I would do the same again, says Dickov

KIERAN LEE . . . left out at Accrington, he is set to return for tomorrow’s home game against Huddersfield.

ATHLETIC boss Paul Dickov insists if time was turned back he would still name the same side that lost to Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.

The Scot, who hopes for a return to winning ways against Huddersfield Town at Boundary Park tomorrow, caused a few raised eyebrows when he left ever-presents Kieran Lee and Dean Furman on the substitutes’ bench for the 3-2 defeat.

Rookie Carl Winchester and Jason Jarrett stepped in, and while Winchester earned plaudits for a performance that defied his inexperience, his colleagues suffered a collective off day as they stumbled to a result which cost the club thousands of pounds in lost revenue.

However, Dickov said: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If I had started with Kieran and Dean it could have been the same outcome, who knows?

“If I had to do it again, I would select the same players.

“I left out our two most consistent players and put in Carl and Jason. But Carl was excellent, and Jason is someone with Championship experience.”

Dickov is demanding a reaction against the Terriers, who occupy second position in the npower League One table.

“To be fair to the boys, every time we have turned in a bad performance this season, they have stepped up in the next game,” he said.

“They are up for this and so am I. Hopefully, there will be a big crowd and a cracking atmosphere.

“When we do the things we are capable of, there is not one team in this league for us to fear.”

Dickov sees a kindred spirit in Huddersfield boss Lee Clark, who is aiming to guide the Yorkshire outfit to an automatic promotion place this term.

“What you will see is two managers and teams who like to play the game the right way,” said the Athletic manager.

“It should be a good footballing contest.

“We both have a winning mentality. Clarky is doing a good job and he has a lot of options at his disposal.

“But it is down to us to go out there and stifle them, but at the same time play our own way and get at them.”

Athletic striker Warren Feeney suffered a back injury after landing awkwardly in training, and is set to have a scan.

He is a doubt for tomorrow’s match, although Dickov is cautiously optimistic that it isn’t too serious.

Fellow forward Dean Kelly has been suffering with a groin strain, so Ryan Brooke, who impressed for the reserves in midweek, will hope to figure in the manager’s thoughts.