Gregan return boosts Latics
Reporter: CHRIS LYNHAM
Date published: 04 October 2010
ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov was handed a timely boost when club skipper Sean Gregan made his first appearance of the season in the 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.
Gregan, who has been sidelined by a knee injury, replaced hamstring strain victim Jason Jarrett with six minutes of the game remaining.
The centre back received a huge cheer from the Boundary Park faithful, who saw him bring a physical presence to the hosts and deliver one or two telling passes during his cameo.
And with Dickov left fuming at his side for conceding another goal from a corner, the return of such an influential character at the back will give the Scot food for thought, should Gregan stay fit.
Dickov said: “The big man has been struggling with injury, and the form of Jean-Yves Mvoto and Reuben Hazell has kept him out.
“It is good to see him back on the pitch because he has worked hard.”
Chris Taylor, who scored Athletic’s goal against Orient, echoed his manager’s sentiments.
“Sean is a big presence for the team,” said Taylor.
“The more men like him we can have on board, the better.”
Taylor was far from shocked by Dickov’s angry reaction to dropping two points against an Orient team that posed little goalscoring threat.
He said: “I am not surprised that the manager is upset, we can’t give goals away like that.”
While fans have been encouraged by the team spirit displayed by a relatively young Athletic team, some supporters will feel experienced heads such as Gregan and Dickov himself are going to be required on the pitch, to help eradicate the lack of concentration that has seen set-piece goals conceded against Peterborough, Brighton and Hove Albion and Orient recently.
Dickov has not ruled out a return to the first team squad as he battles back from a series of minor niggles.
“I need to see how I get on in training this week in order to gauge how close I am to full fitness,” he said. “We will see.”
Athletic’s next game is at Brentford, who climbed off the bottom of the npower League One table with a 2-1 home win over Charlton.
