Boss looks to front line flair

forward power... Oumare Tounkara has posed a threat in attack for Paul Dickov’s side.

PAUL Dickov hopes that Athletic’s mix of attacking talent can provide a pick-me-up in tonight’s clash at Sheffield Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).

A goal in the sixth minute of injury time denied Athletic a draw in the clash with Brighton on the South Coast three days ago.

Even so, the way the visitors attacked, with Oumare Tounkara as a focal point and with Chris Taylor buzzing around just behind him in a central role, provided Dickov with plenty of optimism.

Athletic will again take the game to a Wednesday side reeling from four defeats in a row and from vocal fan protests against the running of the club.

“Every time we went forward on Saturday we caused them trouble,” said Dickov, who described a morgue-like atmosphere following the last-gasp disappointment.

“Gus (Poyet, Brighton’s manager) told us after the game that, attacking-wise, we caused them more problems than anybody else has.

“We can change it about as well. Big Oumare has been a handful in recent weeks, and with Chris, Lewi (Alessandra) and Ritchie Jones we can switch it about all the time.

“Teams are quite happy if they know what they are facing. But you put questions in there and it can cause problems, and thankfully we have players who can do that.

“If we put in the level of performance we know we are capable of then we will have a chance.”

Warren Feeney misses out once again as a result of his sore ankle, and the only other change to Athletic’s squad is the addition of utility man Andy Holdsworth, who has yet to see first-team action this season.



Travel warning

ATHLETIC fans are warned that the Snake Pass route is closed between 7pm tonight and 6am the following morning for maintenance work.

The best alternative route is through Greenfield and Holmfirth before taking the Stocksbridge bypass towards Sheffield.