Switch on or face the music – boss

PAUL Dickov has insisted the string of goals his side has conceded from set pieces can be attributed to a mental block.

The Scot was at pains to point out that the highly-frustrating and unwanted pattern has nothing to do with the way he prepares his players for a match day.

The Athletic manager called on his charges to up their concentration levels against Plymouth Argyle tomorrow, and finally cut out the mistakes which are threatening to blight a promising npower League One campaign.

He said: “Our Achilles heel came back to haunt us again at Southampton – two set piece goals, one in first-half stoppage time.

“We as a staff do not think it has anything to do with training - it is a mental block the players have now.

“We are switching off and it does not matter who you are playing, if you switch off and don’t pick up your man, you will get punished.

“If it means sticking your head where you don’t particularly want to stick it, and possibly getting hurt in the process, it has to be done.

“We are a good side if we eradicate the silly mistakes. If we can achieve that, we can finish near the top end of the table.”

City Legends day at Boundary Park sees former Blues boss Peter Reid, now in charge of Argyle, face off with former Sky Blues hero Dickov.

“Reidy has put a stamp on them now and Plymouth are enjoying some good form,” said Dickov.

“I have watched them myself and they will give us a right test. They have still got a lot of players at the club from their spell in the Championship, so they are a big threat.

“Their striker Rory Fallon is a handful. He will put himself about, and he plays alongside Bradley Wright-Phillips, who I have known since he was a kid.

“Bradley has a lot of pace and he gambles on reaching balls other forwards would not reach.

“It will be difficult but I believe we can win.”

Dickov suggested immediately after the game at St Mary’s that he might ring the changes for the visit of Argyle.

However, having had a few days to reflect, he is taking a more measured approach.

“I have calmed down now! There could be some changes,” he said.

“If the same players keep making the same mistakes I am not scared to switch things around.

“It is a young team, we are all learning. I am learning every day.”

The Athletic boss is keen to give supporters something to shout about tomorrow.

“It is down to us to put a performance in which gets the fans going, rather the other way around.”