Keep your foot on gas, says boss

REAL DEAL . . . Athletic’s recent display against Notts County prompted opposition manager Craig Short to liken their football to that of the Galacticos of Real Madrid. His tongue-in cheek remark was taken up by Charlton last week, who referred to Athletic as the "Galacdickovs". So Athletic has had T-shirts printed. And yes, you can buy one in the Latics shop. Modelling them are (l-r) Dean Furman, Ritchie Jones and Reuben Hazell.

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov expects every bit as good a performance from his side tomorrow as he got at Charlton.

Shorn of the suspended Jason Jarrett — Jean -Yves Mvoto is likely to step in for his first npower League One start for the club — Dickov leads his side against Yeovil at Boundary Park looking for a third win of the season.

In second place after the highly-creditable draw at The Valley last Saturday, Athletic take on a Glovers outfit many expect to be beaten with ease.

But Dickov isn't having any of that. Though he felt his team were good enough to have claimed a first-ever win at Charlton, his message to the players is clear: the most important fixture is always the next one.

"I was over the moon with us at Charlton," said Dickov, who could opt to start Warren Feeney in place of Djeny Bembo-Leta.

"The performance and some of the football we played was outstanding.

"I was disappointed with the draw though, as I felt we were the better team.

"We went there and took the game to them and they were very complimentary to us after the game as well.

"But the first thing we said to the boys on Monday morning was 'well done, but that is gone now — don't let complacency set in'.

"They have set their standards and with all successful teams at any level, there are games that could potentially bite you in the bum and we have got to stand up to that."

The window for long-term loans and permanent deals expires on Tuesday and while Dickov is keen to improve his squad if it is possible, he will be content if there are no further players coming in.

"I am happy with the squad, though I wouldn't be doing my job properly if I wasn't looking to try and improve it," he added.

"Come deadline day when the window shuts, if I have to go with what I have got then I will be delighted.

"The players have shown me they have got a hunger and massive desire to be successful and that is all I can ask of them."

Athletic (probable): Brill, Mvoto, Holdsworth, Hazell, Jones, Kelly, Furman, Dikaba, Taylor, Stephens, Bembo-Leta, Lee, Tounkara, Black, Smalley, Millar, Feeney, Ollerenshaw.



OLDHAM Council has given its approval for tomorrow’s match to go ahead, following an inspection of work carried out after the fire which caused £40,000 damage last Sunday.