Dickov’s praise for ‘Big Jean’

EYES ON THE BALL . . . Warren Feeney, in action against Bournemouth on Saturday, went over on his ankle in the League Once clash.

Defender did what we told him to do, says Latics boss

JEAN-YVES Mvoto earned praise from his manager for a sturdy performance as Athletic battled to a home victory over Bournemouth.

Playing alongside Reuben Hazell at the heart of the home side’s defence, 22-year-old Mvoto simplified his game to rarely allow the Cherries forward line much of a sniff at goal from open play.

The on-loan Sunderland player’s efforts served to justify Dickov’s decision to throw him back into the team despite having other options — notably Jason Jarrett and Sean Gregan — available.

“Big Jean was fantastic,” said Dickov, who picked up his third win as Athletic boss thanks to goals from Kieran Lee and Oumare Tounkara.

“He has been in and out of the team since he came, but we spoke to him on the morning of the game and we told him ‘you are a defender — defend’.

“He did that really well.

“Anything in the air and around him, he scares the life out of centre-forwards.

“He did exactly what we told him to do. He is a defender who is six feet four, and if he does that every game, we will be delighted.”

Dickov was also moved to praise the efforts of second-half substitute Lewis Alessandra, whose tricky runs put Bournemouth under pressure.

And he pointed to right-back Lee, who netted the second goal of a very promising season, as being highly influential.

“Kieran was in the box even before his goal and he has great energy levels,” said the Athletic manager.

“He is so quiet off the pitch you don’t know what he is thinking sometimes, but when he gets out there, he is a proper player.

“Kieran’s goal got us back in the game and we always felt there were goals in us. Whether they come from full-back or a centre-forward, we don’t care.”

Striker Warren Feeney hobbled off the field in the dying seconds and the condition of the Northern Ireland international is not known..

“Warren went over on his ankle and we will assess it this week,” Dickov said.



ATHLETIC winger Kirk Millar has flown out to Iceland to link up with Northern Ireland’s under-19s squad.

The 18-year-old is hoping to play in games against the hosts today and on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Millar played for his country’s under-21s in a European Championship qualifier against San Marino and was also an unused substitute against Germany.


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