Dickov feels cure is close for set-play epidemic

CONCEDING at set plays is becoming an epidemic for Athletic — but manager Paul Dickov reckons a remedy is not far away.

Analysing the goals that have got past ’keeper Dean Brill in npower League One this season, Dickov has totted up that no less than NINE out of a total of 12 have come from static plays.

The latest was possibly the worst of the lot from a defensive viewpoint, as Leyton Orient's Scott McGleish converted a poor corner which skidded across the six-yard area to claim a point for the visitors at Boundary Park.

Put this right, says the Athletic boss, and success won’t be too far away.

“I was disappointed after the Orient match and the boys were too,” Dickov said, ahead of the game at Brentford tomorrow.

“I was angry because we conceded yet another goal from a set piece.

“We have conceded 12 goals in the league this season and nine of them have been from set pieces.

“So from open play we have conceded three, which tells you we are doing ever so well there.

“We can’t keep on making the same mistakes. The boys know that and it is something we will work on and if we can make our decision-making better we are a good team — we all know that.

“But if we don’t we are going to struggle and the penny has got to drop sooner rather than later.”

Reuben Hazell is set to return from suspension and is likely to slot back into the centre of defence alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto for the game at Griffin Park as Athletic look to claim a first away win since the opening day of the season.

Up against a team which saw off fellow Londoners Charlton last week, Dickov isn’t concentrating the Bees’ disappointing second-bottom position in the table.

“They are a strong team who had a great result against Charlton last week,” he said.

“They beat them 2-1 and played ever so well in the first half.

“We will be going there knowing we are in for a game.

“Brentford is a hard place to go to at any time. Andy Scott (Brentford’s manager) has them playing very well at the moment and they will be hard to break down.

“But as I say every week, we go there to win the game and if we do things right it will give us a very good chance.”

“It will be a test for us. They have players who can score goals and players who are a threat.

“But so have we.”