Boot on the other foot

PAUL DICKOV

A VERY different sort of challenge awaits Athletic tomorrow.

In preparing to face the likes of Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough away from home in npower League One, Paul Dickov’s team have been cast firmly as second favourites.

That suits Dickov fine, serving to insulate the team from over-ripe expectations.

But the boot will be on the other foot when Athletic take on Accrington Stanley (3pm kick-off) in the FA Cup.

Facing a cash-strapped side who only entered the Football League four years ago, the expectation is for Athletic to produce a professional performance and reach round two.

Easy words to write, but not so simple to put into action according to the former Manchester City striker, who is looking forward to seeing how his side react to the pressure.

“It will be good to see how we handle it,” said Dickov, who was hoping to re-sign Cedric Evina on loan today after the Arsenal player’s deal expired following the Rochdale wash-out.

“Probably in a lot of games this season, people looking in from the outside raise their eyebrows when we win a game. It makes me laugh.

“Cup competitions are all about giant-killers and the fairytale stories of beating bigger clubs.

“So it will be good for us tomorrow.

“They are decent. They play good football and it is a tight pitch, but I want us to go there with a spring in our step and possibly a bit of arrogance, in the right way.”

The Crown Ground is likely to boast a good atmosphere tomorrow and Dickov, who said Stanley boss John Coleman has done a “great job” with limited resources, hopes his team can react in the right way in order to progress in an important competition.

Athletic have, though, failed to progress in nine of their last 10 cup ties.

“It is the biggest cup competition in the world and there is always excitement when the FA Cup comes around,” Dickov added.

“Football-wise, confidence-wise and financially it is a big one for us.

“We have been disappointed with the first two cup competitions we have had so far this year, going out in both in the first round, so I want to make sure that doesn’t happen tomorrow.”

Should Evina be given the green light to play, he is likely to pushed up in a left-wing role in front of Paul Black, as he was in the abandoned game at Rochdale.

“Cedric gives us a bit of balance down there with two left-footers,” said Dickov.

“He gives us natural width and is very quick. We don’t have a lot of pace in the side and he will stretch teams.”

ATHLETIC have 200 tickets remaining for tomorrow’s game which can be bought from the club shop until noon tomorrow. The new club shop in Spindles will be officially opened at 3.30pm on Monday.