Dickov applauds ‘excellent reaction’

Photo: Vincent Brown

AERIAL ACTION: Young Athletic striker Ryan Brooke challenges for a header against Wigan last night.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Athletic 1, Wigan 1

THE original ‘Latics’ produced a sparkling performance against their upstart Premier League namesakes to further enhance the optimistic glow currently surrounding Boundary Park.

The setback in a 2-0 defeat against Falkirk at the weekend was quickly forgotten against a Wigan side packed with big names, as a determined home team pressed effectively and used the ball intelligently.

Dale Stephens’ superbly-controlled volley was the highlight for Paul Dickov’s side, just nudging ahead of the new player-boss’s first appearance in an Athletic shirt as the team gained a deserved draw.

Typically busy, the 37-year-old was lucky not to get booked for a late challenge on Wigan’s James McCarthy shortly after emerging onto the field to acclaim in the 73rd minute.

But Dickov’s mere presence reinvigorated an Athletic side who were well on top for most of the first half before being pressed back by Roberto Martinez’s talented outfit after the break.

Dickov was well pleased with a work-out in which a whole host of his players struck claims for starting spots ahead of the first npower League One game of the season at Tranmere on Saturday, August 7.

“I got everything I was looking for, especially after the first half (against Falkirk) on Saturday,” said Dickov.

“We had a chat about it and the players all know what I expect of them and what they expect of each other as well.

“There was an excellent reaction in training and here they were really top class.

“Yet again they have set the standard — I haven’t, Gerry (Taggart) hasn’t and Dux (Lee Duxbury) hasn’t.

“They have set it themselves through this performance.

“We are big on stats and in the first half we had up to 13 crosses to their two or three and it was similar in terms of shots.

“What we are trying to emphasise is that if we are on the front foot and we win the ball high up the pitch, then we will get our crosses and shots away.

“That is what we want. I want them to work hard and to play football as well.

“The first half shows that if you do that properly, even against a very good Premier League side, the result is there for everyone to see.

“If we press people like that in our division, we are going to have half a chance.”

As for his own role in proceedings, which included a pair of robust challenges on Wigan players, Dickov reckons it will take time to get fully up to speed.

“I was slightly late on their kid with the first one but I think that was maybe a case of not enough training and match practise,” he added.

“The second one, I don’t know why their guy fell down to be truthful.

“I enjoyed it though. I have a way to go to get up to the other lads’ fitness levels but I will keep plugging away and doing my best and if needed, I will be there.”

A bright start from the home team saw Ryan Brooke turn sharply before troubling Ali Al-Habsi with a low shot which the goalkeeper spilled before quickly recovering to dive on top of the ball.

The opening goal arrived on the quarter-hour. Ritchie Jones’s cross from the right was only half-cleared and as the ball dropped from a height, Stephens kept his eye on it to methodically stroke it low and into the left corner of the net.

Reuben Hazell could have made it 2-0 soon after, heading over from a Stephens corner, but there was no mistaking a quality opening from Dickov’s men.

The impressive and tricky Victor Moses got his head to an Emmerson Boyce cross but couldn’t generate enough power to trouble Dean Brill in the home goal and that was as good as it got for rusty Wigan in the opening period.

Making six changes at half-time, Martinez’s men stormed out of the blocks and were level after 47 minutes.

Substitute Jordi Gomez confidently converted a penalty low to Brill’s right after being fouled at the far post by a stretching Paul Black.

It really should have been 2-1 to the visitors when fellow replacement, £7million striker Mauro Boselli, contrived to smash a shot against the crossbar when played in by Gomez.

And the same player went close again soon after, halted only by a superb recovery tackle by the steadying figure of Jason Jarrett.

Dickov’s cameo aside, there was one main incident to report at either end as an entertaining game fizzled out.

Boselli reacted well to a sliced Lauren Merlin shot to produce a volley which brought a smart reaction save from Brill, before Pawel Abbott’s effort from the edge of the area forced Mike Pollitt to palm the ball narrowly wide of his left-hand post.