s full-time sports scientist, answered questions on player fitness while new assistant boss Gerry Taggart was also on hand at the event.
And Taggart, a former Barnsley and Bolton centre-back, revealed that he sees winger Chris Taylor and central midfielder Dale Stephens as major players for the coming season.
“Chris Taylor probably has a quiet season last year, by his standards,” Taggart said,
“And the other obvious one for me is Dale Stephens. I think he has the potential to step up one, if not two leagues.
“These are the sort of players we are looking to and there are other players as well. We haven’t seen the best of them yet and it is our job to get that out of them.”
