We can go up — Stephens

DALE Stephens has talked up Athletic’s chances of promotion from npower League One.

DALE Stephens has dared to utter the ‘P’ word.

Athletic boss Paul Dickov has maintained a wary stance when it comes to assessing the team’s goals for this season, stating that the aims will stay between the coaching staff and the players.

With Athletic buoyant after picking up a win in the capital against Brentford, though, Stephens — who used his captain’s privilege to grab the ball and strike home the final goal from the penalty spot in a 3-1 victory at Griffin Park — sees no reason to hide away his views on the team’s chances.

“There is a great belief in the changing room,” said Stephens.

“The gaffer has come in and instilled that belief into us and we are all pulling in the same

direction.

“We all think we can go up this season, there is no doubt about that. We have the quality in the changing room as well as leaders in there.

“It is a good combination to have and I think we have got a great chance.”

Stephens will retain the captaincy against Colchester tomorrow if Reuben Hazell fails to recover in time and is confident of a good result.

“Colchester have had a good start to the season with only one defeat,” he added.

“They are a big team and it is going to be a tough game. But if we can stick to our game plan and do what we are good at, passing the ball around, then they won’t get near us.”

Athletic’s best performances this season have come when three-goal Stephens and Dean Furman have been on top of their games in central midfield.

For his part, Stephens is clearly delighted to be playing for the club at which he signed a three-year contract extension in August.

“I am happy to be playing here and I love my football at the moment,” he added. “Hopefully that can

continue.

“As well as the goals from midfield Oumare (Tounkara) will get his scoring boots on and Feens (Warren Feeney) will as well.”

Feeney is likely to land a place on the substitutes’ bench after playing in two matches inside five days for Northern Ireland.

Also back from international duty and available for selection is young winger Kirk Millar.

But Rodrigue Dikaba picked up an injury in the abductor and groin area while with DR Congo which rules him out.

Colchester manager John Ward is without long-term injured midfielder John-Joe O’Toole and defender Morten Knudsen, with former Athletic left-back Marc Tierney also out with a dislocated shoulder.

Anthony Wordsworth could come back into a position on the left side of attack in place of Ian Henderson, as Ward bids to bounce back from the disappointment of a 3-0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town.

“Paul has done really, really well there so far,” said Ward of his opposite number.

“It’s a difficult game and we have to make sure that we give a good account of ourselves.

“Paul is a new manager starting out and if he’s still doing well in 20 years time, I’m sure he’ll be really pleased.

“The hallmark of a good side is to bounce back from setbacks and there’s no reason that that can’t happen tomorrow.”