Licence to roam

Paul Black.

ATHLETIC defender Paul Black has praised manager Paul Dickov for giving him a new lease of life this season.

The left back is revelling in the Scot’s attacking philosophy which allows him to travel up the touchline and feed the forwards.

Black’s new-found freedom is in stark contrast to last term, when he was restricted by a more safety-first policy under the guidance of Dave Penney.

“I am loving my football again, this is probably the most consistent run of games I have had in my career,” he said on the eve of tomorrow’s npower League One clash at home to Leyton Orient.

“At the moment everything is going well and I have managed to keep hold of my place.

“I have got forward a lot more this season to put balls in to the box.

“Last season I wasn’t allowed to do that, I had to just concentrate on defending. Now I feel I can express myself.

“Kieran Lee has been making a lot of runs from the right back position as well. We like the system.

“It is also a bonus to see us playing with a relatively settled back four because it helps us to gel.

“Hopefully we can keep the consistency going at the back for the rest of the season.”

Black believes dressing room harmony is the vital ingredient in the recipe to success.

He added: “Everyone gets on here. All top football clubs need that sort of atmosphere.”