Hard work paying off, says Dickov

thumbs up . . . Athletic manager Paul Dickov likes what he sees at Brentford on Saturday.

BACK to winning ways, Paul Dickov believes that Athletic’s work ethic is the key to the team’s success.

A 3-1 victory after coming from behind at Brentford came as a result of a high number of shots at goal in an attractive and potent attacking display, with Athletic putting the previous week’s disappointing draw with Leyton Orient behind them.

While admitting to maintaining concerns defensively, Dickov’s Athletic are now seventh in the table after victory at Griffin Park and the main frustration afterwards for the player-boss was being called in for a random drugs test which delayed his press conference.

“I said after last week we needed to get more attempts on target,” said Dickov, the first Athletic manager ever to manage a win at Brentford.

“And to come away from home and get three goals at any time, at any level, is a fantastic achievement.

“All credit to them. They were all down after last week and it felt like a defeat even though we picked up a point.

“The week in training has probably been the best since I took over and that showed.

“We played ever so well, especially in the second half. First half, we were a little bit sloppy and went one-nil down in the worst possible start we could have had.

“We were saying all week to not give away silly goals and when defending to defend properly and then we conceded a goal like that.

“But you have to give them credit. This is a really hard place to come to and pick up a win. Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Everton have been beaten here so to come and win 3-1 after being a goal behind, I am delighted.”

Dickov also said that the work of outstanding front pair Chris Taylor — now the club’s leading scorer on four — and Oumare Tounkara is integral to how he wants his side to perform

“When we play at a high tempo and close people down from the front, it lets us play football.

“We have a lot of energy in the team. We are a young, enthusiastic side and when we do that we are hard to play against.

“On the flip side, it is when we make mistakes and don’t do it like we should, that is when we struggle and we all know that.”